Indian Goat Breeds with their Peculiar Characteristics

Team Pashudhan Praharee

November 28, 2022

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Indian Goat Breeds with their Peculiar Characteristics

Jamunapari

Jamunapari breeds are found mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Its coat colour is white with tan or black markings at neck and ears;
This is largest and most elegant of the long-legged goats of India.
It has pronounced Roman nose having a tuft of hair which results in parrot mouth appearance.
Large sized goats, tall and leggy, with convex face line large folded pendulous ears.
They are generally found in white colors.
An adult female weighs between 45kgs to 60kgs, whereas an adult male ranges between 65kgs to 80kgs.
Average birth weight up to 4 kg.
Average age at first kidding is 20-25 months.
They have large udder and big teats and average yield is 280 kg / 274 days.
They having the ability to yield 2 to 2.5kgs of milk per day.
The fat content of the milk ranges between 3 to 3.5%.
Better milk yielding breeds are not found in Tamilnadu climatic conditions.
They thrive best under range conditions with plenty of shrubs for browsing.

Beetal

Beetal breeds are found mainly in the states of Punjab.
These breeds are grown mainly for the purpose of milk and meat.
Generally smaller than the breeds of Jamunapari.
An adult female goat ranges between 40kgs to 50kgs, whereas an adult male ranges between 50kgs to 70kgs.
Age at first kidding 20-22 months.
Average lactation yield 150 kg.
They having the ability to give, 1kg to 2kgs of milk per day.
Maximum yield being 591.5 kg in lactation period of 177 days.
Coat Colour is predominantly black; red, tan or black, heavily spotted on white also occur;
Average birth weight 3 kg.

Barbari

Popular in urban areas popular in urban areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gurgaon, Karnal, panipat and Rohtak in Haryana state.
These types of breeds are found mostly in the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Barbari breeds are grown mainly for milk and meat purpose.
The color of this breed is a mixture of white and purple.
An adult female goat weighs between 25kgs to 35kgs, whereas an adult male goat ranges between 35kgs to 45kgs.
They having the ability to give 1kg to 1.5kgs of milk per day.
These types of breeds have better reproductive capabilities.
They will give, 2 to 3 kids in parturition.
They are usually stall-fed and are reported to yield 0.90-1.25 kg of milk.(fat content 5%) a day in a lactation period of 108 days..
They are prolific breeder and kid twice in 12-15 months.
This type of breeds usually kids twice, at an interval of 12 to 15 months.

Tellicherry

Tellicherry breeds are also called as malabari breeds.
These types of breeds are found mostly in the state of Kerala.
They grown mostly for the purpose of meat.
An adult female ranges in weight from 30 to 40kgs, whereas an adult male ranges between 40 to 50kgs.
They can yield 1kg to 2kgs of milk per day.
These types of breeds have better reproductive capabilities.
They can give, 2 to 3 kids in a parturition.
This breed grown in Tamilnadu, having the ability to yield one or two kids.

Sirohi

Coat colour is brown, white, and admixture of colours in typical patches; hair coarse and short.
Average body weight of buck 50 and doe 23 kg.
Average birth weight 2.0 kg.
Kidding is once a year, twins are common.
Average age at first kidding 19 months.
Average lactation yield 71 kg.
Average lactation length 175 days.

Osmanabadi

Coat colour is predominantly black; white, brown and spotted occur.
Average birth weight 2.4 kg.
Kidding is once a year.
Average age at first kidding 19-20 months.
It has good quality meat.
Good yielders produce up to 3.5 kg a day.
Average milk yield 170-180 kg per lactation.

Malabari

It is native of north Kerala.
Coat colour varies from white to complete black; black and white, black and brown, and white with coloured patches occur;
Average, buck live weight 39kg and doe 31 kg;
Average birth weight 1.6 kg.
Kidding is once a year, twins and triplets;
Average litter size 2.1; average age at first kidding 19- 21 months.
Average quality meat.
Average yield is 0.9-2.8 kg of milk a day.
Average milk yield 65 kg/lactation.
Average lactation length 172 days.
It has good quality skin.

Kanni aadu

These are the tallest goat breeds found in the Thirunelveli and Ramanadhapuram districts of Tamil Nadu.
Black or white spots in the black background are the characteristics colors of this breed.
They are usually grown for meat purpose.
The adult females of this breed ranges from 25kgs to 30kgs and the adult males’ ranges from 35kgs to 40kgs body weight.
They grow well in the drought regions. Hence, this breed well suits for our country.

Kodi aadu

These breeds are taller and found with different colors.
They usually gave birth to one or 2 kids.
They are usually grown for the purpose of guiding the goat flocks, which goes for grazing.
These types of breeds are mostly found in the districts of sivagangai, ramanadhapuram, and tuticorin districts of Tamil Nadu.
This black coloured breed, well suits for Tamil Nadu.

