Goat Breeds and their Behavioural Strategies

Department of Biology, Cantonment Public College, Saidpur Cantonment―5311, Nilphamari, Bangladesh

*Corresponding author: Ashraful Kabir, Department of Biology, Cantonment Public School and College, Saidpur Cantonment—5311, Nilphamari, Bangladesh, Phone: +88-01712563750; E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: March 04, 2025

Published Date: March 20, 2025

Citation: Kabir A. (2025). Goat Breeds and their Behavioural Strategies. Mathews J Vet Sci. 9(3):71.

Copyrights: Kabir A. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

After cows, the farming of goats has an economic importance in the country. Several years observation on some behaviours of goats in Rajshahi and Saidpur of Bangladesh provided sufficient information to complete this write-up. Additionally, oral communication with some renowned goat breeders fulfilled the criteria of this work. Results suggested that after cows, the profit of goat farming is noteworthy. Its external growth performance and milk yielding were found remarkable. To maintain an ideal farm in order to get sufficient profit, need to understand goats’ behaviour.

Keywords: Goat, Behaviour, Feeding, Grazing, Agonistic, Cognitive, Reproduction.

INTRODUCTION

Goats have domesticated about 10000 years ago, and there are more than 200 domestic goat breeds in the world (Plate 1). The behaviour is important criterion in evaluating animal welfare [1-3] (Table 1). Studies on animal temperament determine the breeding efforts [4]. Goats sneezing sound acts as an alarm in their community. Goats’ horizontal pupil allows them a wider field of vision and help them for identifying their predators. The selection in goats for economic purpose has got significance than other ancestors [5]. Nervous and endocrine system plays an important role in behaviour [5]. Hormonal activity is important to graze goats [6]. Physiological condition such as lactation and pregnancy are also their influential factors [7]. It is urgent to get profit should know the overall behaviour of goats [5]. The objective of this short review is to focus some significant behaviour of goats in order to handle them in farms.

SIGNIFICANT BEHAVIOUR OF GOATS

Feeding behaviour: Goat ingest feed more rapidly than sheep; their grazing period takes longer than sheep [8]. According to the variety of goats, their demand of water and feed are different. Water intake in goats increased at environmental temperature, pregnancy, and lactation as well [9]. Homosexuality is found in goats [10]. Due to herbivorous animal, goats eat sprouts, buds, and mostly leaves of the branches [11].

Grazing behaviour: The reason is that goats are excessively selective and mobile while grazing [12]. The grazing pattern depends on the availability of feed. The size of social group, age, and number also influence this behaviour [5].

Agonistic behaviour: Agonistic behaviour of goat was observed 50% higher in males, and females have no horns or weak horns [2].

Cognitive behaviour: Like other domestic animals, goats have cognitive behaviour and a significant example to perform in the circus team. Since both wild and domestic animals are not allowed in circus team [13,14].

Plate 1. A crossbred goat in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Table 1. Some significant goat breeds with their features

Goats are significant animal with meat first, then hide and milk. This is an intelligent and curious animal. Goats are available in Bangladesh either rural or urban areas. It has numerous varieties and colours. Its flesh (mutton) is delicious, and skin is a remarkable export item. Goat farming is increasing in the country. Before starting a goat farm, at first, need to know their biological activities especially grazing, feeding, and reproductive behaviours.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

None.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The author declares that there is no financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced this work.

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