Alpine goat breed: main differences. Alpine goat breed

They say that the rocks of animals are hardy, and the alpine goat is the best confirmation of this. That is why today the Alpine goat breed is bred far beyond the borders of Switzerland. However, you need to immediately define the terms. The Alpine breed of goats is, as you know, domestic animals, moreover, very productive. And this is not fiction, but confirmed data by many years of experience.

Alpine ibex is a wild animal, and relatively recently it was on the verge of extinction. And it cannot even be considered an ancestor of modern breeds, since scientists believe that domestic Alpine goats are descendants of chamois that were found in the French part of the Alps. However, the mountain goat is also useful, if only because it attracts tourists to Swiss resorts. And in the old days, magical properties were attributed to him.

These animals also have a second name - ibexes. Adult individuals reach a height at the withers of about 90 cm and a length of 150 cm. At the same time, the alpine goat weighs only about 40 kg. But the males are more massive - up to 100 kg, due to the fact that their heads are decorated with branched horns. But goats have small, short, barely noticeable horns. Both sexes have beards. In summer, these animals have a dark brown coat, in females it often has a golden or reddish tint. And in winter, both in males and in females, it becomes gray.

Ibeks live in the Alps, where the border between forests and ice passes. In winter, they descend lower, and in summer they go to alpine meadows in search of food.

In ancient times, this animal was associated with the mythical ibex. Therefore, alchemists and magicians used the horns of ibexes, their blood, wool and even excrement for various rituals and for making potions for all kinds of diseases. All this led to the fact that the ibexes were on the verge of extinction. It is known that at the beginning of the 19th century their number was about 100 individuals, and they mainly lived in a small area in the Italian part of the Alps. But then the authorities began to take measures to preserve these animals, and today they are not threatened with extinction. Their total number is about 40 thousand heads, and now they are found throughout the Swiss Alps.

Alpine goats

The main distinguishing feature of these animals is strong genetics. It manifests itself in the fact that alpine goats can transmit a breed trait through several generations. Their main feature is a variegated or two-tone color. Unfortunately, because of this property, it can be difficult for a non-specialist to understand whether he is dealing with a purebred representative of the breed or a cross. But this problem is easy to solve. Alpine goats are sold in nurseries, all relevant documents are attached to them, so the purchase of animals through such organizations is a guarantee that farmers will receive a purebred individual.

The description of the breed should begin with its history. Alpine goats are native to the French province of Savoyard. Here, representatives of this breed play an important role in animal husbandry, other breeds are practically not grown in this area.

Alpine goat is an animal that is used to living in the mountains, and therefore easily adapts to severe weather conditions and cold weather. That is why the breeding of this species of goats can be beneficial for Russian farmers. However, these animals are grown in Ukraine, and in Belarus, and in Italy, and even in America.

Conventionally, representatives of this breed are divided into several subtypes - French, Swiss, British, etc. However, in their appearance, they do not differ much from each other. The growth of an adult female is about 85 cm, and the weight is about 60 kg. The goat, of course, weighs much more - about 80 kg, and the average height can be up to 90 cm. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by large bodies with well-defined withers, funny long tails and relatively small heads for such growth.

These goats have a neck of medium thickness, and the ears must certainly be erect (if they are drooping, this will already be considered a breed defect).

The legs of the representatives of the breed are thin, the muzzles are straight.

The characteristics of the breed would be incomplete without a description of the color. In alpine goats, it can be very diverse - from pure white or black to brown, two- and even three-color. The wool of these animals is smooth, short; goats are bred not for the sake of it, but for the sake of milk. But even dairy goats are sheared for hygienic purposes according to breed standards in order to ensure both temperature control and neat appearance.

This breed is versatile and productive. In addition, goats are fertile. Some experts believe that these are excellent individuals in order to use them for selection and breeding of new breeds, since all experiments of this kind have been carried out and have shown that crossing with Alpines gives an increase in milk yield and an increase in milk fat content.

Varieties of Alpine breed

There are 2 varieties of this breed. There are French goats, this is a dairy breed obtained by crossing local breeds with Swiss. Adapted to mountain conditions. They can be of various colors. Often there are white and spotted animals, but the most common option is the color of chamois. These goats come with or without horns. The average productivity for this variety is 900 liters of milk from one goat during the period from lambing to lambing. In France goat milk- a popular product, some traditional cheeses are made from it, so many farms keep a herd of up to 1000 goats and even more. Selection work is carried out, which is aimed at acquiring these animals suitability for machine milking.

