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The Boer goat is a breed from South Africa known for meat production, hardiness, and reproductive rates. Boer goats are prized for size, weight gain, muscular build, hardiness, carcass quality, docility, and productivity. Their popularity increased worldwide. What are space requirements? Goats need little space, requiring shelter from weather. They need daily access to forage, hay, and water. And they need exercise room. Shelters for goats need not be expensive but must protect from wind and rain.
Boer goats are available worldwide. Vaccinate them at 3 months to prevent major diseases. What do Boer goats eat? They thrive on shrubs, brush, legume hay, vegetables, and fruit. Boer goat milk is 6% fat with small production, so they are not top dairy goats. Their average lifespan is up to 20 years. Females live longer than males. Their longevity and mellow temperament make Boer goats fine pets and show animals.
The Boer goat has a white body and red head with long droopy ears. They are medium to large sized. Boer goats tend to be vigorous, adaptable, and hardy for varied environments. Their curious and playful nature also makes them delightful to observe. Crossbreeding Boer with local Zambian goats can produce meat hybrids if genetically and economically compatible.
Why are Boer goats so expensive?
Boer goats are in high demand because they grow fast and produce desirable carcasses. Breeding animals have been very expensive due to the limited numbers originally imported, but recent numbers have increased sufficiently that prices have become more reasonable. You can support about six to eight goats on an acre of land.
Since goat meat has less fat and marbling than lamb it is generally a tougher cut of red meat than lamb. Eating goat meat is healthy. The price tag for a registered or show quality Boer goat will likely be between $400 to $500. Most production sales today see an average sales price of about $600 per animal or a little less.
When it comes to determining the cost of a Boer goat, several factors come into play including age, gender, breeding capability, pedigree and even coat coloration and pattern. Younger animals are cheaper than older, more proven animals. Intact males are often cheaper than females.
Registered breeding stock with exceptional pedigree and production records commands higher prices. Some coat color patterns like dapples also increase value. If the goat weights over 100 pounds, the meat does not taste as great so it sells for less. Boer goat costs range from $60 to $2,000; nonetheless, average Boer goat rates are around $80 – $150.
A pet Boer goat can cost $200. Over the goat’s lifetime there are many other expenses for proper care including food, housing, health care and equipment. But the Boer is an excellent meat and pet goat breed worldwide.
Are Boer goats hard to raise?
Raising Boer goats is very easy. Anyone can raise them with little effort. An adult male Boer goat weights about 110-135 kg. An adult female Boer weights about 90-100 kg. Male Boer goats are used for breeding and meat production. The female are for producing kids.
Boer goats have a very high fertility rates compared to other goat breeds. The meat of Boer goat is very tasty and nutritious. Their name comes from the Dutch word “boer” meaning farmer. This breed of goat typically has a white body with a brown head and ears. Their ears are long, similar to Nubian goat ears.
Boer goats do well in hot, dry climates and seem to have a high resistance to diseases. It will take 3 months to raise a Boer goat to 50 pounds, while diary goats will take 3-5 months. Bucklings and wethers will reach 50 pounds faster than doelings. Goat kids on full feed grow faster than kids not on full feed.
If you love raising outdoor farm animals, Boer goats are great to have as pets. They’re friendly and docile. These goats also have a high fertility rate, rarely get sick, and grow quite large. Although they’re known as excellent meat producers, they make cute pets too. Baby goats love to be coddled. Keeping them in pairs ensures they are happy.
Some complain goats stink! This is true of the bucks, but they are not pets you have inside. So this shouldn’t be an issue. They communicate by bleating. Boer goats that are raised in pastures lower costs and increase profit if sold to the meat market. In winter and around kidding, they should get horse quality hay. They should also get legume hay like alfalfa and lespedeza as these are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Goats do not like grain. If underweight, they can be given grains to help gain weight.
For a 160 pound Boer goat: feed costs are $147.6 per goat per year with 6 months grazing and 6 months feeding. If feeding everyday, little pasture then double to $295.20 per goat per year. Each goat needs 30 to 50 square feet for grazing. Goats should also get supplemental foods like hay and grain if they cannot get enough fresh grass daily. The best way to keep feed costs down is to feed Boers quality pasture.
Boer goats are available worldwide. Keep them vaccinated at 3 months to stay healthy. The Boer goat breed has sufficient milk to raise kids that mature early. The breed is prolific, with kidding rates of 200 percent. It has a non-determinate breeding season, allowing three kiddings every two years. Occasionally father/daughter breeding is ok but not ideal. Negative traits like aggression or low milk production may be accentuated in offspring.
Mature Boer does weigh 190-230 pounds, bucks 200-340 pounds. They are among the largest breeds. Boers have mild temperaments, are affectionate, and require no milking, special care or shearing. They can survive under poor foraging conditions, setting them apart. As meat producers they are large-framed and resemble Nubians. Though hardy, some may struggle with parasites in hot climates. Life expectancy is 8 to 12 years. Gentle giants can be companion animals.
How much meat do you get from a Boer goat?
A live Boer goat is 60 lbs. After harvest it’s hanging weight is about 30 lbs. (about 50% of live weight). It then converts into about 21-22.5 lbs. of meat (about 70-75% of hanging weight).
A goat may produce 18 kg (40 lb) of meat. Boer goats have the fastest growth and best meat-to-bone conversion, valuable for homesteaders. In 1993, the first Boer goats were imported to the U.S.
Purebred Boer goats range between $150-$400. Goat meat sells for $7-$11 per pound.
An acre can sustain 10+ goats compared to two steers. A goat may produce 40 pounds meat, less than cattle/pigs. Beef/pork/lamb/goat contain high purines, may trigger gout.
A lactating Boer doe needs 2-3+ gallons of water daily, depending on milk produced. Kids grow faster on full feed.
Lifespan is 7-8 years. A Boer goat gets pregnant three times in two years, has two kids per pregnancy. It takes 3 months to raise a Boer kid to 50 pounds. Dairy kids take 3-5 months. Bucklings and wethers reach 50 pounds faster than doelings.