Contents
Breeding goats in our country is more preferable to dairy breeds. Goat milk is very useful, it is much more efficiently absorbed by the human body, but it has its own specific taste. One of the well-known dairy breeds is the Alpine goat breed.
Breed characteristics
The origin of these animals has French roots, which were diluted with the Saanen and Toggenburg breeds. This was done by American scientists in order to improve the look.
The color of an alpine goat can be completely different: black and white, black and white and red, etc. In total, 8 species are distinguished. For example, the color of chamois can be seen in the photo below. A black stripe along the spine, black legs and two stripes on the head are the hallmarks of this breed.
A small head, protruding ears, a large body on graceful legs, an elongated tail, straight horns.
The udder is large with two large teats.
These goats have a fairly large build. The weight of an adult goat is about 60 kg, and that of a goat is more than 70. The height of the female is 75 cm, the male is 80 cm.
The first lambing will bring one kid, later their number can reach up to 5 pieces in one litter.
Animals of this breed have a friendly character, but at the same time they are quite active, especially in foraging.
They have good milk qualities, which will be discussed in more detail.
These animals tolerate winter well. Although they are covered with a short, smooth coat, an insulating undercoat grows in winter.
Milk productivity
An Alpine goat produces 1500 kg of milk per year. The lactation period lasts up to 3 years after pregnancy. Milk has a fat content of 3,5%, protein content – 3,1%, has a pleasant taste without a sharp specific odor. The absence of a characteristic smell is mandatory only for purebred representatives of this breed. Milk has a higher density than cow’s milk. The taste is sweet, creamy. Like cow’s milk, goat’s milk is used in the manufacture of cottage cheese and cheeses.
Growing and breeding
Alpine goats are quite unpretentious to feed and easy to care for, so their breeding will not be exhausting work, but an interesting process that brings results. In addition, these animals are very prolific.
Even mixed offspring have a characteristic color for more than one generation. The characteristic color of the Alpine goat in the photo.
Content Requirements
- Despite its endurance before low temperatures, it is advisable to keep alpine goats in a warm room in winter. This will make the winter milk supply the same as the summer;
- The room should not be damp, air humidity can be from 40 to 60%;
- The floors must be insulated. Legs are the weak point of ungulates;
- One Alpine goat requires 4 m2 of space. For a mother with kids, there should be a fenced stall;
- The room must be clean.
Therefore, there are cases of saving another breed with the blood of the Alpine breed.
Alpiek is not always crossed with less promising breeds, sometimes it is an equivalent dairy species, such as the Nubian goat breed. Dairy characteristics, which are somewhat superior to those of alpine goats. Nubian are whimsical in food, require the use of special feed. In addition, they are not adapted to the harsh winter climate. A mixture with alpine breed makes the offspring unpretentious in care, more hardy, while maintaining high productivity. Nubiek color has the same tones. In the photo, goats of the Nubian breed.
Feeding the Alpine breed
Alpine goats are also unpretentious in food, like others. However, it is worth thinking that normal milk yield will be from an animal that has good health and adequate nutrition.
The basis of the diet of the Alpine goat breed is hay, it should always be freely available. In summer, hay replaces pasture with fresh grass. These animals give preference to coarser dry food, therefore, even in summer, when grazing, they look for dry leaves and gnaw on the branches of young trees, while not touching the succulent grass.
Grain feed or vegetable supplements are needed, but much less than hay.
How much hay does an Alpine goat need per year? Are there any rules? The norm is the constant presence of hay in the feeder. However, it was calculated that the approximate amount of consumption is 50 tightly packed bags, in which 50 kg of grain are packed per year.
Mineral supplements and salt are desirable.
During pregnancy, good nutrition lays down the quality of future milk yields.
It is desirable to add concentrated feed in winter.
These goats will never touch dirty water, so you need to monitor the freshness of the water and the cleanliness of drinking utensils.
Feeding little kids with mother’s milk is a condition for their good health and proper development.
Alpine goats in Our Country
This breed has long been successfully used by goat breeders. She is very popular in our country as one of the best dairy breeds. In addition, Alpiek is used to ennoble outbred animals. It is quite difficult to find purebreds, but if external signs are transmitted, then a light mix will not interfere with the strong genetics of this breed.
If, nevertheless, the admixture is undesirable, it is worth forking out for the purchase of an animal in a serious nursery, where the entire pedigree is traced and documented.
You can see the Alpine breed with your own eyes, listen to what a person who breeds animals of this breed says in the following video:
