Goats are typically one of the most popular animals you’ll see on a farm. It’s not a surprise considering they can produce, not only milk, but also delicious meat. Many farm-owners also find that these animals make fantastic companions, as long as you can find the right breed that’s perfect for you.
Goat Breeds
With over 200 breeds of goats in the world, you may not know where to start. Whether you are looking for milk production, meat production, or a friendly pet, this guide will help you to make a more informed decision for your farm. Whichever you choose, know that goats are social animals so you will need more than one.
Like most other livestock, goats are typically put into different categories based on their purpose. Meat, dairy, and companion are the most common categories for goats. However, most breeds can be versatile and might fall into one or more categories. Some goats are also bred for their cashmere hair. No matter the case, keep in mind what you are looking to accomplish with your herd.
Best Goats for Meat
Although it’s one of the lesser popular varieties in North America, goat meat can be very delicious. With its ability to nourish your family without being too fatty or packed with calories, it can be a fantastic addition to your daily diet. However, not all goats are ideal for meat production; some are better used for dairy, and others are ideal for pure companionship.
Boer Goats
Boer goats are considerably the most popular meat breed compared to the wide variety of other goats on this list. Their bodies can get up to 300 pounds which makes them a great source for meat production. This breed was initially bred in South Africa and is still one of the best goats for meat in that area today.
Not to mention, they also have an incredible fertility rate, which makes them easy to breed. Most often, you’ll find that these goats will come in a variety of colors, including black, red, brown, or white, with different types of marking. Regarding how long do goats live, Boers can live to be 12 years old. With proper care, they can live up to 20 years.
Pros:
- Docile
- Disease resistant
- Ideal for hot and dry climates
- Matures in 90 days
- Bucks grow up to 340 pounds
Cons:
- High feed needs
- Susceptible to parasites
Spanish Goats
If you’re on the hunt for a low-maintenance goat breed, Spanish is a fantastic option as they have relatively low needs. Bred initially in Spain and then brought to the United States via Mexico, this breed is very well-known for meat production. What’s more, their breeding patterns are sustained throughout the year. When experiencing estrus, (when goats are in heat) does will be in heat for 18 – 22 days.
You’ll find that Spanish goats were most prevalent for meat during the ’80s, and they are easy to spot thanks to their long and twisted horns. Although Spanish goats were the primary source of goat meat in the past, they have since been beat out by Boer goats. Spanish goats are still a great option for meat production, and like many breeds, they have many purposes. If you need assistance with dealing with highly invasive brush plants, like buckthorn, Spanish goats are a fantastic addition to your farm.
Pros:
- Produces savory meats
- Resistance to parasites and diseases
- Can be crossbred for higher meat, milk, or cashmere production
- Ideal for brush-clearing
- Breeds out-of-season
Cons:
- Does not produce a substantial amount of milk – not versatile to be used for dairy production as a purebred
- Difficult to manage – flighty
Kiko Goats
Kiko goats have gained popularity through their ability to thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. They can grow large in a limited amount of time, similar to Boer goats.
This breed was initially introduced in New Zealand and brought to the United States in the ‘90s because of their ability to produce large amounts of meat. Unlike some other breeds, Kiko produces delicious milk as well as hearty meat that you can use to your advantage.
Also, they are an excellent choice for farms with other animals, such as sheep, as they eat away the rough terrain. Some farmers find that this breed is also one of the more economical ones, especially if you were to compare them to Boer goats.
You’ll find they prefer lower-quality grazing territory. Kiko goats require far less maintenance than other goat breeds, which can make them an excellent choice for beginners.
Pros:
- Delicious meat
- Quickly adapts to poor climate
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Great for breeding
- Natural resistance to parasites
Cons:
- Difficult to manage because of their size and demeanor
Kalahari Goats
One thing to be said about Kalahari goats is that they are particularly beautiful to look at. This is especially true if you were to compare them to some of the more traditional meat-friendly breeds.
With a body that is ideal for dealing with hot temperatures, these South African-bred goats produce lean and delicious meat. This meat is far more tender and easy on the stomach compared to meats from other breeds.
A reason as to why you should consider having Kalahari goats on your farm is because they are immune to most goat-related diseases, making them a very durable and reliable breed.
Kalahari is also known to breed at a consistent schedule, even if out of breeding season. On average, you’re likely to see up to three kids every two years. Overall, their body size is long and tall, though they can be bred with heartier breeds to increase their overall body size.
Pros:
- Kids grow quickly
- Highly heat resistant
- Less susceptible to disease
- Highly adaptable and resilient
Cons:
- Hard to acquire
- Could be temperamental
Best Goats for Milk
When it comes to finding the best milking goats, you’re going to want to consider what kind of market you are wanting to enter. You might want breeds that have high yielding milk production, or you might be more interested in high levels of milk fat for cheese production.
