Orientation
The East-West direction
for the long axis of the shed is preferred. It means there should be
complete walls towards East and West and it should be open towards North
and South. Such houses in hot summers remain cool because of short exposure
to direct sunrays and protection from the hot wind in summer ("loo").
Type of house
The houses should be
semi closed type i.e. in East and West, there should be a complete wall
up to roof and towards North and South, it should be semi-closed i.e.
with the wall up to ½ of its height. The most appropriate height of
a goat house is 3 meters in the centre and 2 meters on the sides. Sidewalls
of 1-meter height are normally made of mud/bricks. The remaining upper
half (1 meter) should be left uncovered and an arrangement should be
made to close it using thatched panels or jute curtains in the winter
season. A kaccha floor for goat houses is preferred. Sloppy roofs are
best for the comfort of goats. Remember: Houses should be disinfected
regularly. The kuccha floor should be burnt at least once in three months
to prevent contagious and morbid diseases among the goats.
Fencing
Goats need and enjoy
exercise. A fenced area that allows 40 sq meters per animal with a fence
1.5 to 1.8 meters high per animal is common in most tropical countries.
Fencing should allow maximum air circulation for hot weather, but should
offer some protection in winter against cold winds. Posts should be
placed not more than 1.5 meters apart, and the bottom strand of wire
needs to be close to the ground to stop kids from crawling underneath.
High-tensile fence, barbed wire, timber bamboo and sticks all have pros
and cons. Some sizes of wire mesh fence may be hazardous if they allow
kids with horns to insert their heads and become trapped. Vertical wood
or bamboo pieces also invite trapped heads. Horizontal wire on fencing
invites climbing; vertical-only stockade-type fences may be too expensive
or keep out cooling winds in the hot weather.
Tethering
Tethering your goats
(putting them on a long leash) is not recommended, as it can be stressful.
Tethering can also be very dangerous, as goats can hang themselves on
a tether.
Name of Breed CHEGU
Type of Breed Medium
sized
Agro-climatic zone Temperate
Himalayan Region
Natural Habitat Lahul-
Spiti valley of H.P. and
hilly regions of Uttar
Kashi,
Chamoli and Pithoragarh
districts of U.P.
Physical White in colour,
twisted long
characteristics horns,
short ears, long lustrous
hair with fine undercoat.
Body Weight
Adult M 39.4 ± 1.57
kg F 25.7 ± 0.33 kg
Body Size
Length 68.6 ± 0.98 cm
.
Height 75.8 ± 1.07 cm
Girth 80.7 ± 1.15 cm
Twinning % Less than
10%
7. INDIAN GOAT BREEDS
Besides local goats
(non-descriptive), there are 20 descriptive breeds of goats found in
different parts of India based on the agro-climatic conditions. In temperate
Himalayan region, the goat breeds found are:
Chegu
Gaddi
Name of Breed GADDI
Type of Breed Medium
sized
Agro-climatic zone
Temperate Himalayan Region
Natural Habitat Kangra,
Kullu valley, Chamba, Sirmur, Simla districts of H.P.
Local name Gaddi
Changthangi
Name of Breed CHANGTHANGI
Type of Breed Medium
sized
Agro-climatic zone Temperate
Himalayan Region
Natural Habitat Leh
region of Kashmir and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh.
Physical Body is covered
with long and characteristics lustrous hair. Colour is white but grey
and brown also found. Small pointed ears.
Body Weight
Adult M 20.37 ± 0.24
kg F 19.75 ± 0.15 kg
Body Size
Length 49.0 ± 0.29 cm
Height 49.8 ± 0.36 cm Girth 63.0 ± 0.44 cm Twinning % Less than 5% 47
In dry northern are the goat breeds are:
Barbari
Name of Breed BARBARI
Type of Breed Medium
sized
Agro-climatic zone North-Western
Region
Natural Habitat Etah,
Agra, Mathura, Aligarh districts of U.P.
Physical The coat colour
is white with characteristics light to dark brown spots all over the
body. Ears are short and erect. Twisted horns and males have beards.
Body Weight
Adult M 37.85 ± 1.96
kg F 22.56 ± 0.32 kg
Physical Well built
body with long hairs,
characteristics white
and black brown in colour, convex nose, alert eyes, long and drooping
ears, long spiral horns.
Body Weight
Adult M 27.4 ± 0.41
kg F 24.7 ± 0.51 kg
Body Size
Length 61.3 ± 0.84
cm
Height 69.5 ± 0.84 cm
Girth 72.2 ± 0.68 cm
Twinning % 10-15 %
Beetal
Name of Breed BEETAL
Type of Breed Large
sized
Agro-climatic zone North-Western
Region
Natural Habitat Gurdaspur,
Amritsar and Firozepur districts in Punjab Local name Amritsari
Physical Colour is mainly
black or brown
characteristics with
white patches on the head or body. Long ears, convex face, Roman nose
and large udder.
