Kiko Goats
The appropriately named Kiko Goat was purpose-bred in New Zealand for meat production – the Maori word "kiko" means flesh or meat. The developers of the breed were Garrick and Anne Batten of Nelson in the northern South Island, and they developed the Kiko from feral goats that had been liberated or had escaped over the last hundred years or so of European settlement. These feral goats could be found in many places throughout the country, and although they were hardy, they were relatively small and produced little meat or milk.
The Kiko breed was established by crossbreeding selected feral does with Anglo Nubian, Toggenburg and Saanen bucks, with further cross-breeding in the second and third generations. After four generations of selective breeding – selection being on the grounds of survivability and growth rate in a hill country environment – a dramatic improvement in liveweight and animal performance was achieved. By 1986 the Kiko breed was established and the herd was closed to further cross-breeding.
In the meantime, however, Kikos were exported to the United States in the 1990s, and there is now a growing number of enthusiastic breeders of Kikos in that country. At the beginning of 2005 there were more than 1,600 Kiko goats registered with the International Kiko Goat Association in North America. See Kiko Goats in the USA.
Boer Goats & Kiko Cross Boer Goats
The Boer goat was developed in South Africa in the early 1900s for meat production. Their name is derived from the Dutch word "Boer" meaning farmer. The Boer goat was probably bred from the indigenous goats of the Namaqua Bushmen and the Fooku tribes, with some crossing of Indian and European bloodlines being possible. They were selected for meat rather than milk production; due to selective breeding and improvement, the Boer goat has a fast growth rate and excellent carcass qualities, making it one of the most popular breeds of meat goat in the world. Boer goats have a high resistance to disease and adapt well to hot, dry semi-deserts. U.S. production is centered in west-central Texas, particularly in and around San Angelo. The original US breeding stock came from herds located in New Zealand. Only later were they imported directly from South Africa.
Boer goats are rather large animals with adult weights averaging around 200 - 350 pounds for the males and 120 - 220 pounds for the females. This is a horned breed with lop ears and a variety of color patterns of which the white body with correct (or colored - usually red) head is the most well known. Solid red and black boers are also noted.
Boer goats have a high resistance to disease, are hardy and low maintenance, adaptable, easily handled, noted for fast growth rate and early maturing, and also have a high fertility rate. Male Boers reach puberty around 6 months and female Boers around 10 - 12 months. Their extended breeding season allows the production of 3 kiddings every 2 years.
The Boer Does are very good mothers requiring little help but first timers may need some supervision as their mothering instinct is not always manifested the first time around. After they figure out whats going on, they respond to mothering quite nicely and are very protective of their offspring.
Kikos and Boers are producing some fantastic goats when crossed. When crossed they retain the best attributes of both.