What are the Best Goat Breeds for a Homestead 

In general, the best goat breeds for a homestead are goats that provide milk and meat. Some dual purpose breeds are Spanish and Tennessee. However, goats are also beneficial for clearing land with stubborn plants such as poison ivy and spiky vines.

This article will go over the various goat breeds that are most beneficial for dairy production, and meat production. Goat milk has a distinct flavor different than cow’s milk and will change flavor after a few days. Goat meat is lean and makes for a good alternative to beef in terms of cooking red meat. 

Dairy Goat Breeds

Alpine

Alpine goats are a highly productive dairy goat breed that are known for their good milk production and friendly, docile temperament. They are also hardy and adaptable, making them well suited to outdoor living on small or large homesteads. Alpine goats are known for their large udders as well. 

Size (Height and Weight)

Alpine goats are medium to large-sized goats. 

Alpine	Males	Females
Height	30 – 39 inches (76 – 99 cm)	28 – 32 inches (71 – 81 cm)
Weight	175 – 225 pounds (80 – 102kg)	135 – 165 pounds (60 – 75kg)

Nubian

Nubians are another popular dairy goat breed that are known for their high milk production and their rich, creamy milk with a high butterfat content. They are friendly and outgoing, making them a good choice for homesteads. Nubian goats are also recognized for their long floppy ears.

Size (Height and Weight)

Nubians are a large breed of domestic goat.

Nubian	Males	Females
Height	30 – 36 inches (76 – 91 cm)	28 – 34 inches (71 – 86cm)
Weight	175 – 225 pounds (80 – 102kg)	135 – 165 pounds (60 – 75kg)

LaMancha

LaManchas are a dairy breed that are known for their high milk production and their sweet, gentle temperament. They are also hardy and adaptable, making them well suited to outdoor living. LaMancha milk has a creamy and sweet flavor. In addition, LaMancha goats have characteristically “elf-like” ears

Size (Height and Weight)

LaMancha goats are a medium sized breed.

LaMancha	Males	Females
Height	26 – 32 inches (66 – 81 cm)	24 – 30 inches (61 – 76 cm)
Weight	140 – 200 pounds (64 – 91 kg)	100 – 150 pounds (45 – 68 kg)

Oberhasli

Oberhasli goats are a dairy breed that are known for their good milk production and their friendly docile temperament. They are compact and hardy making them well suited to small homesteads. Their milk is sweet and nutty in flavor and have a good fat content for making cheese. They also have distinctive markings that are known as “swiss-style” markings.

Size (Height and Weight)

Oberhasli goats are a medium-sized breed.

Oberhasli	Males	Females
Height	26 – 30 inches (66 – 76 cm)	24 – 28 inches (61 – 71 cm)
Weight	140 – 165 pounds (64 – 75 kg)	100 – 135 pounds (45 – 61 kg)

Toggenburg

Toggenburg goats are another breed known for their high milk production, and high-quality milk. They are well-suited for small homesteads and outdoor living due to their medium stature. They have swiss-style markings and have strong well-muscled bodies. 

Size (Height and Weight)

Toggenburg goats are a medium-sized breed.

Toggenburg	Males	Females
Height	26 – 30 inches (66 – 76 cm)	24 – 28 inches (61 – 71 cm)
Weight	140 – 165 pounds (64 – 75 kg)	100 – 135 pounds (45 – 61 kg)

Meat Goat Breeds

Pygmy

Pygmies are a small, hardy goat breed that are known for their good meat production and their friendly curious nature. They are compact in size making them ideal for smaller homesteads, and they are considered to have fast growth rates. Pygmy goats have been known to become household pets due to their social personalities and easy-care requirements. 

Size (Height and Weight)

Pygmy goats are a small breed of goat. 

Pygmy	Males	Females
Height	20 – 22 inches (51 – 56 cm)	16 – 20 inches (41 – 51 cm)
Weight	60 – 100 pounds (27 – 45 kg)	50 – 85 pounds (23 – 39 kg)

Boer

Boer goats are a meat breed that are known for their fast growth and high-quality meat. These goats have well-proportioned bodies and are considered one of the best meat breeds. They are friendly and easy to handle making them a good choice for most homesteads. 

Size (Height and Weight)

Boer goats are a large breed of goat. 

Boer	Males	Females
Height	34 – 42 inches (86 – 107 cm)	28 – 36 inches (71 – 91 cm)
Weight	220 – 325 pounds (100 – 147 kg)	140 – 220 pounds (64 – 100 kg)

Kiko

Kiko goats are a hardy breed well suited for meat production due to the quality of their carcasses and high growth rate. They have an adaptable nature and are well suited to outdoor living. 

Size (Height and Weight)

Kiko goats are a medium sized breed.

Kiko	Males	Females
Height	28 – 36 inches (71 – 91 cm)	26 – 32 inches (66 – 81 cm)
Weight	150 – 225 pounds (68 – 102 kg)	100 – 150 pounds (45 – 68 kg)

Dual Purpose Goat Breeds

Spanish

Spanish goats are a versatile breed that are commonly used for both meat and dairy production. Their carcass has a strong meat to fat ratio. Spanish goats are also known for their quality of brush control due to their ability to climb small trees.

Size (Height and Weight)

Spanish goats are a medium sized breed. 

Spanish	Males	Females
Height	28 – 36 inches (71 – 91 cm)	26 – 32 inches (66 – 81 cm)
Weight	150 – 225 pounds (68 – 102 kg)	100 – 150 pounds (45 – 68 kg)

Tennessee or Myotonic 

Tennessee goats, also known as “fainting goats,” have a unique muscle disorder that causes them to “faint” or gall over when they are startled. They are friendly and hardy and produce both meat and dairy well. Tennessee goats are docile and have friendly personalities making them a fun choice for family pets as well.

Size (Height and Weight)

Tennessee goats are a small to medium sized goat breed.

Tennessee	Males	Females
Height	26 – 30 inches (66 – 76 cm)	22 – 26 inches (56 – 66 cm)
Weight	100 – 150 pounds (45 – 68 kg)	70 – 100 pounds (32 – 45 kg)

Common Questions About Goat Breeds

Are goats easy to care for and raise?

Goats are relatively easy to care for and raise, but like any other animal, they require proper attention, nutrition, and living conditions. Goats are social animals and do best when kept in a herd, therefore it is recommended to have at least two goats. They need access to fresh water and a balanced diet, and their living space should be clean, dry, and protected from the elements. Goats also need to be regularly vaccinated and checked for parasites. With proper care and attention, goats can make great pets or productive livestock. Caring and raising for goats is similar to caring and raising dogs. 

Are goats friendly and social animals?

In general, goats are friendly and social animals. Goats form strong bonds with other goats and their caretakers. They are often playful and interactive with their surroundings. However, goat personalities can vary and some goats may be more aloof, skittish or aggressive than others. Socializing goats from a young age and regularly handling them can help them become more friendly and trusting of humans. 

What is the lifespan of a goat?

The average lifespan of a goat is 8 to 12 years. Some goats may live longer with proper care, while others may live shorter due to disease or other factors.

How do you determine if a goat is purebred or a crossbreed?

The only true way to determine if a goat is purebred is to have a pedigree or a known lineage of the parents of that goat. Physical characteristics can also help determine breeding of a goat.  However, it is important to note that crossbred goats can be just as healthy and hardy as purebred goats. 

Other Articles on Goats

What are the Cons of Goats on my Homestead? (https://boonstead.com/what-are-the-cons-of-goats-on-my-homestead/)

How to Clear Land for a Homestead (https://boonstead.com/how-to-clear-land-for-a-homestead/)