Mission

Healthy, Hardy, Performance Herd

Breeders subscribe to various missions regarding the development of their herd and serving their customer. We find this very important as it effects the livestock and service you can expect.

Our mission is to develop the Healthiest and Hardiest Performance herd possible. The importance for the propagation of production animals is clear, and to raise the quality of individual herds and the goat industry in general, we believe, is also important. We believe this mission is equally important for goats destined to be companions, pack and driving animals, and used for vegetation control, meat consumption and show. All conceivable roles that goats can fill benefit from the goats being Healthy and Hardy Performance livestock.

How do we develop a Healthy and Hardy Herd? First, we start with healthy livestock from healthy herds. Once infectious diseases are introduced to a herd and a farm, it can be difficult and costly to eradicate. Our initial Kiko goats were brought in from a herd that shares our mission and were thoroughly tested prior to delivery. Our herd is closed except for an occasional buck. We practice bio-security with all visitors. We do not subscribe to the idea that goats will develop immunity by being exposed to animals that are infected with CL, CAE, Contagious Ecthyma, Hoof Rot, Johne’s or Scrapies. We Believe, to protect the herd and the industry, goats must be protected from these type of diseases until effective vaccines and treatments have been developed.

How do we develop hardy goats? We breed and cull for hardiness. We define hardiness as not the ability to survive but to thrive under adverse conditions. Adverse conditions include rough terrain, in-climate weather, minimal supplemental forage, and minimal parasite and hoof management. We do believe Kiko goats have and will continue to develop parasite resistance under proper parasite management.

What is a performance herd? We are raising meat goats so we measure performance in terms of pounds of meat produced per pound of feed. To maximize efficiency, we are building fences as fast as we can so the goats can gather their own feed. We breed and cull for multiple births and weight gain. Regardless of the meat goats job, minimal supplemental feed and high lean muscle gain are an asset.

Why is this important to you? Because we pass along to you and your herd, the same high level livestock and service that we expect. The performance livestock that we sell are healthy, hardy and are expected to thrive under a wide range conditions.

Our commitment to a Healthy and Hardy Performance herd is also the reason we chose to pursue the Kiko breed. Kiko goats are known for their ability to thrive under adverse conditions, parasite resistance and excellent mothering.

The Kiko Advantage

Wikipedia

“The main characteristic of the Kiko goat is its hardiness and its ability to achieve substantial weight gains when run under natural conditions without supplementary feeding. In New Zealand it has been called the “go anywhere, eat anything” goat signifying its ability to thrive under less than ideal conditions. The Kiko is large framed, generally white (although many Kikos carry genes for color and colored Kikos are capable of registration) with a coat that ranges from slick in summer to flowing hair when run in mountain country in winter. Mature males display substantial characteristic horns and are of a bold disposition. Mature females are ample, feminine and generally have good udder placement and attachment. The Kiko is a consummate browser and will range extensively when run in open country. The Kiko is not affected by substantial climatic variation and is equally at home in sub alpine mountain country and arid brushland. Perhaps the defining characteristic of the breed is the rate of growth. The kids are born of average size but with considerable vigor. From birth to weaning the Kiko displays a rate of growth at least equivalent of any other purpose bred meat goat breed but this is achieved without the management and feed inputs generally required for satisfactory meat production in other breeds.”

These characteristics have been measured and confirmed by various performance testing programs. They are ideal characteristics, in addition to excellent mothering, for commercial production. Wouldn’t you rather have a Kiko?

GeneMaster, BoKi, MeatMaker

Hobby Farms

“Some of the fastest maturing, most efficient meat goats in the world are created by crossing Boer and Kiko goats. The American Kiko Goat Association maintains a herdbook for Genemaster goats, the crossbreed of Boer and Kiko goats. The International Kiko Goat Association registers three Boer and Kiko crossbreeds: the BoKi (half Kiko, half Boer), the American MeatMaker (half Boki, half Kiko) and the International MeatMaker (half Boki, half Boer) goat.”

Looking for hybrid vigor? Have you got Boers and want to cross with a Kiko? The bucks we have for sale would make an excellent choice! Chesney, a wether, is an example of a Boer doe and Kiko buck (Rambo) cross.