The British Alpine breed is sometimes referred to in the literature as Toggenburg, Black.

It was registered in England at the beginning of the 20th century. A distinctive feature of this breed is a pure black color, however, the muzzle and ears of the animal usually have white stripes and edging. The same white stripes are at the bottom of the tail, often there are white “stockings” on the legs. This is called "Swiss marks". English goats are taller than other breeds, they are slender, on thin legs, with a graceful neck. Ears should also be erect, as per the standard for the whole breed. Only in this case they are slightly directed forward. The productivity of the breed is quite high. On average, daily milk yields from one individual are up to 4.5 liters.

Breed productivity

The only purpose for which this breed is bred is milk. Indeed, from this point of view, the breed has excellent performance. One lactation in a representative of the "Alpines" lasts an average of 315 days. During this time, you can get about 750-1000 liters of milk (depending on the conditions of detention, on the diet, on the age of the animal). Some farms manage to get up to 1600 kg of milk. Thus, the Alpines are superior in terms of productivity to many other breeds. An interesting experiment was compiled in the United States, where they eventually managed to achieve a record lactation volume of 2215 kg of milk. This shows that the present level is not the limit. And if the main goal of breeding a breed is milk, then all breeding work should be aimed specifically at increasing quantitative indicators.

As for the quality of milk, it is always on top in this breed. The fat content of the product also depends on the conditions in which the goat lives, on what it eats, but on average this figure fluctuates at the level of 3.5–5.5%. In addition, milk is valued for consumer properties, since it has a pleasant delicate taste, and it can be used to make different kinds fats. The standard is a fat content of 5.5% with a protein content of 4%. Subject to all conditions per day, an adult goat can produce up to 8 kg of milk per day that meets all requirements. The meat productivity of this breed is considered satisfactory.

If we talk about the fertility of goats, then since these are multiparous animals, the owners can get up to 4 kids from each goat for one offspring.

Breeding aspects

Growing "Alpines" is not difficult only in comparison with other breeds of these animals. In fact, for beginners in this business, there may be enough nuances that will need to be closely worked on. But in any case, this breed perfectly adapts to any conditions of detention, at least with regard to the climatic features of the area, its weather features.

Experts note that such animals do not need special space. In most cases, 3-4 square meters is enough per adult. It is clear that the room in which the goats will live must be dry, bright and clean, only then they will feel comfortable, but this applies to representatives of any breed. Goats are animals that do not like to lie on bare floors. Therefore, it is recommended to arrange special beds for them. The height of such flooring should be about 60 cm. This is a rock, its representatives always prefer to rest on a hill. These animals are not too sensitive to winter colds, because by the cold months they grow a thick undercoat.

But the hooves of goats are a weak point - as, indeed, in other artiodactyl animals. Therefore, in the room where they are kept, there must be not only beds, but also a warm wooden floor, in no case earthen.

The "Alpines" are fed the same as representatives of other breeds. In the warm season, green fodder will be needed, and in winter they can be fed with hay. Vitamins and mineral supplements goats also do not hurt. To do this, pure crushed chalk (this is calcium), table salt, ready-made mineral supplements are mixed into the feed in the dosage prescribed by the manufacturer for such animals. In addition, goats are periodically given vegetables and various root crops. Some farmers feed goats with tops and various food waste from the garden - for example, those weeds that still have to be weeded out. You just need to make sure that this type of plant does not contain any toxins that should not be included in the diet of a dairy animal.

However, they need a special drinking regime, which would significantly improve milk yield. Water must certainly be clean, this breed is very sensitive to the quality of drinking. This can be seen even by the fact that even if the water in the drinking bowls is slightly contaminated, the animals do not touch it, although they may be very thirsty. Therefore, you need to regularly check the condition of the water in the drinkers, change it not as the drinkers are empty, but much more often.

Not only the mountainous surroundings, but also any large pastures are suitable for walking the "Alpines".

How fast is the herd growing?

Although these animals are considered to be very practical from a breeding point of view, the first lambing can bring problems to the owners if they have not encountered such animals before. The fact is that in most breeds one kid is born in the first litter, and in alpine goats they usually have 2. In the future, each litter can have 4-5 kids, so you need to follow the process, although statistics show that this breed the infant mortality rate is very low.