No matter the case, you will want to look into dairy goat breeds. Although all goat breeds technically produce some milk, you’re going to want to opt for breeds that produce a substantial amount. As with the ideal goats for meat, the best dairy goats will contribute to the resourcefulness of your farm with limited disadvantages. Here are a few dairy goat breeds to consider:
Alpine Goats
On average, Alpine goats can produce up to two gallons of milk a day. That is more than enough for the average household, especially if you have more than one goat on your property.
You’ll love that the milk from an Alpine is not only useful for drinking. They can produce around 3% milk fat. This makes it possible to make ice cream, butter, and cheese from their milk.
With a highly adaptable personality and strong maternal instincts, an Alpine goat is incredibly herd-oriented. As such, they can be a phenomenal addition to your existing farm animals. Also, since they are classified as a dairy breed, their milk production far outweighs other types of goat breeds. On average, they live to be 8 – 12 years old.
Pros:
- Very friendly and social
- Large dairy production; heavy milkers
- Easily adaptable to climate
- Protective of family
- Strong goats – can be used as pack animals
- Can be used for meat; good use for wethers if you don’t want a lot of male goats
Cons:
- Highly protective of offspring
Nubian Goats
Nubian goats are some of the best goats for milk. They were bred initially across the pond in England between 1920 and 1930, making them the most common goat to have on farms.
Compared to Alpines, Nubian varieties produce milk with incredibly high-fat content, which can help you to make fattier ingredients, such as butter and cheese.
Also, it’s important to note that this breed is exceptionally fertile, even after the age of 12, and is highly likely to produce twins, triplets, and quadruplets.
Nubian goats don’t produce as much milk per goat as other breeds. Their average production is up to one and a half gallons. With that said, their milk is also one of the most flavorful varieties around, which is why it is so ideal for making goat cheese.
They also produce their milk year-round. Lastly, you’ll also appreciate how intelligent this breed is, which can make them a useful contribution to your farm. A Nubian goat, particularly the wethers, make good pack animals. You can use Nubian wether goats for meat as well.
Pros:
- Incredibly fertile
- All-purpose breed
- Lives for many years, 15 – 18 years
- Fantastic pack animals
Cons:
- Very noisy
- Requires a lot of attention
- Sensitive to cold
- Minimal milk production
Toggenburg Goats
Toggenburg goats are one of the oldest breeds known to humans. In fact, they were first noted to be seen during the 1600s.
Their iconic appearance is what makes them easy to spot among a crowd. Toggenburg goats have a substantially large body with a relatively small head, paired with full beards and a very straight face.
Compared to a couple of the other breeds we’ve discussed this far, Toggenburg goats produce milk that is relatively low in fat (around 3%). This makes it better for drinking than cheese or butter production.
You’ll appreciate the likelihood of these goats having a successful breeding, as they do so regularly and are easy to rely on for producing kids seasonally. When you consider how long are goats pregnant, Toggenburgs have a longer gestation period than other goat breeds. On average, a Toggenburg goat doe will have a 179 day gestation period.
Many farm owners also love how hardy they are, which can make them useful for milk production and meat production (especially the wethers).
Although they are one of the most sought-after goat breeds in the world, they are not recommended for beginners. Toggenburg goats require experience with goat handling, especially when they are pregnant.
Pros:
- Resilient with cold temperatures
- Strong maternal instincts
- Up to 20 months of lactation
- Milk is sweet
- Dual purpose goat for milk and meat
Cons:
- Not ideal for beginners
- Poor tempers
- Likely to break out of farms
Pro or Con:
- Toggenburg milk is low in butterfat
- They are moderate milk producers compared to other dairy goat breeds
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian Dwarf goats are some of the best milking goats for farm owners who don’t have a lot of space. They typically grow to half the size of a standard goat.
You’ll find that this breed is typically kept on smaller farms, as they don’t need a lot of space for grazing or breeding. This is especially true when compared to larger goat breeds such as Boer goats.
This breed produces up to two pints of milk daily. While less than other goat breeds, you’ll spend less time milking them. Also, their milk is incredibly high in butterfat, which makes it substantially tastier than most other kinds you can find.
Their desirable and creamy milk contains up to six percent of butterfat, which not only helps to add to its flavor but also its rich and creamy texture. This makes them ideal for ice cream, cheese, and different kinds of butter.
If you’re strapped for space on your farm, you’ll love how Nigerian Dwarf goats only reach up to 23 inches, at most, and are very friendly, which makes them fantastic for children. Nigerian Dwarf goats will grow horns. Some people will opt to have them removed when they are young for a few different reasons. However, in most situations, adult Nigerian Dwarf goats will not be an issue with horns. With proper care, they can live to be 15 years old.
Pros:
- Family-friendly
- Easy to maintain
- Holds their value
- Incredibly delicious milk
Cons:
- Difficult to milk
- Easily escape from fencing because of their small size
- Attractive to predators
- Jumps very high
Oberhasli Goats
If sweet milk is what you’re looking for, Oberhasli is one of the best dairy goat breeds to take into consideration. Their milk has just under four percent of fat but still tastes much sweeter than most.
