The pedigree or parenthood of an animal is required when purchasing registered animals for breeding and upgrading your herd. Claimed percentages are not warranted unless supported by official registry papers. We did a study where we used what claimed to be more than 75% Boer kids and paid more per head and compared them with those that did not claim Boer percentage (Solaiman et al., 2006). Both groups (8 goats per group) were placed either on the feedlot, pasture, or browse condition and ADG was measured.

Although kids claiming 75% Boer were heavier at the beginning of the study, there was no difference in ADG or final body weight between groups within each production system. However, the cost efficiency was lower with 75% Boer kids because they had higher purchase prices. You will pay higher prices for animals with registered parents, if the official paperwork is available.

Back to Proper Animal Selection

Solaiman, S. G., D. Bransby, C. Kerth, B. Blagburn, R. Noble and C. Shoemaker. 2006. A
sustainable year-round forage system for goat production in the Southern U.S. Final Report,
Project # LS02-141, Southern SARE.