On smaller farms and homesteads, Kiko goats are an excellent goat breed to raise. Here you'll find everything you need to know about kiko goats.
Kiko goats are a kind of goat that originated in New Zealand. This is a rather recent breed, having only been around since the 1980s. The Kiko breed was created primarily for meat by breeders Garrick and Anne Batten. The word 'kiko' actually comes from a Maori word that means'meat.'
The Battens were from the northern part of the South Island, where feral goats were common. These goats were left behind by European settlers as wild goats. These goats were tough and self-contained.
They were little and didn't produce much meat or milk.The Battens admired these feral goats' toughness and self-sufficiency. To improve their size and output, they crossed feral does with Anglo-Nubians. Feral goats were also crossed with Toggenburgs and Saanens.
The Kiko breed was developed after several generations of careful breeding. Kikos were sturdy, well-adapted to their steep surroundings, and prolific. The breed was formally formed in 1986, and it was no longer open to crossbreeding.
Kiko goats first appeared in the 1990s and are currently being produced by meat producers. They're prized for their tenacity and production.
You've undoubtedly figured out that one of Kikos' best qualities is their toughness. The breed evolved from herds that thrived without human intervention. With only a few shelter options, they were able to survive both rain and cold.
The feral goats also didn't require human involvement in terms of feeding or breeding. Kikos have now inherited those characteristics as well. They can forage for the majority of their food and have few difficulty reproducing or giving birth.
Kikos come in a variety of colors, with white being the most popular. They are also a horned breed with the ability to grow long horns. The horns of Kiko bucks can be big and twisted. Females are fiercely protective of their young, thus their horns come in handy.
Kikos are giant goats with a robust build. Males can reach 200 pounds, while females can reach 125 pounds.
When you think about meat goats, you might think of large, beefed-up Boer goats. Boer goats do, in fact, produce more flesh than Kikos. However, there are several benefits to rearing Kikos over Boer goats that can make management easier.
Kikos are more resistant to disease than Boer goats. The breed was established from feral goat herds that had survived without human influence just recently. They can not only survive in the wild, but they can also acquire weight without the use of additional nourishment.
You'll also notice that they usually have healthy kids.
Goats in the wild don't have humans to assist them with difficult births. They either have a successful pregnancy or don't. This reduces the number of problem breeders in the population. The only does who survived were those who were capable of giving birth on their own. Today's Kikos have inherited this feature. It's rare to come across a Kiko doe who needs assistance giving birth. A goat kidding kit should still be kept on available in case of an emergency.
Kiko does have been demonstrated to have more kids per doe than Boer goats.
Kikos are more resistant to internal parasites and hoof rot than Boer goats, according to a study conducted at the University of Tennessee in 2004. This is significant since hoof rot treatment can be costly and time-consuming. Barber pole worm treatment can be aided by FAMACHA scoring, but a breed that is naturally immune to them is much better.
Kikos have a higher level of activity than Boer goats, making them more challenging to handle. They are as energetic as their wild forefathers. This helped them stay fit in the environment, avoid predators, and find food when food was scarce.
Kikos are meat goats that are grown in captivity. Many Kiko breeders adore their animals, praising their hardiness, rapid growth, and self-sufficiency. The Kiko meat goat breed may be suitable for you if you're seeking for a less hands-on meat goat.
