There are two distinct types of goats of which six main breeds exist in Jamaica: - Goat Breed Buck -Mature Body wt.(kg) Doe -Mature Body wt.(kg) Dress Weight % Meat to Bone Ratio Native 41 30 33 3:1 Nubian 114 75 50 5:1 Boer 159 114 60– 65 7:1
1. Milk breeds - e.g. Alpine, Saanen, Togggenberg, Nubians
2. Meat breeds - e.g. Boer, Nubian, Native.
However the most common breeds reared by small farmers are Boer, Nubian and Native.
The Boer goat is regarded as the beef goat of the Caprine species. This is an evolved breed developed in South Africa specially for the production of meat although it produces large volumes of milk high in fat and protein. It is a horned breed with lop ears and having a red neck with white body. There is usually a white blaze in the face.
The Boer goat is more feed efficient, typically consuming about 5% of their body weight in forage material daily. The mature bucks weigh 110 - 135 kg and the ewes between 90 - 100 kg. The Nubian is relatively large and has a proud and graceful appearance. The breed is of mixed origin and owes its distinctive features to the imported goats of India's Jumna Pari and Egypt's Zariby type. Crossing these with British dairy goats resulted in the Anglo- Nubian, which is the foundation of the U.S. Nubian breed.
This is a dual purpose breed useful for both milk and meat. Distinguishing features are long, wide, pendulous (long and floppy) ears; convex Roman nose; and short, sleek, hair. They are the only dairy breed with pendulous ears and may be any color-black, grey, cream, white, tan, brown, rich reddish brown etc. Common markings include lighter ears, facial and leg stripes, and trim on the muzzle, crown and/or underside. Also, this breed often has overall light or darkcolored spots or patches of any size.A mature doe should weigh about 61 kg, the buck at least 77 kg
The Native is relatively small in body with short ears, a beard and some times wattles. A mature female average weight is 33.32 kg and the bucks 40 kg. It is an early maturing breed and is bred mainly for meat production. It is also a very hardy animal and will thrive almost in any environment. The colour of the hair on the body varies. There are two distinct types of native goats the Dwarf with
short legs and the Tall with long legs.
General Information on Goats
Growing Periods
Goats stop growing at the age of four years at which time they should achieve their mature body weight. (see table below).
Cross bred animals generally have a faster growth rate than pure bred animals and will reach a weight of 36 - 45 kg in eight months to one year. They also dress out at 50% and over of total body weight. The offsprings mature sexually at five months and therefore males should be separated from the females from as early as three months old.
They grow fairly rapidly up to the age of eight months and then slow down ,increasing the weight by an average of 6.8 kg per month. However a Boer goat can gain a weight of 1 lb per day. As a result, a kid of 3 - 5 months will show a dress weight of 60% their body weight. Bucks weigh heavier than “wethers” (castrated males) and therefore it is best to keep the males sexually intact.