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Considered red meat, chevon or cabrito, as it is referred to, is healthier in comparison to other meats, including chicken and even some fish varieties.


The Kiko goat breed was derived from feral stock, originally from New Zealand. Consequently, unlike other goat breeds, there is no common color or coat pattern with Kikos. Kiko goats are relatively new to the goat ranch scene in the United States, only recently imported as early as the mid-1990s. After a few months of research late one fall, I landed on the Kiko goat breed for a few strategic reasons.


Aside from the typical characteristics of meat goats, mentioned previously, first and foremost, generally, Kikos are remarkably hardy and require much less rancher input than some other meat goat breeds. They have superior maternal instincts, have prolific breeding habits, fewer foot/hoof problems or health issues, good udders, are aggressive foragers and have the ability to travel long distances for browse.


Living in Maine with harsh winters, wet springs and semi-humid summers, exceptional survivability instincts was also a leading factor in my decision-making process and a key ingredient for you to consider for your particular goat husbandry approach. Kikos also show greater parasite resistance where many other goat breeds may only show resilience, for example, to the barber pole worm or Haemonchus contortus. When every dollar counts to the success of your operation, resistance is much more important for long-term breed development and the overall health of your herd. Goats, which are resilient, may maintain their weight or even increase their body weight and remain individually healthy. However, these resilient goats pose a risk to the rest of the herd as they shed parasites in barns, stalls, pens and pastures, which may infect other members of the herd when picked up around the ranch.


Kathy and Josh Crise picked Kikos for their hardiness to withstand the brutal Maine winters. Like many who are embarking on


something new, exciting and maybe even a little overwhelming, I did a fair amount of reading and inquiring with local goat pro- ducers to better understand how to get started.


I likely touched on just a few high-level points, hopefully enough to get you started but leaving you with more questions to have answered or research to complete as you get started on your farm or ranch. I encourage you to check out the website I shared below to further explore Kiko goats.


Resources


For more detailed information on “Thinking Outside the Fence”, visit the Na- tional Kiko Registry (NKR) at nationalkiko- registry.com


Like many who are embarking on


something new, exciting and maybe even a little overwhelming, I did a fair amount of reading and inquiring with local goat producers to better understand how to get started. I have touched on just a few high- level points, hopefully enough to get you started but leaving you with more questions to have answered or research to complete as you get started on your farm or ranch. I encourage you to check out some of the websites I shared below to further explore Kiko goats.


(Josh and Kathy Crise, and their grown


children, Amelia and Kevin, operate Marble Creek Acres in Lee, Maine. For interest in a future year’s Kiko waitlist, questions or if you have topics you might like to read about in a future Goat Rancher, we can be reached at 207-619-3758, mainekikos@gmail.com or


May 2020 | Goat Rancher


25


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