Goat earrings: what is it and what is its purpose, what breeds have them

Goats are one of the oldest domesticated animals. In modern animal husbandry, there are more than 200 breeds. Thoroughbred goats differ not only in their productive orientation, but also in external signs, for example, some of them have earrings, while others do not. Consider the purpose of goat earrings, for representatives of which breeds they are typical.

What are the earrings on a goat's neck

The so-called earrings are fleshy outgrowths covered with wool, which in goats are located under the lower jaw. They do not perform any function and, most likely, have no practical significance.Although it is believed that the earrings originated as a protective device - if a predator grabs a goat by the throat, there is a chance that the earrings will come off and the animal will run away.

However, apparently, this is the result of a mutation that arose once, which was fixed among the representatives of the species. Not all goats have earrings, not all purebred animals inherit them, even if they are characteristic of the breed.

Sort by characteristics

Goats with earrings can be found among breeds bred by domestic or foreign breeders, of any direction - dairy, meat, down, wool; in horned and hornless, as well as in miniatures, they are present. That is, we can say that earrings are characteristic of the biological species as a whole.

Dairy breeds of goats with earrings

Russian white goats have earrings. Animals with white wool, universal purpose - give milk, meat, fluff, thin skin. Females are prolific - they can bring 3-4 kids in each lambing.

The necks of the famous Saanen goats are also decorated with earrings. Animals are large, white, hornless, with fine hair, graceful build. They are distinguished by long lactation, give a record amount of milk with excellent taste. Alpine breed, which is also distinguished by high milk yield and almost continuous lactation. Goats are fertile and are able to bring 4 kids at each birth. Withstand harsh environments.

Czech Brown is a breed adapted to difficult Russian weather. Queens are milked almost all year round, they can produce 5-6 liters of milk per day. Kids grow intensively, there are 2-3 of them in lambing.

Meat goats

Black Anatolian breed is also bred in Russia. In addition to earrings, animals have a beard, thick and long hair. They can be kept even in Siberia, they are not afraid of cold and wind. In addition to meat, fluff and wool can be obtained from them, although not in the same quantity as from varieties of a special orientation.Little goats are born, often 1, sometimes 2.

The Boer meat goat is a large animal of dense constitution, white in color, with a brown head and upper neck, small horns and hanging ears. They are distinguished by good he alth, vitality, can produce 3 offspring in 2 years.

Downy

The Orenburg breed is the leader in the production of thin, soft, elastic fluff. Color - black and white. Individuals are prolific - in lambing there is always not one, but several babies.

Black Down Goat produces fine, long, non-shiny down. Animals are medium-sized, black, thin-legged and long-eared.

Cashmere goats with earrings are white or gray, white down is more valued in production. It is very light and does not cause allergies even in children. Animals are large, body length - 1.5 m. Kashmiri queens give birth to only 1 goat.

Wooly goats with earrings

The representatives of the Angora breed have a small body size and weight, but animals are valued for their beautiful wool, strong and shiny. Most animals are white, but there are gray, black and silver colors. Harvesting the "harvest" of wool can be carried out more often than usual - 2 times a season, as it grows back quickly. Give 1 goat. In breeding work, Angoras are used to improve the characteristics of other breed varieties.

Soviet breed - animals of white color, the coat is strong and shiny. Animals slightly larger than Angoras, mobile, quickly adapt to the conditions of detention, but not too prolific.

Hornless breeds

In addition to the Saanen goats, this group includes related Toggenburg goats. In terms of productivity and fertility, the breed is similar to the Saanen, but differs in coat color - light brown with white patches. Used to improve breeds.

Lamancha breed also with earrings. Animals are strong, dairy, color - white, brown and black. The milk is not spoiled by an unpleasant odor, medium fat. There are at least 2-3 cubs in lambing (maximum 5).

The Nubian goat, although thermophilic, is unpretentious in food, eats little. Differ in multiplicity, can bring 2 lambing per season. Milk content - up to 1 thousand liters per lactation, odorless milk, its fat content - up to 6%.

Dwarf representatives

Cameroon goats with earrings are undemanding to the conditions of keeping and feeding, they love warmth, but do not tolerate humidity. Average weight - 30 kg, height at the withers - 50 cm. Color - from white to brown and black. From them you can get both meat and milk.The litter gives 2 kids.

The Nigerian breed is similar to the Cameroonian. Animals can be attributed to the dairy type, from them you can get 1-1.5 liters of milk per day. Lactation lasts 305 days. Fur color red, white, black. Animals are clean and playful, you can even train and keep as a pet. Protective and friendly. Up to 3 kids are born in the offspring.

Goat's earrings are a fickle sign. They can be inherited from any of the parents, but not always to all descendants of the same goat or goat. They are not a breed trait either, they are not considered a defining characteristic for any breed (the presence or absence of earrings does not indicate purebredness or, conversely, local origin of the animal).