The Boer goat is a species 100% fleshy, is an indigenous type of improved goat influenced by some European breeds, angora goats, and Indica goats, long ago. They have a capacity to adapt to various climates and productive systems, they have great resistance to diseases. Her grazing habits include a wide variety of plants. Mainly shrub species and are able to graze during the hottest hours of the day. Unlike what happens with dairy goats.
The Boer goat is a breed from South Africa. Where it originated making a selection of creole animals and was influenced by some European breeds, Angora goats, and Indian goats. The objective of this selection was to obtain a beef-producing animal that was very rustic and adapted to the varied environmental conditions.
And that at the same time had a good rate of birth, survival and produce a good channel. Its name derives from the Dutch word “Boer”, which means farm. At the beginning of century XX, began to appear animals similar to those of today when the creators of the zone of the Cape. South Africa began to select it in order to develop it as a meat-producing race.
Today it is distributed in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Mexico, and to a lesser degree Brazil and Argentina.
Characteristics of Boer Goat
The Boer goat is a primary meat goat with several adaptations to the regions in which it has been developed. This species has horns his ears dropped and shows a variety of color patterns. It is a goat primarily meat with several adaptations to the regions in which it has developed. It has a good speed in growth and development, good body shape and is quite rustic.
This allows it to adapt to different ecosystems from hot or cold climes to desert and tropical, and this breed has a high resistance to diseases. It produces weaning rates of over 160% and is a low-spending animal that produces enough milk to raise a kid who has early maturity. You May Also Like To Read Pygmy Goat
Productive records indicate that exceptional individuals are capable of daily gains of 200 g / day. More normal productions are in the range of 150-170 g / day. The ovulation rate of Boer goats fluctuates between 1 and 4 with an average of 1.7. It is common to find breeding rates of 200% for this breed. Puberty is achieving reach early, generally at 6 months of age for males and 10 to 12 for females.
Morphological Details
- Horns: Redodos and backward.
- Ears: Medium size and pendants.
- Profile: Convex.
- Ubre: Well developed.
- Color: White on the head and slightly dark.
- Height: Females 77 cm and males 85 cm.
- Weight: Adult females 80 to 90 Kg (at birth 3.7 kg) and adult males from 90 to 120 kg (at weaning 23 kg).
- Duration of lactation: 120 days.
- Percentage of fat: 5.6%.
- Aptitude: Producer of meat.
- Climate: Semi-tropics or arid.
Food
The Boer Goat is used very effectively in South Africa, in combination with cattle. Because it feeds mainly on shrubs (70%) and has a limited impact on grasses. Boer goats are scouts by nature, they like to eat shrubs, broadleaf weeds, and grass.
Usage
The Boer Goat’s usefulness is for the production of its meat. Boer goat meat distinguishes itself by being also succulent meat, fine-grained, very tender, with low levels of intramuscular fat, with a noticeable soft taste.
Special Feature
The Boer goat also has an extended breeding season that can make it possible to obtain 3 breeds every 2 years. This species is seasonal polyester mainly by the photoperiod, begin their reproductive period after the summer solstice With a peak of sexual activity in autumn, significantly decreasing the presentation of these in winter and spring.
Boer goats are generally very good mothers, it requires a minimum of attention from the owners, however, this is not always true when they are primulas. From their experimental farms, they have crossed goats of the race Murciano-Granadina the most extended in the milk field with stallions of race Boer, originating from South Africa and specialized in the meat production.
The result has been the obtaining of cross kids with a high meat potential and a significant economic improvement. It is good when a goat has a single goat because it will be born large and will develop formidable, for having his mother’s milk just for him. You May Also Like To Read Aspromonte Goat.
When a goat has two or three offspring, it will be necessary to help feed them (feed the smallest goat with 2, 3 or 4 ounces of milk every 3 hours). Not always do the kids accept the bottle and although they are hungry, they will not want to take the milk in an artificial way.
Conclusion
With an understanding of the Boer goat, it’s easy to see why they are prized for their size, rapid weight gain, carcass quality, hardiness and docility. These qualities can be passed on even when Boer bucks are bred to does of other breeds. They also have a reputation for kidding as often as two times in three years, frequently bearing twins and sometimes triplets. If this guide has helped you understand more about how these amazing animals work then we would love your feedback!
As A References: Wikipedia