In general, goats do not need help, no intervention is required from the farmer in feeding and raising kids, since goats have good lactation, and they themselves are very hardy and strong animals.

As soon as the farmer gains experience, he himself can do breeding work with interbreeding. Almost always, such experiments allow you to get even stronger and more resilient kids. Yes, and the level of milk yield in subsequent generations is growing. And experts say that the color of the young can be very interesting.

Alpine goats are famous for their endurance and unpretentiousness to difficult climatic conditions. That is why this breed is suitable for both a novice farmer and a professional. Consider what other advantages and disadvantages this breed has.

Origin

Alpine goat, as its name implies, is a rock (this explains its rapid adaptation to cold and severe weather conditions). First they were bred in Switzerland, and then they quickly spread to France, Italy and America. Now Alpine goats are one of the most popular breeds, which are actively bred all over the world. They are also distributed on the territory of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine. France, however, continues to dominate. There, the Alpine goat breed occupies 98%, therefore, only 2% falls on other breeds.

Description

It is difficult to give a clear description of the color of alpine goats, as it is quite diverse. They can be either pure white, brown or black, or two-color, and sometimes even three-color. Their coat is short and smooth, more of an ornament than a product from which you can benefit in the future. Therefore, these goats are completely unsuitable for those farmers who pay attention to wool productivity.

This breed has thin but strong legs with sensitive hooves. Their muzzle is long, flat, their ears are erect, the horns are strong and flat. Females are not fundamentally different from males. An alpine goat is usually taller than a female: its average height reaches 85–90 cm. For a female, the optimal height is 70–80 cm. Weight varies from 60 to 80 kg.

As for the character, these goats are very unpretentious and calm animals. Due to their mountain origin, they easily acclimatize in any conditions. They are not afraid of frost, they rarely have problems. They are not as dependent on human help as other breeds.

Productivity characteristics

The main advantage of this breed is their high productivity. Each year, the female gives approximately 1500 liters of milk. Cases were recorded when the annual productivity exceeded this norm. The fat content of milk is 3.5 - 5.5%. It is worth noting that the milk is of high quality. It is not uncommon for parents to be unable to get their children to drink healthy goat's milk because they are repelled by the bad smell. In this case, there is simply no such problem: Alpine goat milk does not have an unpleasant specific odor.

The female rarely gives birth to less than two kids, even in her first kid. On average, there are up to 5 kids in a litter.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Alpine breed is not just one of the most sought after breeds around the world. To be convinced of this statement, it is worth considering its advantages in more detail:

• endurance;
• adaptability to various climatic conditions;
• easy frost tolerance;
• calm, unpretentious character;
• high milk production;
• milk is of good quality, as well as the absence of a specific smell;
• less dependent on humans than other breeds.

However, this number of advantages does not mean that the Alpine goat is easy to handle. She also needs attention and care, which the owner must provide. Therefore, consider some of the shortcomings of the breed:

• it is difficult and quite expensive to find a purebred individual, they are sold only in special nurseries;
• very sensitive to water quality. "Alpiyka" will not touch dirty water, even if she is thirsty.

Alpine goats do not need special conditions content. 3-4 square meters should be allocated per individual. The only requirement is that the room be bright and dry, then they will feel comfortable. Goats do not like to lie on the floor, so it is worth building special sunbeds.

As for the diet, goats should be fed hay in winter, and green fodder in the warm season. Add chalk, mineral supplements, table salt, root vegetables and vegetables to your diet regularly. Change the water daily, this breed is especially sensitive to the state of drinking water.

Breeding

Alpines are very practical animals even for beginners, because they rarely have problems in further breeding. In her first goat, a goat usually gives birth to two kids, and in subsequent goats, their number can reach five. Rarely there are problems with childbirth: females can cope with this process without the presence of a person. The mortality rate of goats of this breed is very low. Help is not needed in the further feeding and rearing of the brood, the female copes without the intervention of the farmer.

Alpine goat can be crossed with other breeds. "Crossbreeding" almost always brings impressive results: kids are born more hardy than their parents, and are also distinguished by high productivity and an interesting color.

