Boer Goat: Quick Facts, Varieties, Lifespan, & Care Guide

The Boer goat, a South African goat, was born in the early 1900s. The Boer goat’s primary purpose is to produce meat. It is not like other breeds that milk. It is fast growing and can be used to manage land. Because of its ability to prevent bush encroachment that can lead to degrading rangeland, it can be used for land management.

Continue reading to get a closer look at Boer goats.

Here are some quick facts about the Boer Goat

Boer Goat Overview

The Boer goat is considered one of the best goat breeds for meat by many breeders. The Boer is a gentle and easygoing breed. The Boer is easy to keep, grows quickly, and makes a good profit. This breed is not ideal as a pet. It prefers companionship, so it’s recommended to have at least two. You will need to give it plenty of space to roam.

What is the cost of Boer goats?

Boer goats can be purchased for between $80 to $150. The cost of your Boer goat will depend on where you live and how many you plan to buy. Show-winning goats can be as high as $2,000. You should also consider other factors when calculating the cost. You will need to buy food, hay, and worming medication. To keep your goat happy and prevent it from jumping over the fence, you will need toys. These toys can add up to a significant cost over the life of your goat.

The Typical Behavior and Temperament

Boer goats are calm and easy to care for. The Boer goat is social and will prefer to be with others. Because it is not a fighter, this goat is a great choice for land management. Along with the Pygmy goat and the Nigerian Dwarf, it’s one of few sheep breeds that makes a great pet.

Appearance and Varieties

Boer goats are meat-giving goats that have white bodies and brown or redheads. The Boer goat has long ears that drop to the sides of the head. It is about 3 feet tall and can weigh more than 300 lbs.

How to Care for Boer Goats

Habitat Setup & Conditions

Boer goats will need plenty of space to roam and graze. Experts recommend at least a 50-60 square foot pen. An indoor enclosure should be at least 15 feet in size, which will provide heat and shelter from the elements. You should have plenty of water both inside and outside the shelter.

Are Boer goats compatible with other pets?

Boers are able to live with other livestock and get along well. Dog breeds and donkeys may become aggressive toward them. It is best to slowly acclimatize them by giving them small amounts of time to get to know each other. Boer goats may sometimes trample on smaller animals, such as turkeys or geese.

How to feed your Boer Goat

Boer goats are mostly grazers and will eat small shrubbery. Boer goats are more likely to eat woody shrubbery and weeds than cows. To get the best out of their fields, many farmers rotate the two animals. We’ve all heard stories that goats can eat almost anything. If you want your goat to live a long life and earn the best meat, you must feed it properly.

Keeping Your Boer Goat Healthy

Parasites

Boer goat owners should be aware of the dangers of parasites. Boer goats are less immune than other breeds. Worms can cause damage to the liver, lungs, and other vital organs. Particularly, Coccidia and Haemonchus contortus worms should be considered.

• Haemonchus contortus: Anemia can be caused by Haemonchus contortus in Boer goats. To check if your eyes are pale, you will need to examine the mucous membranes surrounding them. This could indicate that your goat is suffering from worms.
• Coccidia – Coccidia is the most frequent cause of diarrhea in Boer goats. This condition is caused by a microscopic parasite that attacks the animal’s intestines and then lays many eggs. The parasite spreads from the feces to other goats and can also be transmitted to contaminated water. You will need to identify infected goats quickly. Coccidia is more common in young goats than it is in adults. Most adults have only a small amount.

Foot Rot

Boer goat owners should be concerned about foot rot. This condition, which causes hooves to become brittle, can lead to lameness. This condition is caused by microorganisms living in the soil. It can enter the body via irritated feet. It is more likely to occur in hardened and frozen ground, but it is easier to spread in moist environments. The treatment includes trimming the hooves and isolating them.

Foot Scald

Boer goats can also be affected by foot scald. This infection is caused by bacteria and can be found in any grazing area. It spreads through feces. This bacteria spreads quicker when the ground becomes wet, which can lead to weight loss and lameness. It is necessary to remove and trim the hooves from infected goats.

Breeding

Baby Boer goats will grow just as fast as their parents. This fascinating fact allows you to easily know what you’re getting when you buy a Boer goat. You will need to give time to the mother goat if you plan to breed them. To protect the baby from diseases, you will also need to vaccinate them.

Are Boer Goats Suitable For You?

Boer goats make great pets or can be used to work the land and remove bushes and other woody vegetation. Boer goats also produce high-quality meat.

We hope that you enjoyed this look at the popular goat breed and found the answers to your questions. This guide is available on Facebook and Twitter.