Goats for Food, Fiber and Dairy
Different Breeds of Goats are Used for Fleece, Food and Milk
Mar 18, 2009
Pat Coleby, author of the book, Natural Goat Care, states that "Goats, the 'poor man's cow', were possibly the first animal to be domesticated for man's use." That statement was the lumping together of all that goats represented to many ages and cultures. Goats brought to their owners milk, meat and clothing as well as weed control and fertilizer.
Goats for Meat
Today goat breeding is more standardized and aimed at specific markets. Meat goats are fleshier than other breeds and the taste for chevon or cabrito is growing. Chevon is meat from a goat seven to twelve months old and cabrito is from a weanling goat of three to six months. Popular meat goat breeds are Boer and Spanish goats. Goat meat is growing in popularity due to its lack of cholesterol producing fat.
Goats for Fiber
The Angora goat is bred for fiber production. The hair of the Angora is called Mohair and can be spun, woven, knitted or crocheted. It is a soft fiber but can sometimes be irritating to the skin and is often lined with silk or cotton. Another fiber producer is the 'Kashmir' or Cashmere goat. The hair is gathered during the goats' molting season with the finest fiber taken from the underbelly and throat area. Cashmere is silky, feather-light and insulating.
Goats for Dairy
Several breeds are raised for milk production, among them the Nubian, the Saanen, Toggenburg, British and French Alpine and the La Manchas. Any of these breeds will produce good quality milk which varies slightly in texture and taste. Nubian is thought to have the richest taste. Each of these breeds exhibit different personality traits with the Toggenburg gaining the reputation of being the most lively. These goats are from Switzerland and have tan to chocolate colored coats. The Saanen is a white coated goat generally thought to be from Australia. The Alpines have a history of being long term milkers which makes them idea candidates for commercial dairies. La Manchas descended from milk goats in Spain and are noted for their 'gopher' ears which are generally about an inch in length.
Goats for Fun
Pygmy goats are the outstanding choice for hobby breeders, or those who just want goats 'for the fun of it.' The miniature animals are attractive, animated, responsive and fun-loving. They can be weaned as early as three months. They are however social animals and are happier in a herd environment. But two or three together can be great entertainment for the family. Watching them play and even training them to lead and harness for a cart is a good project in animal interaction.
Source: Natural Goat Care, Pat Coleby, Acres U.S.A. Publishers, Austin, Texas, 2001
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