Buyer question
Is a Boer goat good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Boer goat 4 out of 5 for beginners (good first meat goat).
Source: the Boer goat page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Boer goat in the Animal Library
The detail
Boer goats were developed in South Africa for meat, with a white body and red head. They are the most common meat goat in the US and grow fast and heavy, which suits producers selling kids and 4-H families.
- Temperament
- Docile, calm
- Best fit
- Meat herds, 4-H
- Energy
- 3 out of 5 (Calm, less jumpy)
- Hardiness
- 3 out of 5 (Needs parasite control)
What to weigh
Boers are more prone to internal parasites than hardy breeds like Kiko and need regular fecal checks. They eat more and need solid, woven-wire fencing.