Body Weight
Adult M 59.1 ± 2.42
kg F 35.0 ± 0.52 kg
Body Size
Length 85.5 ± 1.41 cm
Height 91.6 ± 1.97 cm
Girth 86.0 ± 1.20 cm
Twinning % Very less
Body Size
Length 58.9 ± 0.38
cm
Height 56.2 ± 0.37 cm
Girth 64.3 ± 0.40 cm
Twinning % 56 %
Jamunapari
Name of Breed
JAMUNAPARI
Type of Breed
Large sized
Agro-climatic zone
North-Western Region
Natural Habitat
Chakarnagar (Etawah, UP), Bhind, Morena and Shivpuri districts of
M.P.
Physical Colour is
white with brown characteristics patches. Roman nose, pendulous ears,
Parrot mouth, tuft of hair on the backside of the thighs, well developed
udder.
Body Weight
Adult M 45 - 60 kg F
35 - 40 kg
Body Size
Length 78.2 ±
1.25 cm
Height 77.4 ±
1.23 cm
Girth 79.5 ±
1.20 cm
Twinning % 25
- 54 %
The central region has
the following goats:
Gohilwadi
Name of Breed
GOHILWADI
Type of Breed
Medium to large sized
Agro-climatic zone
North-Western Region
Jakhrana
Name of Breed
JAKHRANA
Type of Breed
Large sized
Agro-climatic zone
North -Western Region
Natural Habitat Jakhrana
village near Behror in Alwar district of Rajasthan
Local name Alwari
Physical Colour is black with a typical
characteristics
white speckles on ears. Face is straight, Drooping and long ears, Strong
and thick horns.
Natural Habitat Bhavnagar,
Amreli and Junagarh districts of Gujarat
Physical The
coat colour is black with
characteristics
white marking on the ears. The ears are leafy and drooping. The face
is long and slightly convex. Hairs are long, rough and thick.
Body Weight
Adult M 37.1 ± 1.42
kg F 36.0 ± 0.38 kg
Body Size
Length 73.4 ±
1.30 cm
Height 81.2 ±
1.20 cm
Girth 74.7 ±
0.90 cm
Twinning % 15-20
%
Marwari
Name of Breed MARWARI
Type of Breed
Medium sized
Agro-climatic zone
North-Western Region
Natural Habitat
Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur & Pali districts
of Western Rajasthan.
Physical Colour
is black with white markcharacteristics ing, long ears and long hair.
Flappy and drooping horns.
Body Weight
Adult M 46.6 ± 2.63
kg F 30.0 ± 0.25 kg
Body Size
Length 70.9 ±
1.65 cm
Height 74.7 ±
1.61 cm
Girth 71.7 ±
1.41 cm
Twinning % 10-13
%
Body Weight
Adult M 43.5 ± 1.16
kg F 39.3 ± 0.40 kg
Body Size
Length 84.1 ±
2.11 cm
Height 90.4
± 1.61 cm
Girth 86.0 ±
1.91 cm
Twinning % 50.0%
Mehsana
Name of Breed
MEHSANA
Type of Breed Large
sized
Agro-climatic zone
North-Western Region
Natural Habitat
Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad districts of Gujarat
Physical The
coat colour is greyish black
characteristics with
long and coarse hair. Ears are white with black markings, leafy and
drooping. Twisted horns, tail is short and kept upward
Body Weight
Adult M 37.14 ± 1.51
kg F 32.39 ± 0.38 kg
Body Size
Length 71.2
± 1.0 cm
Height 80.4 ±
1.2 cm
Girth 76.9 ±
1.2 cm
Twinning % 10-15
%
Sirohi
Name of Breed
SIROHI
Type of Breed Medium
to large sized
Agro-climatic zone
North-Western Region
Natural Habitat
Sirohi, Ajmer, Bhilwara and Tonk districts of Rajasthan
Physical Colour
is brown with dark
characteristics
brown or tan patches, compact body, flat ears, strong legs, medium leafy
ears, curved horns.
Body Weight
Adult M 50.4 ± 2.52
kg F 22.5 ± 0.17 kg
Body Size
Length 80.0
± 1.02 cm
Height 85.6
± 1.40 cm
Girth 80.3 ±
1.00 cm
Twinning % 12.5%
Surti
Name of Breed SURTI
Type of Breed
Medium sized
Agro-climatic zone
North-Western Region
Natural Habitat
Surat district in Gujarat and Nasik district in Maharashtra.
