Boer Goat Breeding and Profile Information

Boer Goat Breeding Information:

This article talks about Boer Goat breeding.

Boer goat  is considered to be one of the most desirable goat breeds for meat production. It has gained worldwide recognition for excellent body conformation, fast growing rate and good carcass quality.The breed standards for the improved Boer goats include conformation, head, neck and forequarters, barrel, hindquarters, legs, skin and coverings, sexual organs, size, coloring, tail, general appearance and type, and fertility.

Boer goats are known to have a fast growing rate compared to other goat breeds. Growth rate of the first 12 months can be 200 g/day under good pastoral conditions. Among all superior traits for goat meat production, heavier body weight and faster growing rate are the most notable. Birth weight of Boer kids ranges from 3 to 4 kg with male kids weighing about 0.5 kg heavier than female (Figure 1). Kids at weaning can weigh from 20 to 25 kg, depending on weaning methods and age . At 7 month of age, bucks weigh about 40 to 50 kg while does weigh about 35 to 45 kg. At yearling, bucks weigh 50 to 70 kg and does weigh 45 to 65 kg. Mature weights for bucks and does are 90-130 kg and 80-100 kg, respectively. These body weights measurements can be variable because of influences of genetics, nutrition, health and disease, breeding age and method, and management system.

While some Boer goat breeding producers prefer to have their rams (bucks) run with the ewes (does) all year round, it is good management practice to have specific breeding seasons. The reason is that a management cycle can be planned that significantly reduces the year round work cycle.

It is important, however, to consider various factors when planning the boer goat breeding cycle:

1. fodder flow and feed availability,
2. natural estrus cycle of the Boer goat,
3. market cycle,
4. marketing date, and
5. personal management factors.

In terms of management inputs, it significantly reduces the workload if all inoculations, vaccinations, ear tagging and other practices can be carried out simultaneously rather than having to handle lambs on an ongoing never-ending basis. A breeding cycle also ensures that the producer can present large groups of Boer goats for sale rather than smaller lots of animals.

Ewes:

The reproduction rate of Boer goats is one of the most beneficial characteristics for the meat producer. Twin births and lambing percentages of 180 – 200% are common. There are various factors which affect the reproduction percentage of the ewe:

1. season.
2. age.
3. body mass.
4. nutrition.

The Boer goat ewe displays seasonal estrus with a peak in April/May (southern hemisphere autumn) and a trough from October to January (southern hemisphere midsummer). With high nutrition levels, ewes reach puberty at an age of six months. However, pregnancies at this young age can disrupt growth and permanently rein in future performance. A rule of thumb dictates that young ewes should not be mated before reaching two thirds the flock’s average adult body mass. Good grazing and pasture condition go hand in hand with animal production (lambing percentages and milk production). As with any ruminant, nutrition levels have a noticeable impact on the reproduction levels of Boer goats.

Rams:

One infertile ewe has only a minimal impact on the reproduction index of a flock while an infertile ram has a major impact. Generally, the following practices have a direct or indirect impact on improved reproduction two to three months before mating:

1. dose with vitamins A, D and E,
2. Supplement zinc if zinc levels are too low in pastures,
3. Inoculate against pulpy kidney,
4. Dose for round worm and nose worm, Ensure that rams are in a good condition and are free from any hoof problems,
5. Rams should receive adequate exercise to ensure that they are fit and don’t become too fat and lazy.

Boer Goat Breeding – Before Mating Occurs:
Make sure ewes are not too fat one month before mating, so that a growing condition can be effected before mating.

Generally, the following practices have a direct or indirect impact on improved reproduction four to six weeks before mating:

1. Supplement zinc and manganese if a shortfall is present, it raises fertility,
2. Inoculate against enzootic abortion and pulpy kidney,
3. Dose for roundworm and nose worm,
4. Ensure that ewes are in a good condition and have no hoof problems,
5. Reject all ewes with problem udders, teats that are either abnormally enlarged and multiple teats.
6. Inject, or dose with, Vitamins A, D and E three weeks before the mating season. This is extremely important, especially during dry periods.
7. Administer stimulating feed in the form of spare camps, a good lick or a small amount of maize daily.
8. Put teaser rams in place 2-3 weeks before mating time.
9. Have rams tested for fertility.

Boer Goat Breeding – Mass Mating: One ram per 35 – 40 ewes. It is very important to endeavor to mating the young ewes separately from the mature ewes.

Boer Goat Breeding – Single Mating: One ram per 50 ewes.
With regard to the above, it is very important to keep rams in small shady camps during hot periods with a small amount of growing supplement and rams should only be let loose among ewes during the evening. This system works particularly well in cases where goats are penned at night.

Controlled Servicing: Try to do this in cool weather wherever possible. A ram can cover an ewe every half hour.

Artificial Insemination: Contact nearest veterinary hospital or  Talk to veterinary doctor for technical details.

For Boer Goat Profile: Read here.

For Agriculture in India: Read here.

Read: Sheep Farming Questions and Answers.

 To buy Boer Goats in India vist at:

Contact for Boer goat breeding :

NIMBKAR SEEDS PVT LTD.
Near Jinti Bridge, Lonand Road,
Phaltan – 415523, Dt. Satara, Maharashtra
India.

Phone: 02166 – 222298, 221375

Fax: 02166- 221282