Biography of the goat
Technologies for the development of agriculture in a single digital space return the best breeds of dwarf goats on January 15, affectionate, responsive creatures can become excellent companions, miniature varieties of goats are contained as pretty pets. Decorative goats will serve as an additional magnet for visitors if you are a farmer and develop the agriturism project The most famous breeds of miniature goats - Camerunskaya dwarf and Nigerian dwarf.
Both are of origin from the areas of Africa corresponding to the name. Similar forms of dwarf goats are also found in most areas of Africa. Since the end of the fifties of the last century, animals were exported from the hot continent to the zoos of Sweden and Germany, where they were exhibited as exotic animals. From there they got to England, Canada and the USA - where they were acquired by zoos, research centers and private individuals.
And only at the end of the twentieth century, small goats gained popularity as domestic and exhibition animals. We will tell you more about the Cameruns and Nigerian breeds of goats. Camerunskaya dwarf goat: Yes, it is also milk! These are small animals, an average of 41-58 cm at the withers - approximately like a bull terrier. The weight of the male varies from 17 to 25 kg, and the females - from 10 to 17 kg.
The dwarf goats have short legs. Colors of all kinds of variations. Well adapted to various conditions of West Africa, including a wet tropical climate and dry climate of the savannah, they are easily acclimatized to new conditions, including cold weather.
They are hardy and vitality, have good resistance to internal and external parasites. In African countries, dwarf goats show greater profitability than ordinary rocks. The performance of the Camerunskaya goat is 1-2 liters of milk per day for days. Since the goats grow easily and grow quickly, they are a good source of goat meat on low -budget pastures or personal plots.
Sexual maturity usually occurs from the ages of four to five months, but can occur in two months. It is recommended to wait before the mate until the female is 12-18 months. Then it can produce 1-4 cubs every 9-12 months. Cameroon goats are obedient, sociable and friendly. In developed countries, they are mainly contained as pets and inhabitants of small zoos, occasionally for the sake of milk.
In Africa, they are mainly used for meat, and milk, manure and skins are considered an additional advantage. Nigerian goat: African, who has become an American, these goats are historically popular in Western and Central Africa, mainly in coastal countries with moist climate or climate of the savannah-and are known under the general name of the West African dwarf goats.
Animals are very different in size, body proportions and staining of wool and can reflect local preferences. The main advantage for local residents is the ability of these goats to live and produce offspring in the regions infected with Fly Tseces. This insect is a real problem for the development of cattle breeding in many areas of Africa. So the Nigerian dwarf goat successfully provides milk and meat of small farmers in the regions problematic in the tseces.
The dwarf goats first got to America at the beginning of the twentieth century, they were mainly kept in zoos as overseas wonders. Then, as the size of the herd increases, they began to be sold to private breeders. Soon, the United States began to notice two different types of physique of this goat: stocky, short -legged and broad -legged ahondroplastic dwarfism and slender, with normal proportions of the limbs, proportional miniaturization.
Once registered by the US Cattle Office as a rare breed, by the year the population of Nigerian goats has grown enough to be excluded from the list of priorities, the number of livestock was estimated at 30 goals. The Nigerian goat is a little larger than Camerunskaya, a height of 45 cm at the cap at females, up to 60 cm - in males. Weight - from 27 to 35 kg.
Wool from short to medium length, various colors. The eyes are sometimes blue. The male has a thick beard. As a rule, these goats are gentle and calm, sociable in nature and friendly when they grow among people. Productivity: 1-2 liters per day 10 months a year. Goats are mated three times for two years, leaving a minimum of six -month vacation, of which excellent mothers are obtained.
Females enter the reproductive age of 17-22 weeks, and males - at the age of 7-17 weeks. However, breeders prefer to wait 12 months before the first mating. There are usually several cubs in the litter often three or four. Despite the small size, life expectancy of Nigerian dwarf goats - 15-20 years, if they care well. Some lines have two health problems that can be inherited. This is a plane cell carcinoma cancerous tumor under the tail and hyperextext of the wrist when the knees bend back with age.Goats are herd animals, so they are usually made at least a couple so that they can make a company to each other.
A well -fenced yard or goat's corral is very mobile and jumping. Buckets for feed and water hay for food. Approximately one bale for two goats every week sugar beets and herbal granules for winter top dressing Salt Lizunas and mineral additives of straw for litter. About half to one bale per week. A knitting knife for cutting the bracket brushes for wool care, the base first -aid kit, including products and tools for wool care, preparations for deworming and disinsection of your goats.
The cost of the content of goats depends on the size of your animals - it is easy to predict if you have experience in the content of ordinary goats. For the development of agriturism, it will be necessary to accustom animals to the attention of people. The goats will respond to the nickname, approach the treats or honors. It is easy to train goats to pull small carts or tolerate objects as pack animals.
The more time you devote to them, the more you will be rewarded with the love and communication of dwarf goats. Farm visitors will also be delighted with unusual, cute and good -natured animals.