Alpine goats are one of the most popular breeds for a reason. Due to their calm disposition and high degree of endurance, they do not depend much on human activities. But to get a really good percentage of productivity, you need to carefully monitor compliance with all the norms of their life. If they are provided with everything necessary, they will please the owners with pleasant results.

The Alpine goat breed is a very ancient breed. It was bred in the cantons of Switzerland. For a long period, these goats lived only on alpine pastures (this is where the etymology of the name comes from). In the twenties of the twentieth century, this breed spread to the territory of Italy, France and the USA, where, in fact, it gained its high popularity.

The Alpine goat breed has greatly influenced the development of many other species. Yes, in different countries, as a result of crossing this breed with local ones, Oberhasli, mountain alpine, Swiss alpine, American, British and French breeds of alpine goats appeared.

1. Appearance

Outwardly, the Alpine breed is quite large in comparison with other breeds. Alpines have a fairly diverse color: from gray to brown, and from white to black.

Regarding the general color of the breed, we can say that the limbs to the knees, the lower abdomen, muzzle and ears are dark. For a very long period, any color could serve as a sign of the breed, but in modern times, in contrast to the brown Toggenburg and white Saanen breeds, the color of the Alpine has changed radically.

Although the breed is quite large, it is graceful and has a strong constitution. The height of goats at the withers is 66-76 cm, goats - 79-86 cm. The head is short and light, the horns are oval and flat. The profile is straight, the ears are erect and straight. Wide and voluminous, deep chest, short neck, straight back with a narrow rump are the main features of the appearance of this breed.

The Alpine breed has very thin and short limbs, which can seem quite fragile. But, on the contrary, they are very resistant, strong hooves, which are very soft and elastic inside, very hard on the outside. To a greater extent, the hair of these goats is short, although it is quite long on the hips and back.

2. Advantages

This breed is very prolific, and under normal conditions can produce up to four kids in one litter. The main feature of alpine goats is their ability to adapt to any terrain and to different climatic conditions. The nature of goats is very "easy", as they are quite friendly and responsive to their owners. However, in relation to, they try to be taller and dominate the rest. That is why it is safe to say that the Alpines will not go hungry.

The Alpine goat breed is distinguished by an uncanny unpretentiousness to its diet. The same can be said about the content of this breed, because it makes absolutely no difference to them in what conditions they live and how the owner treats them.

3. Disadvantages

The main and one of the significant shortcomings of the Alpine breed is its egoism and egocentrism. In relation to the owner, she is kind and gentle, but in relation to herd mates, she is different.

Because of their morality to dominate other breeds in the herd, they may leave other species to starve. In extreme cases of disobedience from other goats, they can drive them away from the feeder and push them away with their horns.

4. Features

The main feature of this breed is its versatility. Alpine goats have impeccable performance in the field of productivity, because they give very a large number of milk, which strengthens its position due to quality. So the Alpines themselves have excellent data and opportunities for fruitfulness where they rightfully occupy a high position in relation to other breeds.

Along with these features, Alpines are excellent individuals for modifying and improving other breeds of goats. In the course of selection with other species, almost all of them had changes in the field of productivity (increase in fat content and amount of milk), as well as in the field of fertility (if earlier there was one goat per litter, then as a result of selection, the selected individual will give two or three per goat). litter).

5. Productivity

The Alpine goat breed has excellent performance in the field of milk productivity. An adult goat has a weight of 60-64 kg, and a goat - 75-80 kg. Since goats are prolific, up to four kids can be born in one goat. There is also a very high productivity of milk: for one lactation, which lasts an average of about 315 days, you can achieve a result of 750-1000 kg. If, however, a goat is kept in excellent conditions, it has an excellent diet, then milk yield can reach 1600 kg of milk.

The record milk yield for one lactation was recorded in the USA and amounted to as much as 2215 kg of milk. These are simply astonishing figures that leave almost all other high-yielding dairy goats behind.

The fat content of milk depends directly on the conditions of the goat. So, the percentage of fat content can range from 3.5 to 5.5%. Milk has a very pleasant and delicate taste. That is why it is very often used to make different types cheeses. Meat productivity is satisfactory.

Dairy daily productivity reaches 8 kg of milk. In addition to 5.5% fat, such milk in different cases can contain up to 4% protein, which is also a high figure.

