Indian Goat Breeds: List Of Top 14 Popular Breeds

The goat breeds which were originated from India are called Indian goat breeds. There are many goat breeds available which are native to India, but popular throughout the South Asian countries and some other parts of the world as well. And all these goats are called Indian goat breeds.

The Indian goat breeds are very hardy, strong and productive. They can adapt themselves to many climatic conditions. Today, commercial goat farming business is very popular in India. And demand for the native Indian goat breeds has also increased.

There are also numerous goat breeds available depending on the geographical location of India. But all these goat breeds are not suitable for commercial production and also not that popular. Each of these goat breeds is different from others in terms of their profiles, characteristics and overall performances.

List of Indian Goat Breeds

Goat farming in India is gaining popularity faster. If you are a beginner and want to start goat farming business, then you must know about the available type of goat breeds in India and their characteristics and production performance. Here we are shortly describing about some most popular Indian goat breeds.

1. Barbari goat

The Barbari goats are mostly found in the regions of Gurgaon, Delhi, Panipat, Karnal, Uttar Pradesh and Rothak in the state of Haryana. They are short haired and erect-horned animals. They appear in white color with light brown patches. Barbari is a dual-purpose animal and good for both meat and milk production. A lactating doe on average can produce about 1.5 kg of milk daily.

Both bucks and does have good reproductive capabilities and the does can give birth to twins and even triplets. The does generally give birth twice in every 12 to 15 months. Average live body weight of the mature bucks is between 35 and 45 kg. And the doe’s average live body weight is between 25 and 35 kg. The Barbari goat is very suitable for stall fed goat farming system.

2. Beetal goat

The Beetal goats are mostly found in the state of Punjab and Haryana. But today due to it’s high popularity, the breed is found almost in every states of India. It is also a dual-purpose animal and well suited for both meat and milk production. Beetal goats have many similarities in appearance to the Jamunapari goats. But they are much smaller in size when compared to Jamunapari.

Beetal goats are mainly seen in black and brown color with white spots. The bucks are generally bearded and their average live body weight is between 45 and 65 kg. And average live body weight of the mature does is between 35 and 45 kg. The does start kidding at the age of 20 to 24 months, and the babies weight around 2.5 kg at the time of birth. Average lactation period of the Beetal goats is about 6 months with an average milk production of about 1-2 kg daily.

3. Changthangi goat

The Changthangi goats are noted for their delicate fiber yield. They are predominantly white in color and the rest are brown, black and gray. Their ears are smaller in size which are pricked and pointed outwards. They have large horns which are turning inward, upward and outward. The does generally give birth to singles, and the first kidding starts at the age of 20-22 months and they kid once a year. The Changthangi is a medium sized goat breed with the males weighting 20-22 kg and the females between 18 and 20 kg.

4. Chegu goat

The Chegu goats are predominantly white in color, but grayish red and mixed colors can also be found. They have long hair with under coat of fibre below. Their ears are small, legs are medium and face and muzzle is tapering. Their horns are generally bent backward, outward and upward with one or more twists. The Chegu does generally kid once a year and mostly singles. Average live body weight of the males is between 36 and 40 kg. And average live body weight of the females is around 26 kg.

5. Jakharana goat

The Jakharana goats are raised mainly as a dairy goat breed. And it is an important dairy goat breed of the semi-arid tract of the Rajasthan state of India. They are medium to large sized animal with relatively compact body. Their body appearance is almost similar to the Beetal goat, but the Jakharana goats are much longer.

Their coat color is black with white spots on the ears and muzzle. Their face is straight with raised forehead. Average live body weight of the mature does is around 45 kg. And average live body weight of the mature bucks is around 55 kg.

6. Jamunapari goat

The Jamunapari goats are mostly found in the Uttar Pradesh state and surroundings, but today they are available in most of the parts of India and some other South Asian countries. They are among the largest of the long-legged goat breeds available in India. The Jamunapari goats are mostly seen in white color and black markings at ears and neck, although other colored animals are also seen. Both bucks and does have beard and both have long hairs on buttocks.

Horns of these goats are horizontally twisting backward. Kidding start at the age of 20 to 24 months and the kid’s birth weight is about 3 to 4 kg. Jamunapari goat is actually a dairy goat breed and raised mainly for milk production. Average milk production of these goats is between 2 and 3 kg daily. Average live body weight of the bucks is between 65 and 75 kg. And average live body weight of the mature does is between 45 and 60 kg.

