Breed Details Of Boer Goats You Should Know In 2023

A total of 210 different goat breeds exist. The unique breed of Boer goats is becoming more and more well-liked in the US. What makes the Boer goat breed unique, its applications, how to care for Boer goats, and much more will be covered in this essay.

History 

In 1661, Afrikaners made the first reference to the landrace goats owned by local tribes in Namibia and South Africa’s Cape regions. These goats may have originated in India, Nubia, Egypt, or Europe before they traveled south from North Africa via the west and east coasts. According to some sources, local and Indian goats were crossed. The breed may have developed as a result of the importation of European milk breeds during the twentieth century.

In the 1920s, Afrikaner farmers in South Africa’s Eastern Cape raised Boer goats for meat from indigenous stock. In 1959, they founded the Boer Goat Breeders’ Association. By carefully selecting breeding stock, devoted farmers were able to create a resilient meat breed that grows quickly and does well when given little access to the tough veld vegetation. The better Boer goat was created through the careful selection of several indigenous goat lineages. In the Western, Eastern, and Northern Cape provinces, where the mountainous and forested terrain was unsuited for other cattle, the breed flourished.

Boer goat characteristics

Colors

Boer goats often have all-white fur on their bodies, with a characteristic brown or red hue around their head and neck. Some Boers have undergone pure white breeding.

Although more rare, other hues of Boer goats can be found. These include roan, spotted, and dappled. (source) The breeds established by the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) do not favor any particular shade.

Ears

Boer goats are recognized by their large, pendulous ears. Like their face and neck, their ears are typically brown.

Size and Weight

Boer goats are the biggest kind of goats, and they develop quite quickly. Bucks (males) have an approximate height of 30 inches and weigh 200 to 300 pounds at maturity. Boer does, or mature females can weigh between 190 and 230 pounds. Boer goat calves can be born weighing up to 13 pounds.

The Boer goat breed is a hardy breed

One of the main factors contributing to the Boer goat breed’s popularity in the US is its hardiness. Boer goats are able to endure a variety of climatic extremes, including cold, heat, humidity, and dryness.

In difficult conditions, they can reproduce. Boer goats have no specific breeding season, therefore they can breed all year (in other words, they are polyestrous). Boer goats are disease-resistant in addition to their ability to survive a wide range of environmental conditions. Boers are capable of surviving some diseases that other goat breeds cannot. Examples of ailments that kill other breeds but not Boer goats are:

  • Bluetongue
  • Prussic acid poisoning and
  • Enterotoxaemia (to a lesser extent)

Boer goats require the least amount of care. The breed is resilient. Of course, that doesn’t imply in the slightest that they are unfriendly. The exact opposite. They may not be delicate, but when properly socialized, they do like being around people. Boer goats are hardier outside of the United States, particularly in Africa.

In order to produce more Boer Goats, inferior individuals—who should have been culled—were bred with others in the late 1990s due to the breed’s population shortage. Since Boer goats are frequently kept as pets in the United States, they have gained the ability to be spoiled in a homey setting.

Boer goats grown primarily for meat production in other areas are tougher because they are accustomed to stress (high temperatures, lack of additional feed, etc.). However, the Boer goat breed is more resilient than some other breeds (in the United States).

Boer goats live a long time

Old age is the main cause of death for them that aren’t raised for meat. Bucks have an 8–12 year departure window. Does can live for 12 to 20 years.

Boer goat uses

Initially raised for meat purposes. Today, they have a wide range of purposes. Among the applications of the Boer goat breed are:

  • Family pets and show goats
  • Production of milk
  • Production of Meat
  • Preventing expansion of the bush

Boer goats as pets in families

Have you considered getting your child a pet? Buy some Boer goats, perhaps. The name “gentle giants” is sometimes used to describe this kind of goat. They are a great way to strengthen family ties. When properly socialized, they make wonderful playmates for kids. For this reason, they are popular in cattle competitions.

Boer goat does in heat

Many goat breeds’ does’ estrus cycle cycles (or heat) occur during hot months. Since they are resilient, Boer goats can go into heat year-round. Like other breeds, the Boer has a 21-day heat cycle. They must be in their estrus in order to properly breed your goats and make babies (or heat period).

Here are several techniques for spotting does in estrus:

  • She bleats nonstop
  • Her tail is continually wagging.
  • loss of food cravings
  • Steadily increasing dollars
  • Decreased milk output

Growing Boer babies

Their babies’ growth rate is influenced by their sire (i.e. male parent). All a buck’s offspring should grow swiftly if he did. A fast-growing buck’s progeny can gain up to 150 pounds in just three months. Bucks that mature quickly typically cost more than normal bucks.

Breeding and registration

For breeding, both pure bucks and mixed-breed dogs are frequently employed. Purebred does and cross-bred bucks are typically kept as pets, show goats, or for the production of meat.

The following breeds of goats are often crossed with Boer goats to produce crossbred Boer goats:

  • Kiko 
  • Sirohi 
  • Spanish goat
  • Osmanabadis 
  • Angora 
  • Kiko 

The largest breed of goats is the Boer breed. Goats from the Boer breed are robust and have little maintenance. Boer goats like to eat weeds, but you should give them extra food in the winter or when there aren’t many meadows available. Boer goats can be used for a variety of purposes, including as pets, livestock, weed control, and more.

References

13  Fruits Goats Can Safely Eat

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

nice to meet you

My loving husband and I love farming in her barn, which provides the ultimate in cow comfort. However, we need your support to run our farm business smoothly. I would like you all to stay updated with our website and I will share with you goat, sheep, and other pet tips and solutions. Subscribe to My Blog to stay up to date.

Follow Us on
SignUp For Email Updates