Goats are popular livestock animals, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Two popular species are the Kalahari red vs Boer goats – they are both meat goats, but are vastly different.
If you would like to learn the differences between these two types of goats, including their basic information, appearances, and so much more, keep reading. We will cover everything you need to know, and hopefully help you make a decision on which one to get! Both of these animals have their own sets of pros and cons, so consider everything carefully before reaching your final decision.
With that being said, let’s jump into it.
Table of contents
Kalahari Red vs Boer Goat: Everything You Need to Know
We will split everything into categories, and have a summary table at the end to help keep things simple and organized. First we will cover all the basic information that you should be aware of, then go into more detail on some of the most important aspects of these animals.
Basic Information About These Goats
Below is all the basic information you will need to know about these two types of goats, including their country of origin, lifespans, sizes, and more.
Kalahari Goats
Scientific name – Capra aegagrus hircus
Country of origin – South Africa
Lifespan – 8–15 years
Size – 2.5 feet (30 inches) at the shoulder
Weight – 250 lbs (bucks) 165 lbs (does)
Coloring – reddish brown
What they are used for – meat goats
Characteristics
Kalahari red goats are known for their gentle and calm temperaments. They make excellent mothers, and are known to protect their kids well. These animals do well in all climates, despite their origin in South Africa. This means that they can thrive wherever they go, making them excellent options for anyone looking for high quality meat goats.
These goats are considered large, and can weigh up to 250 lbs (113 kg). While they are predominantly known as meat goats, they can also supply milk. We will talk more on the uses of this breed later on.
Dietary Needs
In terms of their diet, Kalahari red goats are very good foragers, and will consume a variety of grains, grass, and crops. They are known to wander far in search of food and water, too. As these animals are used to being in the harsh lands of South Africa, they are also well-equipped to deal with different terrains and arid climates.
Health and Reproduction
The gestation period for these goats is around 150 days. Females should have up to three kiddings every two years, and should give birth to two to three kids.
In terms of overall health, Kalahari red goats are very hardy, and resistant to disease, parasites, and pests. They generally have excellent health, and will thrive wherever they are. Compared to many other goat breeds, they require very little care and attention, and health is rarely an issue.
Boer Goats
Scientific name – Capra aegagrus hircus
Country of origin – South Africa
Lifespan – 8–12 years (bucks) 12–20 years (does)
Size – 2.5 feet (30 inches) at the shoulder
Weight – 350 lbs (bucks) 190–250 lbs (does)
Coloring – usually white with brown coloring on their heads
What they are used for – meat goats
Characteristics
Boer goats are the heaviest goats in the world, and can weigh up to an incredible 350 lbs (around 160 kg)! These animals are very docile and calm, which also makes them fantastic companion animals, even though this place is usually taken by smaller breeds such as the Pygmy and Nigerian dwarf goats.
They have thick, curved horns that grow backwards, and are very fast growers. The Boer goat does well in a variety of climates, and is the number one meat goat due to their large sizes and easy care. They are unproblematic, and can also supply milk, but more on that later.
Dietary Needs
Because of their size, these goats need a lot of food to keep themselves going. They also require a good amount of space to remain happy and healthy. These animals eat a lot of shrubs and leaves, as well as various kinds of brush, depending on where they are.
Not only that, but they are more than happy to eat things like fruit and vegetables, various kitchen scraps, hay and much more – they are not fussy eaters.
Health and Reproduction
Like many other goats, Boer goats should be kidded up to three times every two years. They will typically produce three kids, and will nurse them for three months. Their gestation period is roughly 150 days
In terms of overall health, Boer goats are typically seen as very healthy animals. They are usually hardy. However, they are at an increased risk of suffering from internal parasites when they are raised in very hot climates. For this reason, it would be better to not have these goats in temperatures that are too high.
It should be mentioned that these goats are frequently cross-bred with other popular breeds such as Osmanabadi, Kiko, Sirohi, Nubians, and Angoras. These other breeds are also excellent meat goats, and the offspring have all the sought-after features.