7. Kanni Adu goat

Kanni Adu goats are mainly found in the Tamil Nadu states of India. They are the tallest goats found in the Tamil Nadu state. Kanni Adu goats have high degree of tolerance in drought conditions and they grow well in the drought area. They are mainly seen in black or white spots, but other colors are also occasionally found. Twin and triplet kiddings are common. The Kanni Adu goats are mainly raised as a meat goat breed. Average live body weight of the mature does is between 25 and 30 kg, and the mature buck’s average live body weight is between 35 and 40 kg.

8. Kodi Adu goat

The Kodi Adu goats are also mainly found in the Tamil Nadu state of India. Coat color of these animals is predominantly black, but other colors are also found. The Kodi Adu goats are taller in size and raised mainly for meat production purpose.

9. Kutchi Goat

The Kutchi goats are also known as Kathiawari goat. It is an important breed of domestic goat from Gujarat state of India. It is a dual-purpose breed and raised for both meat and milk production. The Kutchi goats are medium sized animal with a compact body and relatively long legs.

The animals have predominantly black colored coat with a few white spots. Their ears are of medium size, flappy and drooping with typical white markings. Their face is slightly raised. The does can produce around 2 kg of milk daily. Average live body weight of the mature does is around 40 kg. And the mature buck’s average live body weight is between 46 and 49 kg.

10. Mehsana goat

Mehsana is a dual-purpose Indian goat breed from the Gujarat state of India. The breed is found in it’s most pure form in it’s native area, but are also found in the surrounding areas. The Mehsana goats are medium to large sized animal with convex face profile. Their coat color is mainly black with white spots at the base of the ears. The hair on their coat is long and shaggy and their nose line is straight.

Their ears are of medium size and white in color. Their horns have one or two twists and curved upward and backward with pointed tips. And both male and females are honed. Average live body weight of the mature bucks is around 37 kg. And the mature doe’s average live body weight is around 32 kg.

11. Malabari goat

The Malabari goats are also called Tellichery goats. And they are mainly found in the Kerala state of India. Malabari is a dual-purpose goat breed and raised for both milk and meat production purpose. The animals are generally found in white, black and purple colors. Average milk production of the does is between 1 and 2 kg daily. Average live body weight of the mature does is between 35 and 40 kg. And the mature bucks on average weight between 45 and 50 kg.

12. Osmanabadi goat

The Osmanabadi goats are mainly found in Maharashtra state of India, and also found in the neighboring states of Karnataka and Telangana. Coat color of these animals is predominantly black. Although sometimes white, brown and spotted colors are also found. Osmanabadi goats are long and short-haired type, based on the presence or absence of long hair on the thigh and hind quarters. Their body is generally large with long legs. The does give birth to kids once a year with the kid’s birth weight around 2.5 kg.

Osmanabadi is a dual-purpose goat breed which is raised for both meat and milk production. Average milk production of a lactating doe is between 3 and 3.5 kg. Average live body weight of the mature doe is between 30 and 32 kg. And the mature buck’s average live body weight is between 32 and 36 kg.

13. Sirohi goat

The Sirohi goats are mainly found in the Rajasthan state of India, and also in the surrounding regions. Sirohi goats are very popular, and today they are found in almost all states of India and also in some other South Asian countries. The coat color of these animals is mainly brown, white and a mixture of colors in patches. Their hair is coarse and short.

Body of the Sirohi goats is compact and medium in size. Average kidding age of the does is between 19 and 20 months. Average live body weight of the mature does is between 25 and 30 kg. And the mature buck’s average live body weight is around 50 kg.

14. Surti goat

Surti goats are among the best dairy goat breeds in India. The breed was named from the place called ‘Surat’ in Gujarat state of India. Their body is small to medium in size and compact. Their coat is predominantly white in color with short and lustrous hairs.

Their ears of medium size and dropping. Average milk production of a lactating doe is around 2 kg per day. Average live body weight of the mature does is around 30 kg. On the other hand, average live body weight of the mature bucks is around 32 kg.

These are the common and most popular Indian goat breeds. There are also numerous many other local goat breeds available in many different parts of the country. But the above listed breeds are most popular and commonly raised. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

People ask many questions about Indian goat breeds. Here we are trying to list the most common questions about Indian goat breeds, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.