BOER GOATS
Boer goats commonly have white bodies and distinctive brown heads. Like the Nubian goat, they possess long, pendulous ears. They are noted for being docile, fast growing, and having high fertility rates. Does are reported to have superior mothering skills as compared to other goats. Mature Boer bucks weigh between 110-135 kg (240-300 lb), and mature does between 90-100 kg (200-220 lb). As the Boer goat is a very “young” breed it is fair to say that they are still very much under development and there are still noticeable differences in type within the breed. |
A perfectly marked Boer has a mainly chestnut / chocolate coloured head and neck and an all white short coated body. The Boer is naturally horned but many breeders prefer to disbud kids within the first week. The breed has a very docile temperament so disbudding is very much an optional exercise. Mature does weigh 80 -100Kg whilst adult bucks tip the scales at well over 100Kg. Due to selective breeding and improvement, the Boer goat has a fast growth rate and excellent carcass qualities, making it one of the most popular breeds of meat goat in the world. Boer goats have a high resistance to disease and adapt well to various conditions.
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Much like the Black Headed Dorpers we had admired the Boer Goat for some time and were lucky enough to purchase eight yearling females and a very good buck from the Topknot herd. Boer Goats have fitted in well with our grassland management system. They are not big grazers and do require hay and a little concentrate each day. We are producing quality registered stock in manageable numbers. We aim to wean healthy, strong and fleshy kids that grow well, and the mother has a adequate milk yield and shows good mothering instinct then that is the sort of family line worth keeping in the herd.
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