The Homestead Goat – Find The Right Breed For Your Backyard Farm
Article by Sue Merriam
Goats are valuable to a successful homestead. Choose the breed of this wonderful animal that’s right for you.
Since biblical times different breeds of goats have provided milk, meat, skins and lots of fun to the people who owned them. No modern homestead would be complete without at least two of these delightful animals in the backyard farm.
But how do you choose which kind you want? This brief outline will help you pick the right type for you.
What’s Important To You?
Are you primarily interested in milk, or do you want to join the growing number of folks who raise Boers for meat? Or are you interested primarily in mohair?
Making this decision early on will help you choose the right one for you.
Dairy Breeds – Nubian
Nubians are popular because their milk has the highest content of butterfat.
They can be any color or color pattern, but all have the same drooping ears and Roman noses. They are designed to cope with heat and desert conditions.
They tend to be large, but timid animals and can be easily restrained. Nubians need company, and will cry – loudly – if left alone.
LaMancha
This is a great animal. The LaManchas are sweet tempered on the whole and produce a good quantity of milk.
They are also easy to recognize; they look like they have no ears.
Saanen
Pronounced SAH-nen, these are pure white goats with erect ears. They are large animals and heavy milk producers.
Saanens prefer shade, so if you do decide to keep a couple of saanens, pen them in a shady spot.
French-Alpine
The French Alpine originated in the Alps and comes in a variety of colors and markings.
Breeders have emphasized size and production rather than color, so the French-Alpine may range from pure white through gray, brown, black and everything in between.
They are generally short-haired and have a high average milk production.
Oberhasli
These wonderful animals have a red bay coat with black feet and face.
They have a very sweet temperament and produce a delicious, slightly sweet milk.
Toggenburg
These are the oldest known breed. They are slightly smaller than the Alpines.
Their hair is short or medium in length and is brown, either light or dark. They have a white stripe down each side of their faces.
They also have white on either side of the tail and a white rump.
They prefer cooler conditions, but have a high milk production.
Nigerian Dwarf
If you have a backyard farm, this is the type for you. These little girls are small, but they put out an impressive amount of milk for their size.
A Nigerian Dwarf will produce from 2-6 pounds of milk per day.
They are ideal for families who just want a couple of gallons of milk per week.
The African Pygmy
Another small goat with an impressive output of milk. They are playful and affectionate.
They are excellent with children.
Meat Goats – The Boer
If you’re interested primarily in meat, the most popular type is the Boer. But be warned, the Boer are infamous for their escape tactics. They consider most fencing a challenge, and they are not much good for milking.
If you just want a little extra meat, the dairy goats should provide sufficient meat when culls and unwanted kids are butchered.
A Hairy Benefit
Finally, Angoras are bred for their long silky mohair and for their meat.
