Boer Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
A large, muscular meat breed developed in early-20th-century South Africa from indigenous African goats crossed with European and Asian stock, easily recognized by its white body and red-brown head and neck. Mature bucks weigh 110-135 kg and does 90-100 kg.
Species
Caprine
Family
Bovidae
Climate requirements
Adaptable across a range of Kenyan agro-ecological zones from warm lowlands to cooler mid-altitude areas, though it does best with adequate shelter and is less drought-hardy than indigenous breeds in extreme ASAL heat.
Husbandry guide
Suited to both extensive grazing and intensive feedlot finishing, with strong feed conversion supporting daily weight gains of roughly 150-200 g under good management. Does are highly fertile, frequently producing twins or triplets, which speeds herd expansion. The breed reaches market weight in about 4-6 months when well fed, and shows strong resistance to common diseases, though routine deworming and vaccination against enterotoxaemia and PPR are still recommended. Clean, dry housing with good ventilation reduces pneumonia and foot-rot risk in wetter zones.
Economic importance
Boer goats and Boer crosses command premium prices in Kenya's growing chevon (goat meat) market and feedlot export trade, making the breed a major driver of commercial meat-goat agribusiness.