What Are These Goats Used for?
Every kind of goat has a use that they were bred for. Some are excellent show animals, while others are good for milk or meat. In the case of the Kalahari and Boer goats, both of these animals have been bred for their ability to be used as meat.
However, this doesn’t mean that they cannot have other uses, too!
Kalahari Goats
Meat
The primary purpose of the Kalahari red goats is their meat. These animals are known for their tender and lean meat. People typically praise the consistency and overall texture of this meat, making it a very popular goat meat option.
Can These Goats be Used for Milk?
While milk production is not their primary purpose, the Kalahari red goat can still produce milk that may be used. However, this is at a much smaller quantity than would be viable for widespread use. Their average daily milk production is between 1.5–2.5 liters. This milk has a fat content of anywhere between 5–9%.
The best goat breeds for milk include ones like the Alpine, Toggenburg, Oberhasli, and Saanen goats.
Boer Goats
Meat
The primary purpose of the Boer goats is meat. These goats will usually have juicy and tender meat with a mild and pleasant flavor. Because of their impressive size, they can supply farmers with a lot of meat, making them well-worth the money if you are interested in pursuing this direction.
Can These Goats be Used for Milk?
Surprisingly, Boer goats can be a good option for milk, due to the fact that they have milk yield ancestry. A Boer goat could supply up to 3 liters of milk every day – but this will depend on different factors. For the most part, you can expect the milk production of these goats to be somewhere between 1.5–2.5 liters of milk a day.
The milk produced by Boer goats is usually 6% fat. These animals will typically have a smaller milking window compared to other breeds, so this is another reason why they are not popular milk goats.
Appearance of These Goats
Let’s compare these two goats so that you can easily distinguish between them. They look entirely different, especially in the coloring, so it isn’t too difficult!
Kalahari Goats
Kalahari red goats are large, stocky animals with a distinct reddish brown coat coloring – hence their name. The shades of red can vary, but darker coloring is preferred. They have large floppy ears, and curved horns that grow backwards, close to their skulls.
At the shoulder, these goats will usually reach 2.5 feet, or around 30 inches. The bucks can weigh up to 250 lbs, making them an impressive size overall.
Boer Goats
Boer goats are known for their large, stocky appearance. In terms of color, they are almost always white, with a brown head and minimal other markings on them. They have curved horns that grow backwards, and large, floppy ears.
At the shoulder, these goats will usually reach 2.5 feet, or around 30 inches. However, their true splendor is in their weight, The bucks can weigh up to a massive 350 lbs, which highlights why they are such excellent meat goats.
Comparison Table
Below is a quick comparison if you are just looking for all the most basic information on these two goat breeds.
| GOAT BREED | PURPOSE | SIZE | APPEARANCE | EASY TO CARE FOR? | LIFESPAN | AGE OF SEXUAL MATURITY |
| Kalahari Red | Meat goat | Up to 250 lbs | Reddish brown | Yes, very few health issues and very hardy | 8–12 years | 6 months |
| Boer Goat | Meat goat | Up to 350 lbs | White, brown head | Yes, but can suffer from internal parasite sin very hot conditions | Up to 20 years | 5 months |
Video: Insights From An Actual Goat Farmer
In this 8 minute video, Kenny will share his experience with Boer Goats and Kalahari Goat. He started with a single pair and developed a business from there!
Final Thoughts
The Kalahari red and Boer goats are two very popular meat goat breeds. However, the Boer does take the win based on their size. The females can reach the same weight as a male Kalahari, and the bucks can reach 350 lbs.
It is worth noting, however, that the Boer goat can experience internal parasites when raised in very hot climates. The Kalahari red, on the other hand, is a more hardy type of goat that will thrive in any conditions you put it in. When considering Kalahari Red vs Boer Goats, you will likely value both of these meat goat breeds.
