Kiko buckling ?

[motdaugrnds]

I met an old gent at Tractor Supply yesterday who asked me what type of goats I raised...He had seen my goat pic on the back of my van. When I told him large Nubians, he told me he had raised those himself, had switched to ...I believe he said African Boers... I then mentioned that I had been considering getting a Boer buckling to breed to my Nubian does in order to put more meat on the kids slaughtered. He then told me he had switched from Boer to Kiko, also a meat goat.

In talking this gentleman said his Boer herd had constantly been infected with worms and he had been constantly having to worm them; however, since switching to the Kiko meat goat, his herd has not had any worms. This was over a year ago that he had switched. He stated he thought the Kiko goats were immune to worms.

I would appreciate anyone with experience talking with me about this because I do want a "meat" buckling for my herd; however, maybe it would be best to go with a Kiko buckling ??

[Farmer Jayne]

While I have never had Boers, I have recently talked to two different breeders, from different areas, and completely different "goat cultures", that have said the same thing about Boers. One couple raises registered Boers, but has recently added some Kikos because of the worm problem. They have been routinely worming their Boers every month. They also cull the ones that seem to be chronicly worm infested. The only reason they keep breeding the Boars is that they get so much money for the kids when they sell them.
The other goater raises several types of goats: Boars, Nubians, as well as some of the mini breeds. She recently got completely out of Boars because she lost most of her herd to worm infestation.
Both of these goat owners were experienced and have good management practices. While I don't think that Kikos are immune to worms, there are certainly some goats, even within a breed that do better than others.
Anyone here that actually raises Boers have some info on this?

[mygoat]

Without knowing management, I'd take it with a grain of salt. Too many animals on stagnant pastures would lead to parasites. Most people don't practice good pasture management. If he sold out of a large boer herd and repopulated with a small herd of kikos, less land stress, less worms. DEFINETELY worth looking into, though, as kikos are purported to have better worm resistance and vigor, and depending on your area you may be able to sell cross does as meat breeding stock.

Personally, I see Kikos as more a dam-influence breed, and boers more as a terminal sire. If you're planning on butchering the kids, I'd personally go boer. At worst you'd have to only maintain the more sensitive buck (if he is more sensitive) but you get growthier kids that should have enough hybrid vigor to keep them going well until butcher anyways, with proper management. The doelings could be sold as registered 50% boer kids - and depending on your area, they may be valuable. That being said, I'd love a dairy x kiko doe for a future meat herd (though preferably a medium bodied one. :P)

I had boers, and really really liked them. I secretly dream of a commercial herd (maybe someday... :P) with kiko X myotonic x dairy dams covered yearly by a boer buck. I'd also like to raise purebred breeding stock boers as well, too. Feet are another thing my boers all seemed like they needed improved, and I've seen pictures that say others have the problem too... never got very far with that before getting out of them, but food for thought if you have wet/mushy pastures especially.

[motdaugrnds]

Thanks you two. That information helps me a lot.

[bloomvalley]

We have had Kikos for 10 years in Kansas.
The gentleman you spoke with did have the right idea.
The general health of a Kiko meat goat is superior to many other breeds. Less parasite problems, fewer hoof issues and some of the best mothers you will find. To put a Kiko buck with your does would be a good move. good luck in your quest to find one.

[motdaugrnds]

Bloomvalley, thanks for the information. Personal experiences mean much to me and I appreciate your sharing yours.

This man told me he would have a kiko buckling for sale before too long but that it would not be a purebred. It would be mixed with boer. What is your take on such a buckling? (There are purebred boers around here but I've not found a purebred Kiko. This man brought the Kiko goats in but did not keep them separate from his boers.)