Alpine goat: breed description and characteristics, breeding features

Alpine - a unique breed adapted to life and finding food in harsh climatic conditions. Caring for a calm and unpretentious alpine goat is not difficult, maintenance does not require special skills. The breed belongs to dairy, animals are valued for large milk yields, high-quality milk without a specific smell, long lactation period, easy milking process.

History of the Alpine goat breed

The history of the breed began in France, in the Savoy region, which is located in the foothills of the Alps. However, in this region, the borders of three European countries are connected: France, Switzerland, Italy.Therefore, it is generally accepted that Alpine goats are not only French, but also Swiss. Active breeding of the breed in France began in the early 20th century. Until that time, the rock, adapted to live in the mountains, eat pasture, drink spring water, was bred by farmers exclusively in the Savoy region and neighboring Swiss regions.

The breed standard, which describes the appearance and productivity, was compiled by French breeders in 1930. But a decade earlier, 22 individuals were transported to the United States, where breeders received an American interbreed variety based on them.

Today Alpine goats are popular in Western Europe and the USA. In these countries, breeding individuals account for 90% of the population.

Description and characteristics of the animal

The breed standard for choosing a good individual is shown in the table.

hornsflat, with a cavity inside and strong bone tissue neck ears chest belly limbs wool height at the withers

Appearance	Standard parameters
head	elongated, not very flattened
medium length
flat, erect
round, slightly convex
round
medium length , strong, sinewy, in proportion to the body
short, with dense undercoat, not suitable for use in furrier deed
male - 85-90 cm, female - 70-80 cm

Alpine goat colors vary:

• kunawar - the front half of the body is black, the back is white;
• white neck - neck and shoulders are white, the rest of the body is black or gray;
• red-necked - neck and shoulders are brownish-red, the rest of the body is black or dark brown;
• pide - the body is covered with spots or specks;
• sandgow - white spots on a black body;
• chamois - the body is red, red-brown or brownish-red, the head and neck are covered with black specks, the limbs are black, a black stripe runs along the spinal column;
• magpie - the head is white, and the body is decorated with spots;
• bicolors and tricolors - two-color and three-color individuals.

Alpine goats are calm, friendly, independent, do not require constant monitoring and special care from the owner.They get along without problems with other breeds of goats, as well as with other non-aggressive domestic animals. Alpine pets are active, strong, lively, hardy. It is not a problem for them to walk several kilometers in search of food. On grazing, animals behave briskly, playfully, thanks to which they are not prone to obesity.

Alpine - one of the most productive goats. The average annual productivity of one female is 1.5 tons of milk. But individual record holders are capable of producing 2 tons. The average daily output is 4.5 liters.

In milk, the content of proteins is increased - 3.1% and milk fat - 3.5%. The taste of the product is sweet, there is no specific goat smell. Swiss goat milk is used to make baby food, cheese, cottage cheese.

Pros and cons

Alpine is one of the most popular breeds among European and American farmers.

Pros and consendurance, unpretentiousness of goats, quick adaptation to climatic conditions;ability to endure negative winter temperatures;lack of capriciousness in care and maintenance;high milk yield;calm, balanced, flexible, independent character;independence from a person during a summer pasture;pleasant taste of dairy products without a specific smell;fertility;the possibility of mating with representatives of other breeds to improve their genetic qualities.excessive demands on the quality and freshness of water;difficult search for purebred individuals for purchase, since the breed is not yet common in our country;the high cost of purebred goats due to their rarity;low productivity in meat production.

Rules for keeping and caring for the breed

Convenience of keeping alpine pets - in the absence of the need for capital construction. One goat needs a space of 3-4 m^{2 It is not necessary to insulate the building, mineral wool can be used if desired. But drafts are unacceptable, there should not be a single gap in the walls. Goats tolerate low temperatures without problems, but are sensitive to drafts and dampness, they get pneumonia, accompanied by an intense cough. The building must be equipped with a good ventilation system, for this a couple of ventilation holes are made in the walls.}

The barn is cleaned once a week. Bedding should always be dry and clean. Males are kept separately from females and cubs. The plank floor must be raised to a height of about 20 cm above the ground, lined with straw. It is impossible to keep goats on bare ground, their hooves, sensitive to dirt and dampness, will suffer from this.Since the alpine breed is rocky, its representatives prefer to sleep on a hill. Therefore, sleeping plank shelves are being built in the barn at a height of 50 cm from the floor.

