Best Goat Breeds to Raise for Meat

Goats are bred mainly for meat and milk. Goat meat is devoured generally all through the world, particularly in developing nations. Raising meat goats is an affordable livestock enterprise.

Goats can kid two times every year. The incubation time frame for a doe is 147 to 150 days. Meat goats are for the most part more slender and more strong than dairy goat corpses. The Boer is viewed as the best meat-creating goat. Other prominent meat goat breeds are Kiko, Nubian, Pygmy, and Spanish.

Some of the best goat breeds to raise for meat are explained below.

1. Kiko breed

Kiko is the Maori word for flesh or meat. Selected Feral Does have been crossbred with Nubian, Toggenburg and Saanen bucks, to produce Kiko breed.   The Kiko is thought to be an energetic, hardy, big frame and early maturing animal.

The Kiko breed has good parasite resistance and needs very little care, so it is gaining more popularity.

Kiko Buck weighs up to 80 kg (170 lb) and Doe up to 55 kg(120 lb).

2. Spanish Goat

While the Spanish explorers got to the USA, they brought goats as a meat supply. some of those goats escaped or had been released when other meats have been discovered. Those feral goats became referred to as “Spanish” or “brush goats.”

The Spanish or brush goat breed has advanced through natural selection from goats first located in Oklahoma and Texas inside the early 1540s by way of Spanish explorers. The dimensions of the goat vary according to climate, terrain and to be had breeding stock.

The Spanish goat has the capability to breed out of season and is an outstanding range animal because of its small udder and teats.

Mature Bucks can weigh as much as 90 kg (200 lb) and Does up to 60 kg(130 lb).  

Before Boer goats, the Spanish goat’s meat was the first choice. But Spanish goats majorly used to clear patches of bush, pasture, and various land.

3. Boer Goat

The advancement of the Boer goat in the mid-1900s can be followed by the Dutch ranchers of South Africa. Boer is a Dutch word meaning rancher. With meat generation setting the determination criteria, the Dutch ranchers built up the Boer goat as a one of a kind type of animal. The Boer goat has a fast development rate, phenomenal remains characteristics and is very adjusted to various situations. Through the resulting many years of specific rearing, the Boer goat picked up its hereditary prevalence and respectability, establishing the framework for the improved Boer Goat and the reason for the present American Boer goat. The principal full-blood Boers were brought into the United States in 1993. Since that time an enormous measure of enthusiasm for reproducing Boer and Boer impact goats has detonated in the United States.

Generally, a fully developed Boer buck weighs around 110 kg to 135 kg and a doe weighs around 90kg to 100 kg. In view of this huge size, they are a standout amongst the most well-known breeds for meat generation. Other advantages are they are impervious to illness and reproduce often.

4. Fainting Goat

Fainting goats are a little household goat breed local to the United States of America. Fainting goats are called by numerous names like Myotonic, Tennessee Fainting, Tennessee Meat, Texas Wooden Leg, Stiff, Nervous, and Scare goats.

Myotonic goats experience the ill effects of a condition called myotonia congenita, which makes their muscles solidify automatically and remain as such for brief periods.

The goat weight ranges from 60 pounds to 175 pounds. Mature Bucks can weigh as much as 55 kg (120 lb) and Does up to 35 kg(70 lb).

5. Pygmy Goat

Pygmy goats are native to Cameroon Valley of West Africa. Also called African Pygmy goat.

A miniature domestic goat. African Pygmy goat at the shoulder height averaging 15 to 20 inches tall.

Pygmy goats live up to 15 years. On average Pygmy goat live around 10 years.

Pygmy goats are quite hardy and can adapt to any climate. But during winters and rainy season, they prefer to have lukewarm food and water.

Pygmy goats are more Athletic. They are playful, can leap great heights. So be careful with the fence height.

The does have overall friendly temperaments, but bucks are known to be a bit stubborn and independent.

The male pygmy goat is known as Buck which weighs around 27 kg  to 39 kg (60 lb to 86 lb)

The female pygmy goat is known as Doe which weighs around 24 kg to 34 kg. (53 lb to 75 lb)

6. Nubian Goat

Anglo Nubian goats were first created in England(Britain). Anglo Nubians began when British Does were crossed with Bucks from African and Indian Origin.  Anglo Nubian is a huge measured goat breed perceived as a universally handy goat(meat, hide and milk). The milk is perfect for yogurt and cheddar making as the butterfat is around four and five percent.

A mature Anglo Nubian doe should stand at least 30 inches at the withers, while the Anglo Nubian Buck should stand at least 35 inches at the withers.

The body weight of an adult Anglo Nubian Bucks is 80 kg and Anglo Nubian Does is  61 kg.

The age at sexual maturity in male Anglo Nubian goat is 8 months.

The udders in Nubian Does are well developed, which helps in good milk production.

The Anglo Nubian goat lifespan ranges anywhere from 8 to 12 years.

7. Savanna Goat

The Savanna goat was developed during the 1950s from local goats of Southern Africa where temperatures and precipitation can fluctuate incredibly. This breed was created to flourish in the rugged conditions of Savannah. The outcomes are a goat that is rich, tolerant to temperature and dry season. along with providing great meat.

They look like the Boer breed, however, they are progressively reduced with shorter legs. The have a decent mothering capacity and bond well with their young. They adjust to an assortment of terrible atmospheres like sun, cold and downpour. They have a characteristic obstruction against tick-borne maladies, for example, heartwater and against other outside parasites.

100-day weaning weight buck kids: 30 kg 100-day weaning weight doe kids: 25 kg

Mature weight of Savanna Does is in between 125 to 200 pounds (90 kg)  and bucks, 200-250 pounds (120 kg).

8. Jamunapari Goat

Jumumanpari goat is a pure Indian breed. Jamunapari comes in estrus consistently and there was no regularity in rearing. The udder is very much developed, round, with huge funnel-shaped nipples.

The body weight of a grown-up Jamunapari Bucks and Does shifts from 65 to 85 kg and 45-60 Kg individually.

The newborn kid of Jamunapari goat weighs around 3kg.

The kidding cycle is once in around 8 months. There can be 3 kidding cycles for 2 years. Triplets and quadruplets are common.

9. Black Bengal Goat

Black Bengal goats are the dwarf goats which are a good source of meat, milk, and leather. 

The body weight of an adult Bucks and Does varies from 22-25 kg and 15-18 kg respectively. Wethers (castrated males) weigh typically weigh around 16 kg at one year of age.

The age at sexual maturity in males and females varied from 6 to 7 months.

The Black Bengal goat’s meat is tastier and always in demand.

Due to their small size, feed consumption is less.

They require less space due to their small size. More Goats can be rared in a Goat Shed.

Although these are not all of the meat goat breeds available, these breeds are the most numerous in the U.S. Some groups are trying to develop new crossbreeds of meat goats. There is more variation among individuals within a given breed than there is on average between different breeds.