Did you know that Alpine goats produce milk that is devoid of the characteristic bad odor? In the review you will learn about this breed, you will see representatives of Alpine goats and goats in the photo and video.
farmer-online.com
Alpine goat breed
The content of the article:
The origin of the breed and its productivity
The Alpine goat breed originated in distant Switzerland, where goats grazed in the Alpine fields. But already in 1911, the breed is spreading throughout the world. In the twentieth century, the first individuals were brought to the farms of Russia, where the breed took root.
The breed itself is primarily dairy. The milk of Alpine animals reaches 6 percent fat content, and the total annual milk yield is 1,6 tons of milk, which is much higher than that of Nubian goats. The record was set in the United States of America, it was possible to achieve an indicator of 2,2 tons of milk per calendar year.
The palatability of the milk of Alpine artiodactyls deserves special attention. The phrase “Alpine milk” is associated with the purity of the mountain air, the endless green meadows. This is the product you get when purchasing an Alpine goat. It does not have a characteristic goat smell, children love this milk.
You will not be able to avoid an unpleasant goat smell in milk if the goat is not purebred and has impurities in the pedigree.
How much milk does an average Alpine goat give – more than 5 liters, of course, subject to proper care and good nutrition. In productivity, Alpine goats are not inferior to Saanen goats. Due to its delicate creamy taste and dense texture, milk serves as the basis for making homemade cheese and cottage cheese.
Alpine goat exterior
The description of the breed suggests a variety of coat colors, the color range is wide – from light white to black, and from gray to dark chestnut. Alpine goats are graceful, weighing up to 65 kilograms.
The Alpine ibex has record dimensions – length 150 cm, height 90 cm and weight more than 100 kilograms. These animals are famous for their multiple pregnancies, in one round your farm will be replenished with several goats at once.
Speaking about the characteristics of the breed, the following indicators can be noted:
- Torso. Alpine goats are large animals with a strongly built skeleton, a developed chest, a wide and straight back;
- Coloring. The peculiarity of the breed is the color of mixed colors, starting from the ears and ending with the lower part of the abdomen, the coat is dark (almost black), the rest of the areas have a gray-chestnut color;
- The nature of the wool. The breed standard is long hair on the back and on the hips, and short hair on the rest of the areas.
- Muzzle. The head is light, medium in size, straight, the ears are erect;
- Udder. The organ is voluminous with elongated well-developed nipples;
- Hooves. Strong, thin, rather firm.
Features of the breed
A distinctive feature of the Alpine goat breed is versatility. They take the lead in terms of productivity, while their milk from Alpine goats has a unique delicate taste. Also, the goat is extremely fertile and ideal for crossing with other breeds, thereby increasing their productivity, milk yield and fat content of milk. With the help of selection work by Alpiyka, the population of goats of the Czech breed was saved.
The nature of the animal deserves special attention. Alpine goats are calm, not aggressive, make contact, they are recommended for those who have children – frequent guests in the courtyard with goats.
On the other hand, Alpiyka is a leader not only in terms of the amount of milk produced, but also likes to be the first in relation to her relatives of another breed. Breeders have repeatedly observed how representatives of the Alpine breed did not allow their competitors to the feeder. From this we can conclude that these animals will not disappear from hunger, they will be full and satisfied.
Pros and cons – opinion of breeders
Farmers attribute to the advantages of the breed, first of all, the unpretentiousness of people from the Alps. And this applies to both food and conditions of detention. The Alpine goat is one of those who quickly adapts to climatic changes and new living conditions.
For a dairy breed, the following feature of the Alpines is extremely important – long lactation up to three years. That will allow you to get the most out of the animal. Alpine goats, judging by the reviews of the owners, are also loved because all the kids born have a different color, French aesthetes call newborn animals “multicolor”.
Rural goats
Any breed of goats, one way or another, has its drawbacks, the Alpine breed of goats is no exception to the rule. Despite its friendliness, the goat is quite stubborn and selfish, which is similar to its relative – the Nubian goat.
Alpine goat breed in Russia
If you set out to acquire a representative or representative of the Alpines, you will certainly encounter a number of difficulties. Firstly, finding a purebred Alpika is not so easy. Unscrupulous breeders cross the Alpine goat with local goats and pass off the kids as blood Alpine goats. Having bought such a mestizo, you will not get the expected milk yield, and the taste of milk will most likely disappoint you.
Secondly, buying Alpiyka in Russia is an expensive purchase. Fans of a thoroughbred goat should be ready to pay 15000 – 50000 rubles for it.
But there is a completely logical explanation for such a high price – in order to breed thoroughbred animals, you first need to invest in them: money, labor and a piece of your soul, provide care, complete fortified nutrition, as well as timely medical control. This forms the cost of Alpiyka.
In Russia, you can find an Alpine goat in nurseries located in the south of the country, most likely in the North Caucasus. It is important to approach the choice of an animal with all responsibility. Study the exterior of the breed in photos and videos, ask exciting questions on the Internet forum, don’t be too lazy to drive around several farms, talk with farmers, be sure to take goat milk not a sample to make sure its quality, but rather use the help of a professional goat breeder.
If your farm has replenished with residents, it is important to enjoy your animals, and they will please their owners with the quantity and quality of products and, of course, with their beauty.
