Alpine Goats Breed: Characteristics, Feeding, Breeding, Care

Graceful and curious goats are Alpine goats, also referred as French Alpines. The Alpine’s agility and toughness is a sign of their life in Alps mountain range. Anyhow, this is the best dairy goat breed and very suitable for commercial milk production.

Commercial goat farming for milk yielding is successful in Malaysia, India, the Philippines, and the West Indies. Alpine goats can survive almost all weather conditions. Though, this breed is more adapted to mountains and hot environments and is not recommended in high humidity areas.

The average life period ranges from 8-13 years. The one most important thing about this breed is the premium quality of milk and nutritious facts. The milk contains more vitamins and calcium than Cow’s milk. So, it can be used in the production of butter, cheese, soap, and ice creams.

Alpine goats are inhabitant to the French Alps mountain range. In 1922 a strain of French Alpines was brought to the U.S. that shaped the basis of all purebred Alpines. Crossbred of Alpine goats is also exist such as Rock alpines, Swiss alpines, British Alpines, and American Alpines: and are equally popular.

Characteristics

Alpine goats have medium to broad body types and are available in almost all colours. The primary colours are ranging from black to brown and grey or white. Some shades of Alpine goats are listed here with the French pronunciation.

Alpine Colors

Cou Blanc: “White neck”- Black or grey markings on the head with white front quarters and black hindquarters

Cou Noir: “Black neck”– White hindquarters and black front quarters.

Sundgau: White marking on underbody but the coat is black

Pied: Stippled or spotted.

Two-tone Chamoisee: Brown or grey hindquarters with light front quarters.

Cou Clair: “Clear neck”- Black or grey shaded hindquarters with saffron, off-white or tan front quarters.

Chamoisee: Brown or bay characteristics with marking on the face, legs, and feet.

Breed Properties

Alpine goats have short hair coat. Bucks have extended hairs on the back and a marked beard. Doe has a big, beautiful, and well-balanced udder. The teats are well developed and in the right position. The face is straight with a Roman nose. The ears are erect, and horns are present in both bucks and doe.

Moreover, the height of the buck and doe is 85 cm and 75 cm, respectively. The weight is around 77 kg for male and 61 kg for female. Alpine goats get mature at the age of 7 to 9 months. The gestation period lasts for 145 days to 150 days. Milk yield per day is about 5 kg. The lactation period is 250 to 280 days.

Feeding

Alpine goat is a big animal. A mature breed can gain 55-60 kg weight. Jack leaves, and coconut oil cake can help to gain weight. For maintaining healthy milk production mix, grains are necessary for feeding. For controlling the price use hay, fodder forages and grazing land for daily diet. Freshwater and mineral should also be readily available.

Breeding

Female Alpine is ready for kidding at 7-10 months of age. Male goat gets mature at 5-8 months of age as Alpines are dairy breeds, so there is a specific time in the year for breeding. The reproduction rate of this breed is a beneficial characteristic.

An alpine doe’s cycle is ranging from 18-21 days with heat period lasting for two days or a few hours. Since Alpines usually carry twins but singles and triplets are also occurs. Crossbreeding is also proved beneficial for this breed.

Care of Alpine goats

Alpines are incredibly nimble; because of climbing in the Alps. So safe housing is an essential requirement for this breed. Moreover, there should be a regularity in shaving the does udder and under the body to make the milk clean. Vaccination should be on time to avoid Common Goat Diseases.

Check also: How To Take Care of Goats