Safehaven Boer Goats (2024)

FAQs

What is the mortality rate for Boer goats? ›

Methods Nonparametric survival analysis and a piecewise exponential model (PEM) were used. Results The mortality rates of kids and adult goats were 0.629 and 0.302 per animal year, respectively.

Goats are active animals and like to explore different types of environments. It is important to not overstock pastures and allow the renew of forages to decrease the presence of parasites. To produce 70% of your herd's forage, you will need an acre for 1-3 goats (3-9 goats/hectare).

Distribution: Boer goats were developed in South Africa in the 1900s from a cross of indigenous goats and Indian or European goats and are bred mainly for meat production.

Teats – a Boer goat should have no more than 2 distinct teats on each side. Blind teats, split teats, fish teats, and teats with double orifices are undesirable, as they may cause problems with kids nursing, especially newborns.

Kids (goats under a year of age) are often slaughtered when 3 to 5 months of age and weighing from 25 to 50 pounds. Kids do not store much body fat until they are about a year old. Many goats are older than a year and heavier when marketed, but most, except aged cull goats, are slaughtered when less than a year of age.

Overall, coyotes and dogs accounted for almost 80,000 goat and kid deaths, or about 65 percent of all losses due to predators. There was also a smaller number of goats and kids (about 14,500) that were injured but not killed by predators.

The average Boer goat grows to around 76cm and can weigh between 20-150kg. They can live up to anywhere between 15 and 20 years old. There are apparently over 2 million Boer goats in the world.

Clostridia perfringens Type D

Clostridium perfringens type D is a common cause of death goats worldwide (Veschi et al., 2008), and it can develop at any age. In goats the disease occurs in three forms per-acute, acute and chronic (see table above). Per-acute infection results in sudden death in a matter of days.

However, goats are very social animals. If you only purchase one goat, they may get lonely and loud, as they often call for company. It's best to raise at least two goats at a time. Preferably, we recommend purchasing both goats from the same herd so they're comfortable with one another.

Open sided structures or sheds for loose housing are appropriate for goats in most conditions and provide a more natural environment for the animal.

How often should I rotate goats? ›

Fence off your land into small paddocks (sections of land) with portable electric fencing. Move your goats every 1-2 days to a new paddock based on how much they've eaten and what's left for forage. You still want to have standing grass, at least 3-4 inches.

The Boer or Boerbok is a South African breed of meat goat. It was selectively bred in the Eastern Cape from about 1920 for meat qualities and for the ability to survive by grazing on the thorn veldt of that region. It has been exported to many countries, and has been used to improve the meat qualities of other breeds.

Disqualifications: Undescended or missing testicl*(s); underdeveloped testicl*(s); abnormal or diseased testicl*(s); greater than 2” split in the apex of the scrotum; twisted scrotum. The typical Boer goat is white bodied with a red head, but no preference is given to any hair coloration or color pattern.

Goats are fun! They enjoy interacting with humans, are easy to feed, will eat weeds, and don't take up too much space. The potential negatives of owning goats generally involve noise (goats bleat loudly when they want attention) and upkeep, like regularly trimming their hooves.

Characteristic cull defects: Knock knees, bandy legs, cow hocked or post legged or sickle hocked. Legs too thin or too fleshy. Weak pasterns and hoofs pointing outwards or inwards. SKIN AND COVERING: A loose supple skin with sufficient chest and neck folds, especially in the case of bucks, is essential.

Boer Goats offer many advantages: they're an excellent source of meat and milk, resist disease, make good mothers, and adapt to difficult conditions. However, the kids demand care and management for the first few weeks after birth.