Dual-Purpose Goat Breeds
If you are looking for goats that will give you more, this list of dual-purpose goat breeds will help. Our top picks for cross-breeding goats so you get exactly what you are looking for.
Finding goat breeds that fit your wish list is a great way to set up a profitable homestead.
If you love both goat milk and goat meat but raising a large herd is out of the question, you may want to consider dual-purpose breeds—a mixture of dairy and meat goats that will give you the best of both worlds.
What does dual purpose mean?
By crossing a dairy goat with a meat goat you will create offspring that will produce more milk than a meat breed and have more meat than a dairy breed.
Dual-purpose goats are a great choice for homesteaders or small farmers who want to minimize the livestock’s resources without having to raise separate groups of dairy and meat goats.
Dairy Goat Reproduction: Breeding, Birthing, and Milking + Goat Milk Recipes
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Dual Purpose Goat Breeds
The good news about dual purpose goats is there are already a common breed on the market that you can raise without having to do the cross breeding yourself.
Nubians
Nubian goats are commonly thought of as dairy goats, but they are also considered a dual-purpose breed. This is mainly because of their stock-like frame giving more meat than other dairy goats.
Meat: Is savory with a slightly sweet taste similar to lamb.
Dairy: A think creamy milk with a nice butterfat content. Their quantity is average and can give up to a half gallon daily.
Pros: We mainly raise Nubian goats, and their milk is amazing. It is rich and creamy, and we get a good quantity daily.
Cons: They are large goats that may be difficult to work with if you are doing this on your own. Nubians are also vocal which may be frustrating for neighbors living nearby.
Kinder
Another goat that is commonly thought of as dairy first is the Kinder goat but they are surprisingly good meat producers as well.
Meat: Kinder goats have lean meat that is tender, similar to lamb.
Dairy: Sweet and creamy milk with a very high butterfat content.
Pros: Kinder goats are a smaller breed of goat, making them easier to handle. They produce meat quickly, reaching market weight faster.
Cross Breeding for Dual-Purpose
Raising goats for profit is a great way to offset costs on a homestead. By crossing a meat and dairy goat breed, you can create a dual-purpose breed that you can sell to supplement costs.
The most popular meat goats are Boers and Kikos. You can cross these to any of your favorite dairy breeds to create a combination you love.
Boer Nubian Cross
This is our top pick and the combination we have cross-bred on our homestead.
Where we live, the Amish are common customers of ours. They appreciate having goats that produce milk as well as meat giving them more options when raising them. This makes it easier to sell this dual-purpose offspring than any other.
Meat: A savory meat that is tender and juicy.
Dairy: A creamy milk that is tasty, although production will be slightly lower than that of a full Nubian.
Pros: A great option of dual-purpose goat, giving great tasting milk and meat that is easier to sell.
Raising dual-purpose goats will give you more options on your homestead. Not only will you get access to dairy and meat with your herd, but you will also have an income source by selling any offspring you do not need.
I hope this guide encourages you to begin raising goats so you can enjoy fresh milk and savory meat on your homestead.
