Saanen Goat Breed: Quick Facts, Traits, and Care

Saanen is a well-respected and popular goat breed. They are capable of packing goats that produce a lot of milk. They are hardy and can survive in cold environments. They are friendly and can be great companions in the yard.

These animals need safe and secure housing. The Saanen can be a great digger and will make quick work of getting under boundaries and fences. The Saanen is highly sought-after for dairy goats on farms and homesteads. It produces the most milk and is also one of the easiest to maintain.

Here are some quick facts about Saanen Goats

Saanen Overview

The largest Swiss goat breed is the Saanen. The Saanental region in Bernese Oberland, Switzerland is where it gets its name. Its calm temperament, calm with animals and handlers, as well as its reputation for being a prolific milk producer, saw it grow in popularity and spread around the globe.

According to reports, the breed has been exported to over 80 countries. There are approximately one million of them worldwide. The country is home to just 15,000 of the breed’s total population, which is less than 2% of its Swiss heritage.

The Saanen produces as many as 3 gallons of milk per day but more often it produces 2 gallons. The breed’s friendly nature and easy management make this a superior breed. However, the breed’s milk has a very low percentage of butterfat (around 3%).

Saanen is friendly and can get along with goats and farmyard animals. They also form close bonds with their owners. Although it can dig, the Saanen is strong and capable of handling most farm animals. It is essential to provide a safe environment and shelter for your goats. You should provide a high-quality diet to your goats in order to ensure maximum milk production and the best-tasting milk.

What is the Cost of Saanens?

Saanens are purebred goats, which means that they can be expensive. However, there is a lot of supply and a low number of children. A Saanen will cost you between $100-300. Prices for mature goats with a track record of producing milk are higher. You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for goats that have an award-winning lineage.

The Typical Behavior and Temperament

Saanens are known for being kind, caring, and friendly. They are calm and easygoing. They can get along and even form a bond with other animals, such as farm animals. They also have the ability to form bonds with their human owners. Goats are pack animals. If they don’t have goats to share their pack, they will adopt other animals or humans to join the group.

Appearance and Varieties

The Saanen is usually white, but it can also be an off-white color or cream. For exhibitions, shows, or breeding programs, white is preferred. This is not considered a negative trait. Saanens can live in very cold temperatures but have fine, short hair. The animal has longer hair on its spine and hips. This goat is pale in the skin and can easily sunburn.

The billy is approximately 36 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 180 pounds. The maximum height for a doe is 32 inches. It can also weigh 160 pounds. Saanen can either be horned, or hornless.

This breed has been bred with goat populations in all parts of the world, resulting in a wide variety of subspecies of the Saanen. You will find breeds such as the French Saanen or the Israeli Saanen. The Banat White is a Romanian breed.

How to Care for Saanen Goats

Shelter and enclosure

The Saanen breed is strong and healthy and can withstand harsh and cold environments. Because of his delicate skin, the Saanen can be susceptible to sunburn and other skin problems. He will need shelter from the sun and extreme temperatures and somewhere to rest. You will need to ensure that your goat is comfortable if you live in warm areas.

Expert breeders recommend that each goat have at least 15 square feet of shelter space. You can either build a shelter from scratch or use an existing A-frame. It doesn’t matter what type of shelter you choose, make sure it has a roof that provides shade and protection for your Saanen. If you don’t want goats roaming around your property, you will need to fence them off.

The Saanen can dig a lot, so it is possible to strengthen fences or other boundaries. You will need to monitor and maintain fences when goats are around.

Goats love cleanliness and will only live in clean conditions. Goats need clean bedding, and they expect their shelter to be cleaned daily. If you want your goats to produce milk, the shelter must be safe from predators and provide warmth and comfort. You should ensure that there is minimal noise and interruptions to your goats’ lives when they are in the shelter.

Are Saanens good with other pets?

Saanen is a friendly and kind breed. It is a pack animal like all goats and will require companions. It should have other goats as companions. Saanen can get along with other Saanen, and other goats of various breeds. They can also tolerate any animal that isn’t aggressive to them and will form close relationships with their owners. Goats perform better when they are part of a group of their own kind. Keeping your goat as part of a family is better than having it as a pet.

What to feed your Saanen

You will also need to feed your Saanen regularly, in addition to allowing them to roam freely. Although goats are not known to eat clothing or anything else, they can chew on lines and take washing off of clothes. They will reject food that smells old or bad. If you wish to increase goat milk production, provide forage of legumes or grasses. Make sure goats are always able to access clean, fresh drinking water.

Keeping Your Saanen Goat Healthy

Although the Saanen is known for its toughness, it can still be susceptible to certain illnesses and other health problems. Its light skin is something you need to be aware of, especially in the summer. Saanens require regular deworming but are less susceptible to certain diseases and illnesses. Make sure they are fed high-quality food and water, with supplementation if necessary.

Breeding

A dairy goat must have given birth to get milk. If you want to have a dairy goat that produces milk, it is necessary to do some breeding. Beginners and novices are advised to bring their doe to local bucks because it is harder to keep bucks than to keep does. They can smell and be grumpy, so they need a lot more attention.

Does are ready to mate when they reach 9 months old. However, it is best to wait until they reach 90 pounds in order for a more happy and stress-free birth. On average, they are in heat for two days per 20 days. Signs of heat include increased tail wagging and swelling of the vulva. Saanens are approximately 150 days gestation. You should provide supplements for your doe and make sure you have enough to give to the child when they arrive.

Are Saanen Goats Suitable For You?

Modern Saanen can be found in many countries around the globe and is well-known for producing large quantities of milk.

The Saanen is friendly and less susceptible to illness and disease than many other breeds. Although the Saanen is considered a great breed for beginners, it still requires decent care. A 4-foot fence is required. The Saanen can dig well so you might need to fortify areas and create a boundary to stop your pack from running away.

The Saanen is a pack animal, so he will thrive in the company of other Saanens. However, he will also love other goats, animals, and humans.