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Goat Notes
When we first got into goats, we found the learning curve was really steep. There were so many terms thrown around, Purebred, 100%, NKR etc.. It all was very confusing. Here’s a quick rundown of the 3 common terms you will hear when you start looking for a Kiko goat.
The Kiko breed can be broken down into basically 3 groups
Commercial
Purebred
100% NZ
100% NZ
In order to be classified as 100% these goats must have a lineage traceable to the original goats from NZ. Breeders place a high value on these goats and some of them have great genetics and have proven to be solid performers. But buyer beware, just because a goat is labeled as 100% does not mean it is superior to Purebred or Commercial goats. It only means it has a paper trail. Unfortunately, over time, some breeders have been so focused on producing 100% goats that they have been tempted to continue to breed inferior goats, if only because they are labeled as 100%. Don’t get me wrong, most 100% goats are amazing and solid breeding stock, just beware that the Fancy Stamp and high price does not always a great goat make.
Purebred Kiko
Purebreds have to have a papered lineage proving that they are at least 94% Kiko. This is where I believe you are going to find your best performing goats and at a medium price point. These goats could still possibly genetically be a 100% Kiko goat, they just don't have the paper trail to prove it. They could have also have been bred to another breed such as a Boer goat at some point in their background.
By Crossbreeding Kiko goats with other breeds, such as a Boer, you can bring out some of the best traits of both breeds. For instance the stocky meaty frame of a Boer goat with the parasite resistance and mothering ability of a Kiko.
Commercial Goats
Commercial goats are just that. Unregistered (no paper trail) goats that make up the majority of the meat goat population in the US. The fact that they are unregistered doesn’t mean they are inferior goats, just that they have not been registered for one reason or another. Goats that are Terminal: (bred just for market), or breeding stock for pure meat goat herds are usually commercial. If you are just starting out in Goats, I highly suggest to start with Commercial Does. The price point is much lower than registered animals and there can be a steep learning curve to raising goats. You don’t want your initial mistakes to be on expensive animals.
Goat Registries
There are several Registries that provide breeders the ability to trace the lineage of their goats. The 2 largest ones are The National Kiko Registry (NKR) and the American Kiko Goat Association (AKGA). Both registries have their pros and cons, but both offer a way to trace the lineage of Kiko goats through DNA. We are members of both organizations and have Goats that are both Single and Dual registered. Both organizations put on several conferences a year and hold Live Auctions for registered goats throughout the U.S. I highly recommend attending one if you are able. You will learn a lot, have the chance to look over lots of different goats from all different farms, and you will meet some amazing people as well. The community has been very welcoming to us.