How Much Do Boer Goats Weigh Using Weight Chart

Boer goats were developed and improved in the Republic of South Africa. Boers were first imported into the United States in about 1994 from Australia and New Zealand. and have a distinctive creamy-white body with a red head and neck.

Boer goats were developed for meat production and their name comes from the Afrikaans word for farmer. Boer goats are large, solid animals that do well in areas with hot summers and cold winters. Their size makes them easier to handle than other goat breeds, but they are also susceptible to parasites because of their size.

Physical Characteristics of A Boer Goat 

Boer goat is a breed of domestic goats, found in South Africa. These goats were developed in South Africa during the early 20th century for meat production. They are typically white in color with redheads, blaze and pigmented skin, drooping ears, long legs, and good conformation. The average wither height is reported to be 78 cm.

Boer goats have a characteristic and strikingly handsome appearance. The coat is white with brown heads; the ears are medium in size and match the head color, giving them perfect conformation. Their horns are straight and medium in size and curve to the back. Boer goats have small legs when compared to other large goat breeds, but they still fall under the category of a large breed. Their eyes are brown, and their coats are short. The mortality rate for Boer goats from birth to weaning is less than for other breeds.

Boer goats have a head and neck that are red or at least a portion of the neck. The remainder of their bodies is white. They have large, pendulous ears. Some Boer goat breeders have chosen to breed and promote solid-colored goats, but there is no scientific evidence that they have any unique advantage in productivity. A number of Boer goat associations currently exist in the United States, and each uses a set of standards related to appearance and function; those standards include characteristics that are acceptable and those that are not acceptable.

Docility, high fertility, and a fast growth rate are three of the characteristics that have enabled the Boer goat to become a leader in both commercial and purebred meat goat production. The redhead is one of the most recognizable features of this breed, and as such, buyers can select Boer bloodlines in goats with similar ages or genders. These animals will often command a premium over other colored goats of similar age and gender.

Due to its hardiness, the Boer goat breed is very popular in the United States. This hardiness allows the goat to withstand a wide range of temperatures and other environmental conditions.

Adaptability Of A Boer Goat

The Boer goat is capable of thriving in all climates of South Africa, including Mediterranean climates and tropical/sub-tropical bush areas. It can live in semi-desert regions of the Karoo and the great Kalahari. Boer goats are hardy, grazing on a wide variety of plants and in varying conditions, from harsh inland regions to Australian areas where only very extensive grazing can be practiced. They have low water turnover rates and low internal parasite infestation.

Boer goats are highly resistant to fatal diseases such as blue tongue, prussic acid poisoning, and enterotoxaemia (pulpy kidney). Because of their browsing habits, they are less likely to be affected by internal parasites. They tend to eat leaves and grass, making them less susceptible to Anaplasmosis ovis infection, the main cause of abortion in Boer goats.

Meat Production Of A Boer Goat

Boer goats are raised primarily for meat production; they have long been considered the best breed for this purpose. As a result of their intended use for meat production, Boer goats are raised in feedlots. Because of the conditions that they are bred and raised in, Boer goat’s average daily gains have been recorded to be around 0.44 pounds per day. This is much better than 0.3 or 0.4 pounds per day that other breeds of goat may experience. Boer goat meat is one of the most popular meats in the world.

In the Boer goat—a breed of dairy goat originating in South Africa—meat production usually makes up about 55 percent of the animal’s total body weight. For example, if a Boer goat weighs 100 kilograms (220 pounds)—sometimes more—about 55 kilograms (120 pounds) of that will be consumable meat. The rate of growth and body weight gain exhibited by Boer goats is quite different from that seen in other dairy goat breeds.

How Much Does A Boer Goat Weigh

Boer goat weights at one week old average between 6.8 and 9.1 pounds—with a weight of 8.5 pounds being typical. Boer goats typically gain between 0.7 and 1 pound each day during the first three months, with a growth rate of 1.20 to 1.75 pounds per day by six months of age.

Adult Boer goats, over 1 year old, weigh anywhere from 230 pounds to 450 pounds, with does weighing about 20% less than bucks on average. Mature Boer goat weights at one year old are in the range of 120 to 125 pounds for does and 130 to 140 pounds for bucks. The amount that Boer goats weigh can vary significantly depending on how old they are, whether or not they have had kids, their health status, and how much food they get.

Boer Goat Weight Chart

This Boer Goat Weight Chart is intended to be used as a guide. Your own goat’s weight will vary depending on a variety of factors, including:

• The quality of food they’re receiving
• Their level of exercise
• Whether or not they’re pregnant
• Their age and general health

Age	Weight Of Male (lbs.)	Weight Of Female (lbs).
At the time of Birth	7.5 – 8.5	6.5 – 7.5
3 Months	44 – 55	37.5 – 48
6 months	77 – 90	65 – 70
12 months	130 – 140	120 – 125
18 months	165 – 175	130 – 140
24  months	220 – 240	155 to 165

Advantages of Rearing Boer Goat

• The breeding and raising of Boer goats for meat is a profitable business.
• Boer goats are multi-purpose animals. They are used for meat production.
• The buck can also be used for crossbreeding purposes.
• It gives maximum returns as compared to other breeds in a limited period of time.
• The Boer goat is a very hardy breed with natural resistance to disease and adaptability to all kinds of climates.
• Boer goats have strong legs, good growth rates, early sexual maturity, and good mothering abilities.
• Boer goat meat is a quality meat that is tasty and healthy.
• Boer goat kids grow very fast and reach a mature weight when they are 6 months old.
• The breed has the ability to give multiple births with about 55% twins and 20% triplets record.
• Boer Goat is one of the most Expensive Goat breeds worldwide. It comes in the categories of Exotic breeds except for Africa.

Disadvantages of Rearing Boer Goat

• In some countries, it is difficult to get Boer goat breeders, so you need to import the breed from another country or buy from available breeders.
• The cost of buying a Boer goat may be high especially if you want to buy a purebred Boer goat

Boer Goats Prices

The cost of a Boer goat varies based on whether it is a purebred or full-blooded female, as well as its age. As of 2016, full-blooded females were selling for an average of $850 each, and wether (castrated males) were selling for an average of $400 each. Yearling females were selling for an average of $550 each, and yearling males were selling for an average of $250 each. Rare-colored purebred Boer goats can easily be $2,500 or more.

If you are looking for a larger breed of goat, then the price will be higher. If you are looking for a smaller breed of goat, then the price will be lower. Most people who buy Boer goats want to raise them as pets, so they purchase them at a young age and raise them until they grow up. They usually sell their older goats once they become too old to produce milk or meat anymore.

Final thoughts

Raising Boer goats for meat production is a good choice, as they are suitable for all types of climates. Many people in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom raise stud Boer goats as ornamental animals or use them in show competitions. Boer goats are friendly animals and they can be sold at auctions when they grow up.