Which breed of dairy goats should I keep?

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Although there are many breeds of dairy goats in Kenya, only three are the most common and therefore important. Your choice of dairy goat breed will by and large depend on your locality because each breed is suited to certain climatic conditions. The three important breeds are Saanen, Alpines and Toggenburg.

Saanen

White to pale cream in color, they have black spots on the nose and udders and the skin is black spotted. They are usually polled, meaning they are not horned. The ears are normally pointed facing forward.

Saanen

Mature male weigh about 75 Kg and females 50 – 65 Kg. The breed is used to upgrade local goats.

The highest recorded milk yield in the tropics is 800 Kg in 205 days lactation or 3.9 Kg/day. The current world record 3430 Kg per lactation in temperate regions. Butter Fat (BF) content is around 4%.

Problems associated with Saanen are:

  • Sensitive to strong sunlight therefore skin cancer
  • Sensitive to high temperatures
  • Hermaphrodites are very common

Alpines

These breed of dairy goat adapt in the tropics better than the Saanen. German Alpines are more widespread and the color is variable but can be grouped i.e.

  • White front quarter and black hind
  • Grayish front and black hind
  • Black neck and white hind

alpine

Female weigh 60 Kg and male 65 Kg at maturity. Milk yield averages 922.5 Kg per lactation or 4.5 Kg per day and BF content is at 3.6%. The current milk record 2194 kg/lactation.

Toggenburg

This is the least successful exotic breeds in the tropics. Togs have white legs, white stripe from nose to eyes and a characteristic white triangle at the back.

toggenburg

Mature males weigh 65Kg and females 45 Kg.

Milk production is about 3 liters/day and the world record 2613 kg/lactation or 12.5 kg/day. They can produce milk for a long time if not served and are good for upgrading local breeds.

These three breeds are adaptable to a wide range of climate. Alpines and Saanen are hardy and can do well in hot areas. Toggenburg do well in cold areas.

Other than the breeds, the other very important factor is how well you are prepared in terms of management. These goats are high producers and demand a high management level in terms of feeding, husbandry, housing and health.

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+2 # RIONOSIA REUBEN 2020-07-22 19:49
I need atleast ine that is best in the side of kapengurja west pokot county
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+2 # Dianne 2021-07-14 12:23
What can I do to stop deaths of my goats...been showing symptoms such as - drooping mucus, eye blindness, general weaknesses. Vet had diagnosed PPR, treated the with antibiotic but the death continues. Lost close to 20 now in the last 1 month.
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+2 # Myra 2021-07-15 13:58
Anyone talking about dairy goats should do his calculations on the costs of:
1.Fodder
2. Medicine
3.Labour
4. Maintenance + water intake.
Visa vis amount of milk you get from a grade hi cow.
My calculations do not add up.
Better a milk goat than a cow.
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+2 # Irene 2021-07-20 14:08
I have also had deaths of my herd but the lungs and liver have all looked badly damaged. The signs mentioned above has also been occurring although some have cured.
I am thus looking to have a reliable and well trained qualified vet in Kajiado to possibly discuss professional arrangement of attending to my herd. I appreciate being given contacts.
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+2 # Richard 2021-07-29 11:06
Just being curious, how much is a pure dairy goat breed? The DGAK figures between 20,000 to 30,000. I think the price is quite high for a small animal.
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+1 # Marita 2021-09-27 18:17
I want to know about other goat breeds such as Galla, Boer and the Small East African Goat. Can they be used for milk as in if they are kept for dual purpose?
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