On average, this breed can produce up to one and a half gallons of milk each day, depending on their living conditions and size. Because of their sweet milk, it is most often used for making ice cream. As another small variety, they make fantastic partners for urban farms and smaller farms with limited space.
One thing you’re bound to love about Oberhasli goats is that they have a fantastic personality that makes them phenomenal for family-friendly environments. Still, you will not want to underestimate the power of this breed. You will want to spend quality time with these goats if you want them to be companion animals. Oberhasli goats can live to be 8 – 12 years old.
Pros:
- Adaptable to weather changes
- Quite hardy
- Delicious and sweet milk
- Pack animals
- Efficient with feeding
Cons:
- Loud
- Easily escapes confinements
- Low butterfat content
- Variable production of milk
Best Goats for Pets
It can be a fantastic advantage to have an different breeds of goat on your farm for meat and milk production. Still, you might also be looking for companion animals that will be great with your kids.
Often, farm owners opt to have goats as family pets, though some breeds are better suited for this job than others. Which goat breeds are best as pets?
When searching for the best goats for pets, you’ll want to opt for breeds with a mild temperament that will be safe for everyone in the family to be around. Below are a few of the most popular types of domestic goats that you can have.
Pygmy Goats
Pygmy goats are also seen as some of the best milk and companion goats in the world. They are incredibly popular for farms that need a friendly and intelligent pet.
You’ll find that this breed is highly adaptable to most types of weather, which is what makes them ideal for living in any continent. Much like their name suggests, they are substantially smaller than other breeds. They live for 12 years on average.
In fact, Pygmy goats might only get as tall as 15 inches and may only weigh up to 85 pounds. Although they look small, they produce a substantial amount of milk, which is more than enough for a small household. On average, you could receive up to two quarts of milk containing up to 6-9% butterfat daily.
Pros:
- Fun and interactive
- Friendly
- Small in size
- Produces plenty of milk
Cons:
- Susceptible to diseases
- Likely to escape enclosures because of their small size
Mini Alpines Goats
Similar to their larger version, Alpine goats, which are known to be some of the best milk goats, Mini Alpines are also phenomenal family pets that your kids will love, especially if they are active.
The mini alpine goat breed is well-known for its hyperactivity. They love to prance throughout their enclosure for hours on end, which is prone to keep your whole family entertained.
They are also quite small, reaching up to 30 inches in height, but they can be hefty with body weights up to 135 pounds.
You’ll find that Mini Alpines and Pygmies have a lot in common, especially when it comes to weather resilience, as this breed is ideal for any climate. A great tip is to remember that your Mini Alpine will do relatively anything in exchange for food, which can make it easier to train.
Pros:
- Can be milked
- Very friendly
- High energy output
Cons:
- Likely to escape enclosures
- Can be heavy
Myotonic Goats aka Mini Fainting Goats
Also known as Mini Myotonics, Mini Fainting goats have boomed in popularity throughout farms across the United States thanks to their native ability to “faint” when exposed to loud sounds or surprises. Learn more about why goats faint.
Unfortunately, this goat breed was declared as endangered in the late ‘80s. Though, they have been regularly bred since then to maintain their population. On average, Mini Fainting goats can get up to 25 inches tall and up to 150 pounds, depending on diet and exercise.
What makes them a fantastic addition to your farm is that Fainting goats are very family-friendly and relatively simple to maintain, which is perfect for beginners.
Your children will love being able to take on the responsibility of taking care of Myotonic goats, as they are prone to be friendlier than other breeds. It’s also important to note that this Mini Fainting breed is primarily known for meat production compared to milk production. As a pet, though, these features might not be your primary concern.
Pros:
- Easy to contain
- Adapts to most environments
- Easily bred
- Produces tender and flavorful meat
Cons:
- Difficult to obtain
- Quite expensive
- Easy prey
Mini Lamanchas Goats
As another miniature version of an existing goat breed, Mini Lamanchas are incredibly popular in farms across the United States, especially petting farms. Their mild temperaments and herd mentality means they are far less likely to be aggressive than other types.
This makes them a great addition to a family-friendly environment. One of their most iconic traits is their ears. They are incredibly small and barely noticeable, which is an adorable addition to their small size and limited weight.
You can find Mini Lamanchas in an assortment of color combinations, and their hair is known for being short and glossy, primarily when appropriately maintained.
As an added benefit, they produce a considerable amount of milk for their size, which can contain up to 4% of butterfat for delicious cheeses and spreads.
Pros:
- Incredibly friendly
- Ideal house pets
- Very calm
Cons:
- Highly intelligent
- Likely to escape enclosures
Goat Breeds for Your Hobby Farm
Consider this list of goat breeds when making your selection. First, decide whether you want a considerable amount of milk or meat production or a friendly family pet. There are many types of goats for different purposes, including for their fibers and for brush and weed clearing.
Some breeds are very versatile, offering plenty of milk and meat while having a mild temperament. Others are better for singular tasks, depending on what you think your farm is lacking.
Overall, they are incredibly useful animals that every farm owner should consider investing in to breathe new life into their farm. You can raise goats for profit as well.
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