Tell me about Kiko goats...

Twobottom · #1 05/04/14, 08:31 AM

I am considering buying a pair that have come up for sale locally. What I have read has been very encouraging. Anyone have any opinions/experience on the breed??

CAjerseychick · #2 05/04/14, 11:09 AM

We looked into them too-
screen them for being handled or not (we dont want wild goats, thats a lesson we learned)- and also most breeders(at least the ones here locally-ish) dont test them for anything as they say they are being selected to be "hardy"...

Well CAE is sorta like goatie AIDs, not something being "hardy" is gonna fend off....

So buyer beware on that.
On the breed itself - whats not to like?
Milk and meat (love the looks), and a thrifty goat to feed....

I would like to here more about their personalities though- we have only the 2 acres so all our animals are pets by default....

Twobottom · #3 05/06/14, 02:19 PM

Nobody else??

Alice In TX/MO · #4 05/06/14, 05:47 PM

There aren't many of them out there. That's why you aren't getting much feedback.

Find out if they are tested.

jokersloose · #5 05/06/14, 11:18 PM

We had someone give us two 1 buck and 1 doe from different good lines. They are friendly to my grandchildren ( 4 and 2). We got them at 2 days old had our "momma" goat adopt them both. They are 5 months old and are to heavy to lift. We enjoy them a great deal.

James

Twobottom · #6 05/07/14, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

There aren't many of them out there. That's why you aren't getting much feedback.

Find out if they are tested.

Thanks. Seller says they came from a tested herd and have never left her farm where they have been the only two goats. Of course, that is much different from seeing an actual piece of paper.

Ford Zoo · #7 05/07/14, 07:17 PM

Where are you located? I have a buck and a few does and compared to my boers, dairies, and crosses of the latter, they are very hardy. The kids of any cross out of our buck are very vigorous-up and nursing before the doe has a chance to get them part way dry. They do seem do be more worm resistant and need less maintenance as far as supplements and the like.

We have been so impressed with the Kiko and Kiko cross kids the past 2 seasons that we are planning on using the kiko buck with almost all the does this year, rather than using our boer bucks, to try to get some more hardiness in our herd.

Twobottom · #8 05/08/14, 08:25 AM

Thanks everyone. We went to see the Kikos but decided against them because they seemed a little too skiddish. We want them primarily for milking and I already know how hard it can be to milk unfriendly sheep...we are looking for super friendly easy to milk goats.

Otter · #9 05/08/14, 08:57 AM

DD's 4h leader has about a hundred or so, and we know other people with herds.

The ones I've met haven't been much more hardy or worm-resistant than any other population of goats that's managed the same way. By which I mean, yes, they're more hardy that the "hot-house", high $$ show Boers that you need a second mortgage to feed, but pretty much the same as commercial Boers. The ones I met haven't hugely impressed me with meatiness and growth, again, they seem about the same as your average, not-bred-for-exclusively-dairy goat. The average Boer going through the sale barn carries more meat than the average Kiko, the Kiko in turn is a bit meatier but not as tall as the average Spanish or brush goat. In herds where they concentrate on productivity, you get meatier, growthier ones, and in herds where they don't, you see some downright scrawny ones, again, just like any random group of "brusheaters"

Honestly, they're pretty popular here because everyone locally wants to make some money with low-input goats. People who treat them like low-input goats sell out in a few years. People who give them good care, good mineral, good feed, good shelter and select breeding stock based on production are very happy with them and successful, so I don't know if there's really anything special about the breed itself. Those folks would be successful with any breed.

One place I was impressed is I have a friend who put a Kiko buck over her LaMancha does one year. Babies all came out white and some had ears. They kept a couple of girls in spite of the ears and I love those does. Fantastic udders and they milk great! I told them if they ever sell them, to sell them to me.

CAjerseychick · #10 05/08/14, 01:48 PM

The testing is the main issue we came accross and they arent cheap (400 or 500) for 100% kikos- for untested goats.
BTW the quote about coming from a closed herd and being the only goats on the property--

thats what the person we got our miniToggs said and they both ended up being CAE positive, which really really doesnt work for dairy goats...

Alice In TX/MO · #11 05/08/14, 02:15 PM

I'm glad someone besides me said that.

Twobottom · #12 05/08/14, 03:03 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I am definitely concerned about bring any new animals onto our farm as we have not had any problems and want to keep it that way. We are primarily sheep folk, and I've read the CAE can effect them too. I'd hate to see all of my hard work and planning shot down by something like that.

Alice In TX/MO · #13 05/08/14, 04:12 PM

Ask if you can draw blood and have it tested before bringing the goats home.

Ford Zoo · #14 05/08/14, 06:46 PM

The lines I have may be the reason I find them hardier than my other goats. Some breeders do focus on breeding for certain better qualities than others. Our buck is an embryo transfer from old hardy stock in New Zealand, singled out for survival, great worm resistance, and strong hoof structure. Our doe was bred with the same in mind. Things to think about when looking for a breeder. Mine may not be the biggest or thickest, but they are hardy!

Frosted Mini's · #15 05/08/14, 09:17 PM

If you are looking for hardy milking does, I'd recommend looking at Nigerians or minis!

CAjerseychick · #16 05/08/14, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosted Mini's

If you are looking for hardy milking does, I'd recommend looking at Nigerians or minis!

Just have them tested (not reliable younger than 8 months)- we had 2 minis and a Nigerian (registered to boot, from milking lines)....

when they got old enough, we tested-- all positive for CAE... basically a dairy goat's dream killer....

Twobottom · #17 05/09/14, 07:14 AM

Funny thing is its really rare to find someone selling goats that have been tested and actually have the paperwork to prove it. Most seem to have one excuse or another or act like you are asking something very unusual. Once in a great while someone will advertise CAE tested goats for sale.

Alice In TX/MO · #18 05/09/14, 07:20 AM

I understand your frustration.

I have registered, tested, and documented goats. You will see the papers before you see the goats.

If you need to know who else will do this for you, just ask here.

Where are you located?

Frosted Mini's · #19 05/09/14, 06:24 PM

I have my CAE test results posted right to my homepage of my website.