Selection has led to the emergence of many subspecies of Alpine goats. Some of the subgroups are:
French
Purebred Alpine goats are native to France and have a variety of coat colors. The goats are hardy, produce good quality milk, like other alpine species, suitable for commercial dairy farming and for private households.
American
This type of goat was obtained by crossing a French breed with American species. These goats are the largest in America and are chosen for commercial goat breeding and household plots. The goats are strong and hardy. Females produce delicious milk.
Swiss
A hardy breed native to the Brienzer region of Switzerland. The main color of the coat is red-brown, the muzzle, belly and back are black. Swiss Alpine goats are bred for milk and meat.
British
The breed originated from crossing Alpine French and Swiss goats and is usually black and white in color. Keeping goats for exhibitions and milk production.
Alpine goat characteristics
Size and weight
Medium to large goats:
- goats are approximately 81 cm in height, average weight – 77 kg;
- goats 76 cm at the withers, weight about 61 kg.
Body shape
Goats are found in several colors, ears are raised, horns grow regardless of gender, and goats have a beard.
Temperament
Goats are not aggressive in nature, they run away if they hear dangerous sounds. They are friendly towards the owner and other animals in the yard.
Maturation
Goats reach maturity at the age of 4 to 5 months, females are ready to produce offspring at the age of 5 to 6 months.
Ideal conditions for breeding Alpine goats
The breed has strong genes and the animals survive in hot and cold climates in all regions of the world.
Several reasons to get Alpine goats
Maternal instinct
The female alpine goat knows how to properly care for the kids. She protects offspring from predators. Expect some blows from the hind hooves and horns if the goat thinks it is a threat to the offspring.
Dairy production
Alpine goats are bred to provide nutritious dairy products for the family, as they produce a lot of milk even when they feed the kids.
Intelligent breed
These goats are smart compared to other breeds, so the owner is required to build a strong enclosure. If there is an opportunity to find a way out, alpine goats will run away to freedom. The only way to tame if the goat wants to leave the pen is to tie it up.
Friendly and cute
The breed is peaceful and sociable, it gets along with other species on the same territory.
How to care for alpine goats
Raising goats is fairly straightforward; they are bred at home and commercially. To get good quality milk from a breed, healthy individuals are needed, and the results are achieved by caring for Alpine goats:
- offspring for growth and development requires mother’s milk, and not its substitutes;
- fed twice a day, morning and evening;
- the diet consists of refined grains, green grass, pellets and alfalfa hay;
- goats get sick without clean and fresh water to drink;
- females are milked twice a day;
- goats are taken out to pastures, they wither in enclosed spaces;
- a warm and comfortable shelter is needed in winter;
- in case of any disease, they immediately go to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Alpine goats – video
Conclusion
Goats produce quality milk and this is the reason for the popularity of the Alpine breed. Dairy products are nutritious and healthy for humans.
Alpine goat milk contains vitamins K, D, E, B, A and C. Many European companies producing cheese, butter, ice cream and other products choose Alpine goat milk over cows.
