ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU, THE PROSPECTIVE GOAT FARMER/RANCHER, MIGHT ASK.

Why goats ?

What's the history of goats in the United States ?

But isn't the Kiko smaller than the Boer ?

I like lots of color.  What can I expect from Kikos ?

I want to raise show goats.  Does the Kiko have shows ?

I want registered goats.  Can I register a Kiko and where can I get more information on the Kiko goat ?

Why goats ?

Throughout the world, goats have provided a ready source of meat and milk for millions of people.  Though not as prevalent in the United States of America in the past, it is now becoming a viable farm product.  Goats take less pasture than cattle.  Goats mature quicker for an earlier return on investment.  Goats are extremely lean so are a healthier red meat than beef.  Because goats prefer browse but will also graze, they are a more versatile feeder.  And, most importantly,  there is an increasing demand for goat meat due to the influx of different ethnic groups that is not being met by American outlets. 

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What's the history of goats in the United States ?

Until recently the most prominent meat goat in the USA was the Spanish breed.  If it was a goat, it was called either Spanish or brush goat.  In the late 1980's, a large meat goat was imported from South Africa.  An established breed, it was easily identified by its brown head and ears and white body.  The Boer goat could survive in the harsh temperatures and sparse browse of Africa.  The import of the Boer goats in Texas soon spread to other regions of the US.

Then in the 1990's word of a new breed of goat developed in New Zealand drew interest because of the studies done on it.  More parasite resistant with hooves that needed far less maintenance than the Boer goat, imports became an established breed in the United States.  Able to take the varying temperatures of all regions of the county, this new breed, the Kiko goat, is spreading.  The Kiko is proving its reputation of ease of care.  The kids are more alert at birth and have a greater weight gain than other breeds of meat goat.  

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But isn't the Kiko smaller than the Boer ?

Though not as large looking goat like the Boer, the Kiko has smaller bones which gives it the smaller appearance.  The rumen does not saddlebag out like the mature Boer doe. The usable weight per pound of carcass at an early age is greater than most other meat goats.  The does have fewer birthing problems, have a strong maternal instinct, give more than adequate milk for rapid weight gain of twin or triplet kids, and raise more kids to weaning age, which means more profit for the farmer at an earlier age.  These facts were proven by studies conducted by Dr. Richard Browning, Jr. of the Agricultural Department of the Tennessee State University. 

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I like a lot of color in my goats.  What can I expect from Kikos ?

Kikos come in varying colors, the most prominent being white.  But whites, blacks, browns, tans, champagnes and mixtures of these colors make for a colorful pasture setting.  The buck is easily identified by his set of horns that sweep up and out to make an impressive rack.  Putting a purebred Kiko buck over a commercial herd of mixed does will result in even larger kids at weaning.  The Kiko goat is proving the intent of their New Zealand developers.  

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I want to raise show goats.  Does the Kiko have goat shows ?

Since the Kiko is a performance goat, meaning the traits and characteristics are geared toward low maintenance, low cost, high survivability, there are no strictly Kiko goat shows with ribbons and ennoblements as the Boer has.  The Kiko is a perfect candidate for entering any meat goat show.  They will come away with top-notch results.

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I want registered goats.  Can I register a Kiko and where can I get more information on the Kiko goat?

The American Kiko Goat Association was established in the early 1990's. They purchased the original Kiko goat registry from the New Zealand developers. It contains all the records of every Kiko goat ever registered with it. It maintains strict requirements as to the standards of registration for any goat it accepts. Since 2005, all sires must have dna markers registered with the Association. AKGA  requires every 75th goat registered to be parentage verified. That means the kid must match the sire and dam dna markers. This parentage verification is done at AKGA expense.  However, all other dna work is paid for by the breeder.

The American Kiko Goat Association conducts an annual National Convention and sale at various locations throughout the country.  Visit the American Kiko Goat Association website for additional information on the Kiko goat www.kikogoats.com

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