GENERAL INFORMATION

The domestic goat can be traced historically to the wild goats of Asia, capra aegagrus, and capra falconeri. The goat was probably one of the first animals to be domesticated in Asia, almost 9000 years ago. Domestic goats are raised for dairy, meat, and fiber production.

DESCRIPTION

The angora goat is an attractive all-white goat with ringlets of soft, fine hair. They are creatures which have permanent horns, rather than horns that are shed. Generally, horns are wide-set, and on bucks, spiral outward and back. Goats' feet are adapted to heights and rough terrain. The hooves are small, able to draw close together and balance on tiny areas. The hooves grow continuously, therefore in domestic situations, must be trimmed as necessary. Goats have the ability to stand on their hind legs and perform intricate steps in order to strip off the top branches of greenery.

HISTORY

The Angora goat has been bred primarily for its fleece, called mohair, which is much in demand in the quality textile field. It should not be confused with angora wool, which comes from Angora rabbits. A typical Angora goat produces around six pounds of mohair per year. Angoras are primarily browsing animals, thriving best where there is a good cover of brush, weeds, and grass and are often used for biological control of brush and weeds in range improvement programs. These goats are adapted to a dry, mild climate and also adapt easily to grazing with other classes of livestock. They dislike rain, especially cold rain, and need particular care and attention within the first six weeks after shearing to protect them from the elements. Angora goats breed once a year. Does come into season in the fall and kid in the spring.

Angora goats are believed to have originated in the Himalaya Mountains of Asia. They found their way to Turkey, where the name Angora was taken from Ankara, the name of the province where the goats were first bred. Angora goats were introduced into South Africa in 1838 and brought to the United States in 1848. The flock imported into the states consisted of seven does (females) and two bucks (males). This importation began the U.S. mohair production. This country is now the second largest mohair producing nation in the world with annual production more than thirteen million pounds. The main mohair producing region in this country is Texas, with a herd of 1,800,000 goats. Southwestern Texas is the best area due to the mild, dry climate and hilly, brushy terrain that is so well suited for Angora goats. There are several allied organizations which work in cooperation with mohair producers in the United States. The American Angora Goat Breeders Association maintains the Angora breeding registry for the U.S. The registry was established in 1 900 and has been strictly maintained for the last 85 years. Breeding registered Angora goats is a detailed business and requires accurate records on breeding and kidding dates, sires, and dams. Due to efforts such as this by the AAGBA, the pure breed characteristics of the Angora goat have been maintained.

MEET OUR ANGORA GOATS

The Nature Center has two Angora goats, both are females. "Sweetheart" was donated by a breeder from Sapphire Valley, North Carolina in March, 1988. In April, 1989, "Sweetheart" became the mother of "Valentine". Sweetheart and Valentine both live on the Nature Center's educational farm. The diet for our goats consists of hay and sweetfeed, which is a mixture of grains, molasses, and other nutrients. A salt block is included to provide them with other valuable minerals.

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©2002 WNC Nature Center