6. Peculiarities of breeding

Since this breed has a wonderful character in relation to the owner, it will not be difficult to find a common language with it. The same applies to her ability to adapt to different conditions of detention, in different territorial areas. That is why, Alpines have excellent endurance to a variety of weather conditions.

Alpine goats are fed the same as normal goats. But there is another distinguishing feature that is very important for the productivity of this breed: water. Drinking is the owner's main tool in creating suitable conditions for successful milking. That is why they need many times more water to drink than other high-milk goats.

For walking the Alpine goat, preference is given to the mountainous surroundings, and more specifically, to large pastures. With the breeding of the Alpine breed, any novice who knows a little can easily cope.

Together with all the qualities of this breed, we can say that breeding them is a very profitable and profitable business. Yes, the initial costs are considerable, which are manifested in the price of a goat. But nevertheless, in the near future, all of them will pay off and will be able to bring enormous income.

Crossbreeding goats with other species will bring excellent offspring that will surpass their parents many times over. It is "interbreeding" that makes it possible to acquire worthy fruitful offspring.

Together with all the qualities of the Alpine goat breed, it can be confidently stated that it rightfully occupies one of the highest places among high-milk goats. , proper care (by this we mean kindness, warmth and care in relation), frequent removals to mountain pastures, will bring the highest results, both in the field of fertility and offspring, and in the field of productivity of excellent, high-quality milk.

Was this article helpful?
Not really

Currently Full description breed has not yet been compiled. This happens due to the small number of purebred "alpies" in Russia. After all, crossbreeds are more common (when a thoroughbred goat is crossed with other popular breeds). Alpine ibex and goats are, however, very popular among those who have already started this breed. They are loved for their excellent external characteristics, good disposition, tasty milk and easy adaptation to the conditions of detention.

A characteristic feature of alpiytsev - a strong and long-term transmission of a breed trait even after several generations. In their case, this is a distinctive variegated or two-tone color. For the same reason, it is quite difficult to understand whether you are dealing with purebreds or crossbreeds. For insurance, experienced breeders recommend purchasing such kids only in nurseries, with the appropriate documents.

Origin

The ancestors of modern Alpine goats were animals that lived on farms in France (Savoyard). The second name of these inhabitants of the French fields and mountains is chamois. To date, chamois are very popular throughout France, we can say that they make up about 98% of them.

The primary population had many different colors, and also mainly grazed in the mountains, so it perfectly adapted to windy weather, unsteady loose soils and feeding on pasture. Now "alpieka" is bred in the USA, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus. In America, these goats are also very popular, no less than in their homeland.

Appearance

The Alpine goat breed is conditionally divided into Swiss, French, British and Rock, which, in principle, does not particularly affect the appearance - it is similar in all subtypes, despite the breeding area. An adult goat usually has a height of about 85 cm and a weight of about 60 kg. The goat weighs more - about 78 kg, and has a height of up to 90 cm. A characteristic feature of the body of alpine goats is a large body with a pronounced withers, a long tail and a light, small head.

The neck of these animals is of medium thickness, the ears must be erect (drooping is already a breed defect). The muzzle is straight, the legs are thin, the hair is all over the body. middle length. Before exhibitions and even at home, pets are usually sheared - this way they look more neat and beautiful. We will talk about colors separately, this theme is very rich in Alpine goats. In the meantime, we invite you to watch a video in which goats of this breed frolic in the yard.

colors

There are eight types of colors in total, but today the most common in the world are: motley (“la Pie” or magpie), light-necked (“la Cou clair”) and chamois (“la Noire à barrettes”). Additional colors that are less common but also quite popular are Two-tone chamoises (chamois with two colors), Broken chamoises (chamois with spots), and white and black neck (Cou blanc and Cou noir). In France, the preferred color is bay or common chamois, while in the US, black-necked and pied goats are very popular, which you can see in the next video.

Productivity and palatability of milk

The breed itself belongs to dairy, despite the tricky natural conditions, it can produce a large amount of fat milk (5.5%). Milkiness at proper care high and reaches 1.6 tons of milk per year. The record milk figure from alpine goats was recorded in the United States, its annual value is 2, 215 tons of milk. The taste of such milk is very high, it does not smell like a “goat” at all, due to this, children drink it well.

