The Sarda goat is a dual-purpose breed of domestic goat which is raised for both meat and milk production. Actually the Sarda goat is an indigenous breed from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, off the west coast of central Italy.
It is an ancient breed that has been influenced by the Maltese goat. The breed probably originated as a cross between various breeds (especially Maltese) which were introduced to the Italian island.
The Sarda goat is raised throughout the Sardinia island, particularly in the provinces of Cagliari and Nuoro.
The Sarda goat is one of the eight autochthonous Italian goat breeds for which a genealogical herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep- and goat-breeders. And the herdbook was established in 1981.
Total Sarda goat population was 260,000 in 1998, of which 6,577 were registered in the herdbook. But at the end of 2013, the registered population was 11,121.
Today the breed is mainly raised for milk production and also for meat. Read more information about Sarda goat below.
Sarda Goat Characteristics
The Sarda goats are beautiful medium sized animal. They have medium build body, long neck and are deep-chested. The does have well-developed udders.
Both bucks and does are usually horned and may be bearded. And their coat color also vary. Average height of the mature bucks is about 77 cm, and about 70 cm for the does.
The mature bucks on average weight about 67 kg, and average body weight of the Sarda does is about 50 kg. Photo from Italian breeds- Agraria.org
Uses
It is a dual-purpose breed of goat. They are suitable for both milk and meat production. But the breed is mainly kept for milk production in it’s native area.
Special Considerations
Sarda goats are very hardy, and are well-suited for being raised in a wild or semi-wild state in tough conditions. They are well adapted to the local environment of the Sardinia island, hills where arid soils are predominant.
The Sarda goats are not among the best dairy goat breeds. Their milk yield per lactation is 173 ± 62 liters for primiparous, 215 ± 98 liters for secondiparous, and 237 ± 109 liters for pluriparous, nannies.
Average lactation period of the Sarda goat is about 220 to 240 days. Milk of this breed on average contain about 3.94 percent of protein, and used for making various types of milk products. Review full breed profile of this breed in the following table.
| Breed Name | Sarda |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Meat & Milk |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Buck | About 67 kg |
| Doe | About 50 kg |
| Horns | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Coat Color | Many |
| Good for Stall Fed | Not Sure |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Italy |
