Originating from South Africa, the Boer Goat was named after the farmers who raised them. The term "Boer" was given to the descendants of Dutch immigrants who settled the country, meaning farmer.....thus the Boer Goat basically means "the farmer's goat".
Considered the hardiest of all the goat breeds, the Boer is bred primarily as a meat producing animal, capable of rapid weight gain with heavy muscling. Their genetic dominance, disease resistance, and their ability to adapt to various climates and terrain make them an ideal breed for goat ranching enterprises.
Mature bucks will weigh between 240-300 pounds, while the mature does weigh in between 200-225. Like most other goat breeds they generally will have two or more offspring at the same time.
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Common Goat Myths
#1. GOATS EAT EVERYTHING Contrary to popular belief, goats do not eat everything.......they use their mouths to touch, much like we use our fingers; and while it may appear that they are ingesting everything in site; they are merely exploring their surroundings. Goats are really fastidious eaters, preferring clean, wholesome hay and grains,
and will turn up their noses at the same forage readily eaten by horses and cows.
#2. GOATS STINK Adult bucks have a "musk-like" aroma during the breeding season, which to some, may be objectionable. However, does, kids, and neutered males do not have active scent glands and are basically odorless, unless exposed or housed with an adult buck.
#3. GOAT MILK TASTES BAD Fresh milk, whether collected from a goat or a cow, must be handled properly to avoid air-borne bacterial contamination, which is a major cause of most off-flavored milk. Other causes of bad-tasting milk include improper cooling, storage, and pasteurizing processes. Strong flavored feedstuffs, such as onions or
cabbages fed to lactating animals will impart unsavory flavors in the milk.
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