Physical Small
to medium size, white coat
characteristics
colour with short and lustrous hair. Ears are medium size and drooping.
Medium size horns directed upward.
Body Weight
Adult M 25 -
30 kg F 22 - 25 kg
Zalawadi
Name of Breed ZALAWADI
Type of Breed
Medium to large sized
Agro-climatic
zone North-Western Region
Natural Habitat
Surendranagar, Ramnagar and Ahmadabad districts of Gujarat
Physical The
coat is predominantly black
characteristics with
lustrous long shining hair. Screw type horns. Ears are long, leafy and
drooping.
Body Weight
Adult M 38.8
± 1.46 kg F 32.9 ± 0.32 kg
Body Size
Length 75.6 ±
1.05 cm
Height 83.3 ±
0.80 cm
Girth 76.8 ±
1.10 cm
Twinning % 55%
Body Size
Length 70 -
74 cm
Height 60 -
65 cm
Girth 65 - 68
cm
Twinning% Less
then 10% 55 The goat breeds found in the southern region are :
Kanniadu
Name of Breed
KANNIADU
Type of Breed
Medium sized
Agro-climatic zone
Southern Peninsular Region
Natural Habitat
Ramanathapuram and Trinnelveli districts in Tamilnadu
Physical Coat
colour is black with white
characteristics
spots. Ears are long and pendulous. Males have horns, udder is small.
Body Weight
Adult M 32 -
38 kg F 28 - 31 kg
Body Size
Length 67.3 ±
0.38 cm
Height 76.1
± 0.46 cm
Girth 70.8 ±
0.44 cm
Twinning % 10
%
Malabari
Name of Breed
MALABARI
Type of Breed Medium
sized
Agro-climatic zone
Southern Peninsular Region
Natural Habitat
'Malabar' area of Northern Kerala. Districts of Kasargad, Trichur, Kannur,
Kozikkot, Malapuram and Tellicherry. 56 Local name Tellicherry
Physical Colour
varies from white to
characteristics
black. Straight face and twisted horns. Males have beard, medium size
ears, small udder.
Body Weight
Adult M 35.0
kg F 28.0 kg
Body Size
Length 64.0 cm
Height 63.0
cm
Girth 67.0 cm
Twinning % 45
%
Osmanabadi
Name of Breed
OSMANABADI
Type of Breed
Medium sized
Agro-climatic zone
Southern Peninsular Region
Natural Habitat
Osmanabad, Latoor, Ahmadnagar districts in Maharashtra
Physical The
body colour is black with
characteristics
white patches on ears, neck and body. The face is straight and ears
are medium in size and drooping. Udder is small.
Body Weight
Adult M 33.7
± 2.73 kg F 32.4 ± 0.55 kg 57
Body Size
Length 67.5
± 0.38 cm
Height 74.8 ±
0.30 cm
Girth 72.0 ± 0.04 cm
Twinning % 30
%
Sangamner
Name of Breed SANGAMNERI
Type of Breed
Medium sized
Agro-climatic zone
Southern Peninsular region
Natural Habitat Sangamner
Tehsil of Ahmednagar district, Pune, Nasik districts of Maharastra
Physical Coat
colour is white, but black
characteristics
or brown with spots of different colours. Ears are medium and drooping
and horns are directed upward. Tail is thick and short.
Body Weight
Adult M 35 -
55 kg F 25 - 35 kg
Body Size
Length 60 - 65
cm
Height 62 - 68
cm
Girth 58 - 62
cm
Twinning % 30
- 40%
The following breeds
are found in the eastern region :
Bengal
Name of Breed
BENGAL
Type of Breed
Small sized (Dwarf breed)
Agro-climatic zone
Eastern Region
Natural Habitat
Murshidabad district in West Bengal and also found in Assam and Orissa
Physical Coat
colours are mainly black,
characteristics
white and brown, but black is most predominant. The face is small. Beards
are common. Ears are short, flat and horizontally placed.
Body Weight
Adult M 32.4
± 2.74 kg F 20.4 ± 0.16 kg
Body Size
Length 58.0
cm
Height 60.4
cm
Girth 58.2 cm
Twinning % 61.0%
Ganjam
Name of Breed GANJAM
Type of Breed
Medium sized
Agro-climatic zone
Eastern Region
Natural Habitat
Ganjam district in Orissa
Physical The
coat colour is black with
characteristics
white spots. Tall and leggy animal. Ears are medium in size. Forehead
is predominant, males have beards.
Body Weight
Adult M 44.0
± 0.13 kg F 31.9 ± 0.37 kg
Body Size
Length 67.6 ±
0.30 cm
Height 77.1 ±
0.30 cm
Girth 74.6 ±
0.30 cm
Twinning % 45%