Kiko Goat: Beefier Dairy Goats

Kiko goat It is a native New Zealand, its name comes from the Maori word Kiko, which means meat. The breed was a development from wild goats that could be found in numerous places in New Zealand. Also, this breed was resistant but was considered a small breed and had little production of meat or milk.

The Kiko race was established by crosses with Toggenburg, Saanen, and Anglo-Nubian males, with more crosses in the second and third generations. After four generations of selective breeding, a remarkable improvement in live weight and animal performance was achieved. In 1986 the Kiko race was created. In New Zealand, control of the breed has been maintained with the original developers.

Kiko Goat

However, it was exported to the E.E.U.U. in the 1990s, and there are now Kiko breeders in that country.

Characteristics of Kiko Goat

Kiko goat has a primordial characteristic and it is its high resistance and also that it can gain weight consecutively. In New Zealand, this breed is known as a highly resistant breed. They call those that go anywhere and eat anything. You may also like to read Kutchi Goat.

This means that they have resistance to walk and to resist eating under precarious conditions in food. Kiko is a large frame, usually white. Although there are many Kikos goats that carry color genes and enter the race. And they get to produce enough fur which extends in layers and grows in summer.

While the adult males of this breed show substantial characteristic horns and are of a courageous disposition. The mature women of this breed are large, feminine and usually have good udders. Kiko goats are known to be great walkers and will spread widely when direct in the open field.

This breed is very resistant and is not affected by substantial climatic variation and is also in both mountainous and arid terrain. Perhaps the defining characteristic of the class is the price of growth.

The goats when they are born already come in medium size, but with considerable vigor. From birth to weaning Kiko shows a rapid growth at least equivalent to the meat goat class. The males have good character but can be aggressive. While females are known to be good milk producers, which allows feeding births that are multiple.

The animals grow relatively quickly to size without much conditional power, which is one of the main strengths of the breed. The reputation of the goats Kiko affirms that the animal can live almost anywhere to eat almost nothing and still achieve a desirable size and produce good quality meat.

This is because these goats have good feed conversion and efficiently convert more energy into meat production. It is a highly resistant breed and has a low production cost. These characteristics are what make Kiko goats so desirable for farmers besides the production of meat. You may also like to read Surti Goat.

Food

Kiko goat does not have great food requirements. It can feed in open spaces directly with grazing. And they feed on grasses, weeds, and trees that they find in their environment, the best thing is that they take advantage of the food and transform it into meat.

Usage

Kiko goat is used mainly for crossing with other species. As well as they are appreciated for the solidity and profitability of meat animals. While the breed was created and solidify in New Zealand at first, these goats are currently present on farms in many places, especially the E.EU.U.

For the commercial producer of goat meat breed Kiko would be an ideal maternal breed for crossing with males of the Boer breed to produce offspring market. The problem is that Kiko goat is still scarce and expensive.

The wild goats of New Zealand were descendants of goats very similar to the goats brought in Arkansas North and South Missouri by the first settlers of the eastern United States. The dairy goat breeds brought in Arkansas North and South Missouri are the same as those used to develop the Kiko breed.

You can find flocks of goats in Spain in that area are equal to Kiko for robustness and nursery capacity. You may also like to read Marwari Goat.

Special Feature

Their ability to survive and thrive under difficult conditions makes many people consider that these goats are a very lucrative breed. While all goats can eat, not all goats reach an edible size quickly.

And many require large quantities of food to reach that size. Kiko goats were created to avoid these problems in the production of goat meat. And it is argued that race provides the maximum benefit with the minimum contribution of resources, such as time, land, or food.

FAQ

What is a Kiko goat?

Kiko goats are a breed of domestic goat native to New Zealand. They were developed in the 1980s by Garrick and Anne Batten, who were looking for an inexpensive, hardy breed of goat that could thrive in their country’s harsh terrain and climate.

How do I care for a Kiko goat?

Caring for a Kiko goat requires a commitment to providing them with the best possible care. First and foremost, you should ensure your goat has access to fresh, clean water at all times. It’s also essential to provide your Kiko with plenty of quality hay and pasture grass—at least one-third of their diet should be grass or other green plants. In addition, it’s important to provide minerals and salt blocks, as well as supplements like vitamin E and selenium if necessary.

Where can I buy a Kiko goat?

If you are interested in purchasing a Kiko goat, there are several places that offer them. You can find Kiko goats through many different sources, including local farms, online breeders and classifieds websites.

Conclusion

To summarize, the Kiko goat is renowned for its high resistance to difficult environmental conditions and illnesses. It has a large body, with male Kikos featuring prominent horns and female Kikos having good udders. This breed is also adaptable, making it suitable for most climates, ideal for beginners in farming but also delighting experts who appreciate its hardy nature. The Kiwi farmers of New Zealand know this breed well, recognizing their resilience and vigor that enables them to go anywhere and eat practically anything they find in their way. Therefore, it’s no surprise the Kiko goats are becoming increasingly popular around the world!

As a reference: Wikipedia

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