Detailed Explanation of Boer Goat Breeding Methods and Technical Key Points

The Boer goat is native to South Africa and is known as the “king of meat goats” in the world. It is a world-famous goat that produces high-quality lean meat and is an excellent meat goat breed. It has the characteristics of large body size and fast growth; strong reproductive capacity and many kids; high slaughter rate and high meat yield; tender meat and good palatability; tolerance to roughage and strong adaptability; strong disease resistance and stable heredity.

The age at which male and female lambs first come into estrus after birth is the age at puberty, usually called sexual maturity. At this time, secondary sexual characteristics have appeared, and they can produce mature reproductive cells (sperm or eggs) and have the ability to reproduce offspring, but they are not suitable for immediate mating. The first estrus of female Boer goat kids is generally 6-8 months of age, with body weight reaching 40%-60% of that of adult goats. Male goats show sexual behavior such as mounting at 4 months of age and can release sperm. However, because the reproductive organs of male and female goats are not yet fully developed at sexual maturity, premature mating is unfavorable to both their own growth and development and that of their offspring. Therefore, the general first mating age for female Boer goats is above 10 months of age, and the first mating age for male goats is above 12 months of age.

Boer goats are non-seasonal breeding livestock and can come into estrus, mate and give birth throughout the year. Ewes mature at 6 months of age. Because sex hormone levels are relatively high in autumn, autumn is the peak period of sexual activity. Male goats mature at 6 months of age. Ewes reach sexual maturity at 6 months to 8 months of age, and the mating period is long, with 8 to 12 young kids obtainable in 2 years. Under grazing conditions, an average of 15 ewes can be mated; above 9 months of age, an average of 30 ewes can be mated. The high kidding rate increases the meat production per ewe and per unit area. The economic traits of goats are reflected in high-quality and high-yield livestock products, and high benefits are obtained through the input-output ratio. Using Boer goats as sires to improve local goats shows obvious heterosis; the production performance of crossbred offspring can be increased by 30%-60%. Therefore, it can greatly increase the benefits of goats and is of great significance for the transformation of the sheep industry from quantity growth to quality improvement.

Carefully select ewes

Because the crossbred offspring of Boer goats have high birth weight and large individual size, if the ewe is too small or is a first-time mother, dystocia is very likely to occur, and if not handled properly, it can cause disability or death of the fetus. Therefore, when selecting ewes, choose ewes weighing more than 30 kg, having already given birth, free of reproductive diseases, and with good udder development, so as to ensure the normal production of the fetus.

Screen breeding stock

At present, the number of purebred Boer goats is small and the price is high. In order to seek high profits, some farms (households) use high-generation crossbred offspring of Boer goats as purebred Boer goats for sale or breeding, resulting in poor growth performance and indistinct meat characteristics in the crossbred offspring. Reliable farms should be selected to purchase breeding males or semen, and the fresh semen motility should be above 0.6, and frozen semen motility should be above 0.35 before mating. In addition, when purchasing breeding goats or frozen semen, ask the manufacturer for the pedigree.

Rational utilization

Boer goats have a small inventory and high cost. After purchasing Boer goat males, artificial insemination should be used after semen collection and dilution of the original semen to mate with local ewes, so as to improve the utilization rate of breeding goats and ensure the improvement effect. In addition, frozen semen of Boer goats can be used to improve local goats. Although this method is simple to operate and not limited by time or place, the conception rate is generally about 50%, and the effect is not ideal. Whether using frozen semen for mating or fresh semen for mating, the operating procedures should be strictly followed and the best timing for insemination should be grasped.

Scientific feeding and management

First, strengthen the feeding and management of ewes, meet the nutritional needs of the fetus at different growth stages in the mother's body, and ensure sufficient milk after birth. Second, after delivery, assist the fetus in suckling enough colostrum as soon as possible, and artificial milk supplementation should be done for lambs with insufficient milk. Third, after 10 days of age, lambs should begin supplementary feeding with green grass and concentrate to strengthen gastrointestinal exercise and meet nutritional needs. In addition to breeding and producing breeding goats, the traditional method of mutton sheep production is self-breeding and self-raising. Because the production purposes of breeding goats and lambs are different, breeding goats and weaned lambs should be raised in separate groups or by separate households. The feeding and management of the breeding goat group is more extensive than that of lambs. The focus is to maintain breeding body condition, mate at the right time, prevent missed mating and miscarriage, and provide sufficient nutrition during the mating and gestation periods; while the focus of lamb feeding and management is to provide nutritionally rich forage and feed throughout the whole process, and pay attention to cold protection, warmth preservation and disease prevention.

Repair the sheep shed

The sheep shed should face south, have sufficient sunlight, air circulation, be dry and hygienic, and have good warmth retention. Before the Beginning of Winter, plug the wind holes to ensure that the roof does not leak rain, the four sides are not permeable to wind, and the ground is not damp. Sheep sheds that are dilapidated, leak rain, or let in wind should be repaired in time. When severe winter arrives, straw curtains or cotton door curtains should also be hung at the exits and ventilation openings of the sheep shed to prevent the invasion of draft.

Strict epidemic prevention

According to the prevalence of sheep diseases in different areas, do a good job in vaccinating sheep against “foot-and-mouth disease”, “tetanus”, “sheep pox”, “contagious caprine pleuropneumonia”, and the “triple vaccine with four preventions”. In addition, regularly deworm sheep of internal and external parasites, and disinfect the sheep shed, exercise yard, forage rack, and feed trough with different disinfectants in rotation.