What to feed alpine goats

Grazing is a must. Moreover, goats prefer dry and fiber-rich food. They willingly use, in addition to grass, branches of shrubs, young tree shoots, dried leaves, thin bark. Therefore, the farmer will either have to find a pasture where such food is available, or additionally treat the goats with twigs and bark.

In winter, hay becomes the main source of fiber, but in summer it is put in the feeder. One goat eats 55-60 tightly filled 50kg bags of hay a year.

Hay in the diet must be combined with grain feed, cereal mixtures. In winter, the diet is supplemented with concentrates, their daily amount is 250-300 g per individual. Pieces of s alt for licking are placed near the drinker.

Alpine goat water must be crystal clear. Representatives of the breed are extremely squeamish about drinking, they will not drink stagnant water, even if it has only been standing for a day and has not become contaminated. Therefore, farmers have to either change the water 2-3 times a day, or install automatic drinkers.

Features of breeding

Females become sexually mature at 6 months of age. But a goat weighing at least 35 kg is selected for mating. The optimal age for the first mating is a minimum of 9 months, a maximum of 1.5 years. There is a goat in estrus, lasting about a week. If the male is not intended for breeding work, then he is castrated before 3 months of age.

Alpine goats can be spawned in several ways:

1. Artificial insemination is a popular method in large livestock farms. The procedure is long, expensive, but convenient.
2. Manual mating. The selected male and female are driven into a separate fence, where they mate. The method is optimal for obtaining purebred offspring with the necessary qualities.
3. Free mating. Animals are in a common fence, mating without human control.

Females carry offspring for 5 months. Childbirth usually proceeds easily, human intervention is not required. It is only necessary to wash the udder with warm water before the birth process. Alpine goat brings 1-4 cubs. Newborn kids immediately begin to feed on mother's milk, which strengthens their immunity. The offspring can be left with the mother for a long time, but this will reduce milk production.

Possible diseases

Alpine goats have strong immunity, no hereditary diseases. But representatives of the breed can catch an infection, get sick due to improper care.

Dangerous diseases for goats:

1. Brucellosis is an infectious pathology dangerous to humans. Therefore, contaminated milk and meat must be disposed of. The source of infection may be low-quality grain feed.
2. Pleuropneumonia is an infectious disease that leads to inflammation of the lungs. Occurs in goats kept in damp conditions at low temperatures.
3. Agalactia - milklessness of infectious origin. The infection affects the udder and joints. Pregnancy often ends in miscarriage.
4. Pathologies of the hooves caused by poor care. A sick animal is lame, sometimes even unable to stand up.

Alpine goats in Russia

Russian farmers love alpine goats for their unpretentiousness and high milk yield, but they mostly buy them abroad. In our country, you can buy an animal only in private nurseries, since the breed is not yet common.

The purchase must be approached with caution so as not to run into an unscrupulous breeder. You should look for a reputable nursery, read the reviews. Arriving at the seller's farm, you should try the milk, see in what conditions the livestock is kept.

Worth paying attention to the following alpine goat nurseries:

1. Kozinski farms. Samara region, Stavropol district, Aleksandrovka village.
2. LPH "Forest Land". Nizhny Novgorod.
3. LPH "Golden Compound". Tula region, Bogoroditsky district, the village of Krasny Posad.
4. LPH "Senavlan". St. Petersburg, Admir alteyskaya metro station.

You will have to pay a considerable amount for an alpine pet. A goat for breeding will cost 40-50 thousand rubles. For a purebred female in nurseries they ask for 25-30 thousand. A kid can be bought for 5-8 thousand.

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