goat nap time

rain stopped
sun's out
full tummy

Life is good.

Looks like a mix of Swiss Milch and Anglo-nubians? Are you cross-breeding them?

Chelle

Cyara wrote:
Life is good.

Looks like a mix of Swiss Milch and Anglo-nubians? Are you cross-breeding them?

Chelle

They are Kikos, originally from New Zealand.  The monkey eared one at the left rear is part LaMancha.

Interesting. Never heard of them.  I have heard of a LaMancha but don't think I have ever seen one.

Chelle

Are kikos tougher than boers?  I've heard kikos are quicker to get up and nurse, do better on poor quality forage and less prone to get worms.  Is any of that true in your experience?  Cute kids btw

I have to admit to being biased. The Boer Goat is locally bred here and especially bred for harsh conditions. It is a Nubian type. And we now have the Red or Kalahari Boer Goat. I don't think a Cheetah would easily mess with a Boer. I know a Saanen would not stand a chance.

I have too little knowledge of Kikos to compare. What interests me in the Boer is that it even produces a bit of cashmere in its coat too as well as being a strong meat goat. They flourish on very little care. Boer cross Saanen interests me to create a more dual purpose goat. If the buck is Saanen it seems chances are the kids will be while all over. Great if interested in a triple purpose goat.... milk, meat, cashmere fiber. Don't know of course how possible this is.

Chelle

goodshephrd wrote:
Are kikos tougher than boers?  I've heard kikos are quicker to get up and nurse, do better on poor quality forage and less prone to get worms.  Is any of that true in your experience?  Cute kids btw

I wouldn't say they are tougher, but they do very well on all types of browse.  The does are very good moms and I haven't compared but the kids are up and nursing right away.  This is the only type of goat we have raised.  My wife has a vegetation management business to help folks lower their fire fuel load thus the choice of a goat that stays healthy on brush, plants like star thistle, etc.  She concentrates heavily on herd health and supplements minerals. 

I have to admit to being biased. The Boer Goat is locally bred here and especially bred for harsh conditions. It is a Nubian type. And we now have the Red or Kalahari Boer Goat. I don't think a Cheetah would easily mess with a Boer. I know a Saanen would not stand a chance.

You're probably right.  We use guardian dogs due to the mountain lion and coyote pressure here and have never lost an animal to predation.

gary gregory wrote:We use guardian dogs due to the mountain lion and coyote pressure here and have never lost an animal to predation.

Which Guardian dogs do you use?

Chelle

Cyara wrote:
Which Guardian dogs do you use?

Chelle

I bumped the llama vs great pyre thread as it covers a lot of it.  The Alisa in that thread is my wife.