They are renowned for having the highest butterfat content found in dairy goats, making their milk extremely rich in flavor. The polled gene is extremely easy to find within the Nigerian Dwarf breed, with most farms focusing on both polled and blue-eyed genetics.
This breed is also prevalent for exhibition purposes, and show animals are required to be hornless. As a result, breeding show quality polled stock is both necessary and common within Nigerian Dwarf goats.
In my experience, Nigerian Dwarf goats are hardy and easily bond to their handlers. Nubian goats are quite possibly the most common dairy goat in the world. The Nubian goat breed is easily recognizable by its massively long ears. Historically originating in Sudan, selective breeding programs of Nubian goats took hold in the United Kingdom in the mids. After breeders imported them into the United States around , Nubian goats became one of the most valuable multi-purpose goats available.
Nubian can carry the polled gene, but most hornless individuals within this breed had their horns removed as kids. A growing number of Nubian owners are attempting to get the polled gene within their breeding programs.
Many others are opting to use only polled bucks when breeding their does each year as well. Over time, naturally hornless Nubian will be much more common within the breed. Despite being called LaMancha, this goat breed does not have ties to the Spanish region of the same name. They were bred in the United States using various other breeds, including Murciana and Criollo. Polled LaMancha are popular, and hornlessness has been selectively bred for since when they were identified as a breed.
While they can be horned, LaMancha goats have been consistently observed with the polled gene more than other breeds, and many lines selectively breed for this quality. They famously have extremely short ears. They are also known for being excellent dairy animals, producing a high amount of butterfat content.
Additionally, LaMancha goats are very friendly and curious, making them an excellent choice for anyone wanting an easy-to-handle dairy goat. Originating from the Mediterranean and drawing their name from the island of Malta, Maltese goats are primarily prized for their milk production of gallons per lactation. The milk is said to have a pleasing taste and is frequently used in Sicily for traditional Caprino and Ricotta cheeses.
I find the meat of a goat to be on the gamey side, but not bad. It makes it simple to milk the females and eat the males. Milk or meat, this is something everyone will have to decide on their own. Try it with an open mind and be surprised. Okay, this is fairly true, but paradoxically also false. Goats can be the pickiest of eaters when they want to be. Goats eat a lot of things that would come as a surprise.
My herd murdered a year-old Russian Olive tree, in cold blood, by eating all the bark off the base. They also did this to an apple tree. Bonus myth: Goats are rude. This is so wrong yet somehow I find myself answering this question often. They are great for dairy products, meat, fiber, packing loads, pulling carts, manure for gardens, weed control, entertainment, as companion animals, and as pets.
They can do so much and bring so much value to a homestead, farm, or working family. They are really the ideal livestock, especially for owners who are going to use them to the fullest. They make up for their usefulness by being rude. I imagine everyone has heard certain horror stories concerning folks being rammed by a goat. In reality, goats are some of the kindest farm animals out there.
There is something so peaceful and trusting about resting your head on the side of a doe, at the end of a long day, while milking her. Being that close to an animal, listening to the farm settle down, and finishing the chores of the day is almost meditative. The girls will patiently wait or eat their milking bribe and get scratches and pet. Goats can be a lot like dogs, and I truly treasure the bonds I have with my favorite herd members.
Goats are too smart for their own good, and a bored goat will find a way out. Sound complicated? However, in any one year you could get all horned or all polled or a combination of polled and horned. Two breeding seasons ago, she was bred to a polled sire. All three kids were horned. Last year she was bred to the same sire. When triplets were born, the two doelings were polled and the buckling was horned. With that knowledge, you can ascertain that the mother doe was hh and the sire was Ph.
Close this module. First Name John. Last Name Smith. Your email johnsmith example. Breeding polled goats was popular in the 50s and 60s, but fell out of favor because of the probability of other genetic problems. However, the desire for a more humane way to raise hornless goats has increased in recent years, and the breeding of polled goats is making a comeback.
It all comes down to basic genetics. While most goats are born with horns, did you know that the lack of horns is actually a dominant trait? Traits are expressed through genes, and each gene is made of two alleles — dominant alleles or recessive alleles. Dominant alleles must be present for them to be expressed. Because horns are a recessive trait, both parents must carry the horn gene to produce offspring with horns.
For a more elaborate breakdown of these percentages, you can make a Punnett square yourself source. Studies have shown that breeding polled goats can lead to an increase in undesirable sex-linked traits — namely, intersexuality. Intersex goats possess both male and female anatomy, are usually sterile, and are not useful for many goat keepers.
Many goat keepers choose not to disbud their kids, but instead allow their horns to grow. A goat with horns may be safer from large predators or other threats.
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