The Marwari goat is a beautiful breed of domestic goat from India. It’s a dual purpose goat breed and raised for both meat and milk production. It is a desert goat breed and well known for it’s tolerance of hot and cold climates.
Marwari goat is also well known for it’s capabilities of disease resistance and capabilities of thriving in very harsh nutritional conditions. The breed derives it’s name after the ‘Marwar‘ region of Rajasthan, which is it’s natural habitat.
The Marwari goat is available and distributed through the Marwar region of Rajasthan, comprising Jodhpur, Pali, Nagaur, Bikaner, Jalore, Jaisalmer and Barmer districts.
The breed is also available and reared in certain areas of Gujarat state, especially in the Mehsana district and up to Agra district of Uttar Pradesh.
The Marwari goat is raised in both small and large flocks. The small flocks are stationary. But migration of the larger flocks is the routine practice during the lean period.
Larger flocks of the Marwari goats start migrating in March-April in many directions through their well-established routs. And they usually return back in July.
Marwari goats are well adapted to the harsh environment of the Thar desert. And most of the animals are kept on extensive goat farming system. Read more information about this goat breed below.
Marwari Goat Characteristics
Marwari goats are medium sized animal with predominantly black color. But goats with brown and white markings are also found. Their coat contains long hairs, and the coat is shaggy and dull in appearance.
They have long, flapping and dropping ears. Both bucks and does have medium length horns. Their horns are directed upward and backward and pointed at tips.
The Marwari bucks have longer and stronger horns than the does. Both bucks and does are usually bearded. Their tail is small and thin. Udder of the does is small and round with small teats placed laterally.
Average body weight of the Marwari bucks is about 39 to 42 kg, and the does on average weight about 32 kg. Photo and info from Animal Genetics Training Resource.
Uses
The Marwari goat is a dual-purpose breed of goats. It is raised for both meat and milk production.
Special Considerations
Marwari goats are very hardy and strong animals. They are well adapted to the harsh environment of the Thar desert. They are well known for their hot and cold climates tolerance. And also noted for their disease resistance power and their capabilities of thriving well in very harsh nutritional conditions.
The does are pretty good milk producers. The does on average produce about 0.5 to 1 kg of milk daily when raised on grazing system. But they can produce about 2 to 3 kg of milk if raised in stall fed goat farming system.
The Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of Rajasthan has introduced cross-breeding with Jamunapari goat for increasing milk production.
Kidding in Marwari goat is mainly single births, with a twinning percentage of around 10 percent. Kidding percentages increases if the goats are kept in stall fed systems and given supplementary feeds. However, review full breed profile of this breed in the following table.
| Breed Name | Marwari |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Dual-purpose (Meat & Milk) |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Buck | About 39 to 42 kg |
| Doe | About 32 kg |
| Horns | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Coat Color | Black |
| Good for Stall Fed | Yes |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | India |