Black Bengal

Coat colour is predominantly black, brown/grey and white with soft, glossy and short hairs.
Dwarf in body size
Average live weight of buck 15 kg and doe 12 kg.
Most prolific among Indian breeds.
Multiple births common, two, 3 or 4 kids born at a time.
Kidding twice a year. Average litter size 2.1.
Average age at first kidding 9-10 months.
Average lactation yield 53 kg. Lactation length 90 to 120 days.
Its skin is great demand for high class shoe-making.

Chegu

Coat colour is predominantly white but greyish red and mixed colours seen.
Average buck live weight 39 kg and doe 26 kg.
Average birth weight 2.0 kg.
Kidding is once a year and mostly single.
Average lactation yield 69 kg and lactation length 187 days.
Used for draught to carry salt and small loads.
Long hair below which under coat of delicate fibre (cashmere or pashm).
Used for draught (pack) to carry salt and small loads.

Changthangi

Predominantly white and rest brown, grey and black. Undercoat white/grey; yields warm delicate fibre, pashmina (cashmere, pashm).
Body and legs are small size, strong body and powerful legs.
Average live weight of buck 20 and doe 20 kg; average birth weight 2.1 kg.
Kidding is once a year, normally single;
Average age at first kidding 20 months.

Ben Manenti

Colour: Assam Hill goats are mostly white with occasional black patches on backline and legs.
Horn shape & size: Both buck and does are bearded and have short cylindrical horns which are directed upwards and outwards. Ears are medium in size, horizontally placed with pointed tips.
Visible characteristic: These goats are short legged with small body size.

Attapady

Colour : Black
Horn Shape & Size : Curved and oriented backwards. Small in size
Visible Characteristic : Extremities are black. Tail is bunchy type.

Berari

Colour: Light to dark tan(Reddish colour)
Horn Shape &Size:Flat, small, oriented upward and backward
Visible Characteristic :Black coloured ring around neck in adult male. Black hair line along with the vertebral column extending up to tail in both sexes.

Bhakarwali

Colour: White and Black. Face or hindquarters are black in some animals. Pure black goats are also found. Whole-body is covered with long hair.
Horn shape & size: Horns are screw type and are carried upwards and backward.
Visible characteristic:These are large-sized goats having a convex head. Ears are cut and pendulous.

Bidri

Colour: Black . Muzzle, eyelids and hooves are black.
Horn sape & size: Horns are present and are directed backward, outward and downward.
Visible characteristic:Ears are pendulous.

Ganjam

Colour : Black or Brownblack. White, brown and spotted animals are also found.
Horn Shape & Size: Twisted and curved. Long, parallel and pointed backward and upward.
Visible Characteristic : Males usually have beards. Head convex, ears are pendulous and medium in size (14.50 cm), wattles mostly absent.

Gohilwadi

Colour : Black
Horn Shape & Size: Horns are slightly twisted and turned backward. Horns are 8 to 10cm long in female and 12cm to 15 cm in males.
Visible Characteristic : Nose line is slightly convex. Ears are tubular and drooping. Body covered with coarse long hairs.

Jakhrana

Colour: Predominantly black with white spots on ears and muzzle.
Horn Shape & Size: Broad and flat , going backwards
Visible Characteristic : Straight faceline. Forehead is narrow and slightly bulging. Udder size is large with conical teats.

Kahmi

Colour: Coat color is unique – neck and face are reddish brown while rear abdominal part is black, locally called Kahmi.
Horns shape & size: Horns are directed upwards and backwards.
Visible Charactertic: Ears are long, tubular & coiled, locally called veludi. Wattles are present in majority of goat. Forehead is convex.

Konkan Kanyal

Colour: Black with white marking on collar,lower jaw and ventral surface.
Horn Shape&Size: Cylindrical, backward and medium in size (15-25 cm).
Visible Characteristic:Bilateral whitestrips from nostrils to ear. Legs-long, laterally black, medially white and white from knee to fet lock joint. Tail-dorsally black and ventrally white

Kutchi

Colour : Coat / body is predominantly black but a few white, brown and spotted animals are also seen
Horn Shape & Size: Horns are short (10.6 cm), thick and pointed upwards.
Visible Characteristic: Long and coarse hair, slightly roman nose, and short and thick horns.

Mehsana

Colour: Black with white ear base.
Horn Shape & Size: Screw type. Twisted slightly, curved upward and backward and pointed at the tips. 12-15 cm in males and 8-12 cm in females.
Visible Characteristic :Ears have white spots ranging from a few white spots to complete white with few black spots at the base. White spots are present on the upper part of upper muzzle and look like a ring in some of the animals. Hair coat is long and shaggy.

Pantja

Colour: Mix of light brown & white in females and males are mix of white
Black Horn Shape & Size : Straight oriented backwards. Small in size
Visible Characteristic :Long hairs on thigh region, straight horns. Goats are well adapted to humid condition of Tarai region.

