Boer goat is a highly meat productive goat breed which originated from South Africa. They are of very big sized goat among the other popular meat goat breeds.
They also produce milk highly, but mostly suitable for meat production. Boer goats are generally white colored with red or brown heads.
There are also some completely brown or white colored Boer goats. They have a pair of long and pendulous ear.
They are very fast growing goat breeds and for this reason they are very suitable and most of the farmers prefer them for commercial goat farming purpose.
Boer goats have a very high fertility rates compared to other goat breeds. An adult male Boer goat weights about 110-135 kg and an adult female Boer weights about 90-100 kg.
Male Boer goats are used for breeding and meat production and the female are for producing kids. The meat of Boer goat is very tasty and nutritious.
Boer Goat Full Breed Information
Read full breed information of Boer goat below.
Physical Characteristics
Boer goats have some special characteristics which have made them different from other goat breeds. Physical characteristics of the Boer goat are listed below.
Boer goats commonly have distinctive brown heads and white bodies. Some goats can also be completely white or brown colored.
They possess long, pendulous ears like the Nubian goats. They are very hardy and can adopt themselves with almost all types of weather and climate.
They are noted for having high fertility rates and for being fast growing and docile. As compared to other goat breeds, Boer does are reported to have superior mothering skills. Usually a mature Boer buck weights about 110 to 135 kg and a mature doe weights about 90 to 100 kg.
Feeding
Boer goat generally consumes the same food as other domestic goat breeds do. They usually love to eat leaves of trees, corns, green grasses and some other supplementary feeds.
Big sized show goats require huge amount of nutritious food. Farmer generally raise medium sized goat for commercial production. Because they require less food and easy to maintain.
Be very careful in feed management for raising Boer goats. Good food always ensures good health. Always provide them sufficient amount of clean and fresh water, as they drinks lot of water daily.
Breeding
Most of the farmers prefer purebred Boer goat for breeding purposes. Crossbreeding of Boer goat with other popular goat breeds is also produce high quality and productive kids.
The common and popular crosses of Boer goats are Boer with Spanish goats, Boer with Angora goats, Boer with Kiko goats, Boer with Nubian goats, Boer with Osmanabadi goats, Boer with Jamunapari goats and Boer with Sirohi goats. All of this crossbreeding produces new highly productive goat kids.
Boer Goats For Show
Although Boer goats are raised commercially for their highly meat production. But they are also very popular and suitable for show purposes.
Big sized Boer goats are raised for show. This type of goats need special care, feeding, housing, and other management.
Tips For Raising Boer Goats
To be successful in show, home and commercial farming, Boer goats require some special care and management. Maintain the tips mentioned below to take care of this goat.
- Care the newly born Boer kids carefully. Feed them their mother’s milk regularly. Keep the kids and their mother in a separate room or place for some days.
- Set up a daily schedule to take care of the new kids and their mother.
- Vaccinate the kids to prevent them from virus and diseases.
- Make the house of the goat which is free from worms and all types of insects.
- The house of Boer goats should be suitable and comfortable enough for them. Make the Boer goat house in high places. This will keep the house dry always.
- Always keep a water pot filled with clean and fresh water in front of the goat.
- Try to feed the goat enough fresh and green grasses. It will be better if you can manage a grazing place for your goats near your farm.
Review full breed profile of the Boer goat in the following table.
| Breed Name | Boer | |
| Other Name | Africander, Afrikaner, South African common goat | |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly kept for meat production | |
| Breed Size | Large | |
| Buck | About 110 to 135 kg | |
| Doe | About 90 to 100 kg | |
| Horns | Yes | |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates | |
| Coat Color | Mainly white with brown heads | |
| Good for Stall Fed | Yes | |
| Rarity | Common | |
| Country/Place of Origin | South Africa |
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about Boer goats. Here we are trying to list the most common questions about this fantastic and popular goat breed, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
Is Boer goat farming profitable?
Yes, definitely! Boer is a highly meat producing goat breed and raising them commercially for meat production is very profitable.
How to start Boer goat farming business?
Starting commercial Boer goat farming business is just like starting and operating a goat farming business with any other goat breeds. You just have to select a good location for building your farm, make good shelter for your goats, feed them good quality food, vaccinate them timely and take good care of them.
What is so special about Boer goats?
Boer goats are prized for their rapid weight gain, large size, hardiness, carcass quality and docility. They are among the top goat breeds for meat and very popular throughout the world.
How much is a Boer goat worth?
Boer goats are highly prized for numerous reasons. You have to spend between $400 and $500 for purchasing a registered or show quality Boer goat. Although, exact price can vary from region to region and depends on numerous factors.
What are the disadvantages of Boer goats?
High price, abundance of poor-quality specimens, high feeding requirements and susceptibility to internal parasites are the main disadvantages of Boer goats.
What is the lifespan of a Boer goat?
Average lifespan of a Boer goat is between 12 and 20 years.
Are Boer goats aggressive?
Yes, the Boer goats are likely to be aggressive. But will tend to be the most aggressive in the fall.
Are Boer goats hard to raise?
No, Boer goats are not hard to raise. Raising these goats is very easy and anyone can raise them with little effort.
Are Boer goats noisy?
No, Boer goats are not noisy. They are among the super quiet goat breeds.
How much housing space do Boer goats need?
Generally, a Boer goat require between 10 to 15 square feet housing space.
Are Boer goats cold hardy?
No, they are not cold hardy. Like many other goats, they are also vulnerable to cold and wet weather.
Do Boer goats jump fences?
No, Boer goats are very large in size, and they generally don’t actually jump too high.
What do you feed the Boer goats?
Boer goats are like other goats and they are feed on pasture, hay, grains, haylage and brush.
How often do you feed Boer goats?
You have to feed your goats twice a day.
What kind of grass do goats prefer?
Best grasses for goats are Bahiagrass, Millet, Fescue, Clover, Bromegrass etc.
What are the main characteristics of Boer goats?
The Boer goats are large, stocky animals with a white body and a red head, brown eyes, lop (downward-hanging) ears, backward-curving horns, and strong, well-placed legs. Adult males often reach 160 kg, and females can weigh as much as 110 kg.
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