One such pet can give more than 5 liters of product per day! Of course, all this is possible only with quality nutrition and good conditions. The taste of milk is sweet and creamy, with a dense structure, we can say that it is quite dense, not watery. Very often, milk is collected and homemade cheese and cottage cheese are made from it.

Important! The goat smell will be absent only if there is no admixture of village individuals in the breed. In the following video, you can see how to properly milk an animal.

Little mountain Switzerland has managed to become the birthplace of several top breeds of cattle and goats at once. However, today we will talk about one of the main competitors of the Saanen and Toggenburg dairy goats - the French Alpine breed. These goats have a very memorable appearance and are famous for their high milk production.

According to the prevailing version, Alpine goats originate from the French historical region of Savoy, located at the foot of the Alps and partly right in the Alps. However, in view of the fact that in this area the borders of three modern states converge at once - France, Switzerland and Italy - there are serious reasons to believe that Swiss livestock breeders also made a significant contribution to the breeding of the breed.

More or less clearly, the history of the breed can be traced only from the beginning of the twentieth century, when French farmers began to actively breed it. According to one version, before that, the breed may have been cultivated only in the Savoyard region, or in the adjacent cantons of Switzerland.

Only in 1930, the first stud book of this Alpine goat was created in France with a description of what can be considered the starting point of the official existence of the breed. But already a decade before that, the first 22 alpine goats came to North America, where an American intrabreed type was bred on their basis. All alpine goats bred in the US today are descendants of these 22 individuals.

Over the next decades, the Alpine breed spread quite successfully throughout Europe and North America, but it gained the greatest popularity in France. Today, pedigree Alpine goats make up over 90% of the country's goat population; In total, there are about 150 thousand of these goats in France.

Alpine goat - description

It is rather difficult to give an exhaustive description for this breed of goats, since there are two intrabreed types (French and American) and several color options. Alpine goats come in all white, brown, or black, as well as bi-color or even tri-color.

All colors of Alpine goats are divided into eight types, but the most popular are variegated, light neck and "chamois". Somewhat less common are "two-color chamois" and "chamois with patches." In France, the "bay" or "common chamois" are most widespread, and in the United States - black-necked and motley goats.

With all the variety of colors, the wool of these goats is rather short, and therefore cannot be used as a by-product.

As for the rest of the characteristics of the exterior, it should be noted graceful and thin, but at the same time strong legs. The muzzle of the alpines is long and straight, the ears are narrow and erect, next to strong flat horns. The average height of goats at the withers is about 87 cm, goats - 75 cm. Body weight is about 80 and 60 kg, respectively.

Almost all farmers in their reviews of alpine goats note their complaisant nature. In addition, representatives of this breed quite easily adapt to almost any conditions of detention. Unlike other breeds, they do not require every minute attention from a person.

Along with the Toggenburg and Saanen goats, the Alpine breed is the top three most productive dairy breeds of the domestic goat. Although for some reason many domestic sources cite average milk yields per lactation at the level of 1.5 thousand liters (which is obviously an overestimate figure), according to French data, the average milk yield is 780-800 liters. The best goats produce on average about one thousand liters of milk.

Milk has average fat content (3.7%) and protein content (3.2%) for goats. At the same time, as most sources note when describing the breed, an alpine goat gives milk that is completely devoid of a goat smell, so it is completely impossible to distinguish it from a cow in taste and smell.

Due to the fact that the breed has a pronounced dairy orientation, there is no need to talk about the high meat productivity of Alpine goats. With an average slaughter yield of young animals at the level of 43%, less than 10 kg of meat per animal is obtained. Adults can give two to two and a half times more, but the cost of the product will also be higher due to long-term maintenance.

We also note once again that the characteristics of the wool of alpine goats do not allow the farmer to earn money on this type of product.

But in regard to fertility, alpine dairy goats show themselves very, very well. Even in the first pregnancy, a goat gives birth to at least two kids, and on average, 3-4 kids are obtained in one litter.

This breed is characterized by relative undemanding to the conditions of detention. For alpine goats, almost any barn of the appropriate size is suitable: one adult goat should have at least 3-4 square meters. m.

Also, one should not forget about the elementary rules for keeping livestock. The barn should be dry, well ventilated and light. Goats should be kept separate from goats and young.