Rohilkhandi

Colour: Coat colour is predominantly black with star or patch on neck and face in some animals.
Horns shape & size: Majority of animals are horned which are curved, and directed laterally and outwardly.
Visible Charactertic: Beard and wattles are absent in both sexes. Forehead is slightly convex. Tuft of hair (black or brown) is present in thigh region. Tail is bunchy.

Salem Black

Colour : Black .
Horns shape & Size: Both males and females have horns that are medium in size, curved upwards and backwards.
Visible Characteristic: These goats are tall, lean and leggy. Ears are medium, semi-pendulous having leaf-like appearance. In males, neck is thick, broad and well placed

Sangamneri

Colour: White, black or brown. Spotted animals are also seen.
Horn Shape & Size: Horns are directed backward and upward. Average length of horns is 12.36cm
Visible Characteristic : Hair coat is extensively coarse and short.

Surti

Colour: Mostly White.
Horn Shape & Size: Directed backward. Small in size(about 12 cm).
Visible Characteristic : Medium sized ears. Well-developed udder with large conical teats.

Zalawadi

Colour: Body is covered with black, lustrous,Shining hairs. Some animals have white or brown hairs.
Horn Shape & Size: Horns are cork-screw type moving straight upwards,backwards and slightly outward with pointing tips.
Visible Characteristic: Long, wide leaf like and drooping ears. Well-developed udder with large conical teats.

Exotic goat breeds

Saanen
Alpine
Anglo-Nubian
Toggenberg
Angora
Boer

NAME OF BREED	NATIVE TRACT	PECULIAR CHARACTERISTICS
Attapady	Kerala	Black in color with bronze colored eyes.
Barbari (city breed)	UP and Rajasthan	Dwarf breed, highly suitable for stail feeding.
Beetal	Punjab	Roman nose, buck has beard, females are beardless.
Black Bengal	West Bengal	Best chevon breed of India. Highly prolific goat breed.
Changthangi	Jammu and Kashmir	*’Pashmina’ producing breed. Pashmina used for making high quality Kashmiri “rug or shawl*”.
Chegu	Himachal Pradesh	*’Pashmina*’ producing breed.
Gaddi	Himachal Pradesh	Prominent and alert eyes and roman nose.
Ganjam	Orissa	Brown , black and grey coat color( rarely- white)
Gohilwadi	Gujarat	Body is covered with coarse long hairs, black body coat.
Jakhrana	Rajasthan	Skin popular for tanning purpose.
Jamunapari	Uttar Pradesh	Biggest and most majestic breed of Indian goat. Parrot mouth appearance. Most beautiful breed.
Kanni Adu	Tamilnadu	Black or white spots in the black background.
Kutchi	Gujarat	Corkscrew shaped horns.
Malabari (Tellicherry)	Kerala	Seen in white, purple and black colors. Mainly for meat purpose.
Marwari	Rajasthan	Less prone to diseases, hair quality is lustrous, short tail.
Mehsana	Gujarat	Coat color is mainly black with white spots at the base of the ears, The hair on the coat is long and shaggy.
Osmanabadi	Maharashtra	Coat color is predominantly black; white, brown and spotted occur.
Sangamneri	Maharashtra	Coat color is complete white but admixtures of black and brown are also available.
Sirohi	Rajasthan and Gujarat	Tail twisted and carries coarse pointed hair. Coat color is brown, white, and admixture of colors in typical patches.
Surti	Gujarat	Best dairy goat in India. Mainly white color body coat.
Zalawadi	Gujarat	Long legs and erect corkscrew shaped horns. Wide loose and leafy ears.
Konkan Kanyal	Maharashtra	Predominantly black with white marking in a specific pattern.
Berari	Maharashtra	Black colored ring around neck in adult male. Black hair line along with the vertebral column extending upto tail.
Pantja	Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh	These goats are well adapted to humid condition of Tarai region. Twining is common in Pantja goat.
Teressa	Andaman & Nicobar	Tall, brownish or black or white in color with white and black patches.
Kodi Adu	Tamil Nadu	Taller and found with different colors, but predominantly black
Salem Black	Tamil Nadu	Completely black in color, mainly for meat purpose.
Sumi-Ne	Nagaland	Coat color is white with black patches on head, neck and legs. Also k/as *“Nagaland long hair goat”.*
Kahmi	Gujarat	Neck and face are reddish brown while rear abdominal part is black.
Rohilkhandi	Uttar Pradesh	Coat colour- mainly black with star or patch on neck and face
Assam Hill	Assam and Meghalaya	Mostly white with occasional black patches on backline and legs. Short legged with small body size.
Bidri	Karnataka	Medium sized black goat with higher fecundity.
Nandidurga	Karnataka	White coloured and used mainly for meat purpose.
Bhakarwali	Jammu and Kashmir	Whole body is covered with long hairs. Ears are cut and pendulous, Horns are screw type.