- IUCN StatusLeast concern
- PopulationExact amount is unknown, however, it will be tens of millions worldwide
- DietHerbivore - hay, leaves, brush, shrubs etc
- GroupHerd
- Size1.2m in height
- ContinentAfrica
- Lifespanup to 20 years
- Weightbetween 90-135kg
- HabitatSouth African Thorn veld
- Scientific NameCaprus hircus Boer
Meet the Boer Goat
Boer goat (Capra hircus Boer) is a breed of goat indigenous to South Africa.
They are the largest goat breed in the world and they can exceed 400 pounds.
They are often raised for meat due to their hardiness, size, excellent carcass quality, and high reproductive rate. In fact, many experts regard these goats as the best meat goats in the world. You can now find them around the world thanks to their popularity as meat goats, show goats, and in vegetation management.
Introducing....
Ginger and our other Boer goats at Wolds Wildlife Park
Did you know?
Here are just some of the many things to know about Boer Goats.
What is the other name for a Boer goat?
They are also known as Boerbok
Where did the Boer goat originate from?
The Boer goat is a breed of goat that was developed in South Africa in the early 1900s and is a popular breed for meat production. Their name is derived from the Afrikaans word boer, meaning farmer.
What are the main characteristics of Boer goats?
Boer goats are large stocky animals that commonly have white bodies and distinctive brown heads. Some Boer goats can be completely brown or white or paint, which means large spots of a different colour are on their bodies.
They have large brown eyes, long pendulous (downward-hanging) ears, backward-curving horns, and strong, well-placed legs.
Males tend to be slightly larger, have longer neck hair and bigger horns than the females.
How much food does a Boer goat eat each day?
On average a Boer goat needs to eat between 3% and 4% of their body weight in feed each day, which equates to approx 8-10 lbs per day.
Boer goats are herbivores and primarily feed on leaves, brush, shrubs, hay, vegetables and fruit.
What makes Boer goats such a popular breed?
Despite their large size, these goats have the reputation as a calm, docile breed, making them very popular as companion goats. They tend not to need as much rope or climbing equipment as other breeds off goat in their pen to keep them entertained.
In addition they are also fast growing and have high fertility rates. Ewes are reported to have superior mothering skills as compared to other breeds
