cross-breeding goats
Knowing about cross-breeding goats will help you to grow a herd of the best quality does that are great milkers, hardy, and people friendly. This type of breeding sounds difficult but with good records and a plan, you will find it is easier than you think.
Goat breeding this way is crucial to having a productive and lucrative goat farm.
Cross-breeding goats can be a helpful strategy for upgrading your herd’s quality. By blending the strengths of different breeds, you can bring in traits like improved milk production and better meat quality but also improved temperament and better stamina.
Even with a small herd, cross-breeding is a helpful way to raise a herd that fits where you live and your overall homesteading goals.
What does cross-breeding mean?
Cross-breeding is the mating of two different breeds of animals, usually with the goal of creating a hybrid that has qualities from both parent goats.
For example, if you want a dairy goat that can also be used for meat, you can cross a Nubian with a Boer, giving you a great hybrid.
What different breeds are there?
For goats there are many different breeds that come with their own set of pros and cons. Before breeding you will want to do your research so you choose the best breeds for what you are looking for.
You can check out our complete list of Goat Breeds to get an overall view of what’s available.
Traits to look for when cross-breeding
When selecting a goat for breeding, there are certain traits you will want to look for to help you make the best selection.
This includes dairy, meat, and personality traits.
Milk Quantity
Goats with higher production levels can produce more milk If quantity is something you want, this is an important trait to carry on consider Nubians and Alpines.
Milk Quality
Some goats give high-butterfat milk, which has more fat content and is richer than regular dairy goat milk. If you are looking for high-quality milk, then Nigerian Dwarf goats are the breed to look at.
Size of the goat
Goats of larger size produce more milk, so it is important to look for goats that will allow for maximum production. Larger goats also have larger teats that make hand milking easier.
If you are looking for larger goats and teats, then look at Nubians, Alpines, Lamanchas, and Toggenburgs.
Goat Record Keeping Log Book: Goat Record Book, Goat Health Care Book, Weight Tracker, Feeding Record, Medical Record Book, Goat Breeding and Kidding Journal
Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats: Breeds, Care, DairyingStorey’s Illustrated Breed Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle and Pigs: 163 Breeds from Common to RareGoats Giving Birth: What to Expect during Kidding Season
Hardiness
Hardy goats come with strong immune systems and tend to be more disease resistant. This can be helpful if you live in an area with ground deficiencies or heavy parasites. Look at the Boer and Alpine breeds for hardiness.
Hardy and Healthy Hooves
Goats with healthy strong hooves tend to do better in wet areas, another trait to consider when looking to cross-breed. The Nubian, Alpine, and Pygmy breeds are known for their hardy hooves.
Temperament
It’s important to find goats that are calm and cooperative. This includes animals that don’t shy away from being handled, and it also means looking for a goat who won’t be aggressive towards other goats in the herd.
It’s true you can train goats to behave both with people and on the milk stand, however those with natural temperaments are more beneficial in a herd.
Breeds that are known to be calm include Saanen, Oberhasli, Nubian, and Kiko.
Goat Training Resources:
Body types
If you have goats with desirable colors in their fur, you can continue this look in the line. This can be beneficial if selling goats is part of your income revenue on your homestead.
If you like spots for example, then look into the Dappled Boer.
How to Cross-Breed Goats step by step
Overall cross-breeding goats is done the same as any breeding plan; the biggest difference will be in your record keeping. If you have never bred goats before, you will want to read a few of our getting started articles first.
Goat Breeding for Beginners:
If you do not have a record journal for your goats, you can use a binder or notebook. Notes are crucial when cross-breeding, as you will need to refer to them each breeding season.
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Step #1. Stay Organized
When looking to cross-breed goats, it’s important to stay organized and have a plan in place. Start by creating a list of the most desirable traits you are looking for, along with the breed you are considering. This could include size, hardiness, temperament, color, and production levels.
Next, list out every member of your herd now, along with a brief description of their traits. Be sure to list out their good traits and bad.
Step #2. Choose Your Does
Once you have your list of traits written for each member of your herd you can use that list to choose the does that are your best candidates.
If you have the space in your barn or shelter, put the chosen does into one area until you are ready to breed.
Set up a page for each doe that you will breed in your record journal. Include the name, age, weight, and any other information needed.
Be sure to include her traits as well, both the good and the less than desirable.
Step #3. SElect the Buck
If you have a buck that also has good traits you want to carry on, you can use him to breed your selected does. If you do not have a buck, you can either look into driveway breeding or artificial insemination.
SLCG Pro Tip: Make sure to keep track of which animals are related and what their offspring will be, so you know which goats could potentially reproduce.
Step #4. Monitor the Does
Once you have bred your does, it is important to monitor them closely for signs of heat and signs your goat is bred. During this time, keep notes on their individual record pages about how they look throughout the season – what health issues came up during gestation, if there were any difficulties during labor, etc.
Notes like these can be invaluable if a similar issue arises in the future.
Cross-breeding goats is a great way to bring in desirable traits from different bloodlines into your herd. It’s important to stay organized, select does with desirable traits, understand how to breed them, and monitor them closely during gestation.
With good organization and management practices, cross-breeding can be a successful endeavor for any goat farmer.