Among the characteristics of the alpine goat, an important advantage is its excellent adaptability to winter cold, instilled in this breed at the stage of its formation in the conditions of a mountainous alpine climate. A dense undercoat protects the goat from frost. Thus, heating in the barn is not necessary even in the most severe winter, but it is also not recommended to leave animals in the open.

The only weak point of the Alpine goat is its hooves. To avoid problems, it is necessary to equip a full-fledged plank floor in the goat's house. Moreover, it is very important to raise it above the ground by 15-20 cm.

Also among the recommendations for equipping the barn, small wooden shelves at a height of 50-60 cm from the floor should be mentioned. Goats are madly in love to climb such elevations and sleep on them. However, this rather wish than a necessity.

As for the diet, there are no special requirements here either. In summer, purebred alpine goats can completely dispense with green fodder from the pasture. However, to increase milk production, it is still recommended to feed animals with vegetables and mineral and vitamin supplements.

IN winter period the diet of the alpine goat is based on hay and root crops and vegetables harvested since autumn. At this time of the year, it is also desirable to feed the animals with concentrated feed, not forgetting about vitamins and minerals.

Interestingly, the alpine goat, being completely omnivorous in terms of the feed that is offered to it, is nevertheless quite picky in matters of drinking water. If the drinking bowl is heavily soiled, the goat will die of thirst, but will not touch this water. For this reason, it is very important to regularly check the quality of the water in the drinkers.

The above general description of the Alpine goat breed gives a good idea of ​​its main advantages and disadvantages. Also, the mere fact that it is the most common in France, where industrial goat breeding is well developed, speaks of the merits of the breed. And although on a global scale this alpine goat is noticeably inferior in popularity to the Saanen goats, the prospects for them are quite large.

The main advantages for which farmers love the alpine goat are:

1. Magnificent exterior. Usually, at agricultural shows, the appearance of animals is judged by the degree to which they meet the breed standard. However, in the case of Alpine goats, there is a clear tendency to evaluate the aesthetic component. In other words, the Alpine goat really has a very beautiful appearance.
2. Ability to easily endure cold. Since the alpine goat comes from a mountainous alpine region, it is originally adapted to life in a harsh climate. For this reason, Alpine goats take root well in any mountainous area, as well as in northern regions where other goats can be cold.
3. High yields. It has already been said above how much milk an alpine goat gives. With an average lactation rate of 800 liters, the breed is excellent for industrial dairy breeding. In addition, the taste characteristics of this milk allow it to be used by everyone. possible ways- from consumption in its natural form to the production of cheeses, butter, etc.
4. Complimentary character. Almost all farmers who have dealt with this breed of goats speak positively about their temper. The goat is obedient, not naughty, and generally does not create any problems for the owner.

For the sake of fairness and objectivity, we should also mention the shortcomings that this breed is known for:

1. Sensitivity to water quality. It is difficult to consider this feature of the Alpine goat as a serious drawback. However, because of her, the owner at least has to be more careful in this matter.
2. High price. Due to the fact that in Russia the breeding of alpine goats has not yet acquired a large scale, young animals have to be bought in a few nurseries at a very tangible price.

Alpine goat breeding in Russia

At the moment, the number of purebred "alpies" in Russia is extremely small. This is due not so much to the shortcomings of the breed (which, in fact, do not exist), but to the fact that in Soviet times these goats were not imported to our country, and after the collapse of the USSR, goat farmers immediately began to switch to the more popular in the world saanen breed. At the same time, world No. 2 and No. 3 in the face of the Toggenburg and Alpine breeds are often simply ignored.

However, if we rely purely on the characteristics of the Alpine goat breed, on its advantages and disadvantages, it becomes obvious that it has a huge potential for breeding in Russia. The breed is completely undemanding to feed (namely, feed is one of the weakest points of domestic animal husbandry), tolerates a cold climate well and at the same time provides high milk yield.

Considering the foregoing, it can be stated with confidence that the Alpine breed of dairy goats is equally suitable for industrial breeding on large and medium-sized farms, and for keeping villagers in private households.

Another important advantage of the breed, which partly compensates for the lack, or rather the high cost of breeding young animals in Russia, is the ability of alpine goats to maintain their characteristics in offspring for a long time during interbreeding. In other words, by crossing a purebred goat with an ordinary village goat, you get a cross that has the same high milk productivity. And these indicators are preserved in several more generations of hybrids.