Raising Kiko Goats: Ultimate Guide for Beginners

“Kiko” means “meat” in Maori (a native language in New Zealand), and the Kiko goats are exceptional meat goats.

They produce vigorous, fast-growing kids that reliably raise to weaning due to excellent maternal instincts, and require little producer input, supplemental feed, or medical care.

These goats have quickly become a star of American meat goat production, due to their many fine qualities.

Kiko Goat Origin

Kiko goats were developed in New Zealand in the late 1970s. New Zealand ranchers set out to create a  breed of goat that could mature quickly, produce large carcasses, and require little care.

They bred thousands of feral goats with imported dairy goats, and reserved the fastest-growing, most disease- and parasite-resistant, meatiest goats, generation after generation. They provided the goats with no supplemental feed, shelter, hoof trimming, or veterinary care, and no assistance with kidding, and allowed only a select few to breed every new generation.

By 1986, the toughest survivors emerged as the recognized Kiko goat breed, originally imported to the United States in the 1990s. Kikos have excellent maternal instincts, fewer medical problems, high carcass yields, and require little producer input.

Kikos have no defined breed standards and no official goat shows, due to the high preference for breeding them for commercial performance and production. For this reason, the American Kiko Goat Association has a DNA testing program to verify Kiko parentage, rather than relying on visible

Kiko Goat Uses

As the name implies, Kiko goats are meat goats. They actually produce more pounds of kid per doe at weaning than the famous Boer goats, although they are still somewhat less in demand.

While Kikos are primarily meat goats, many people find that the can easily be milked and produce delicious milk. And they are excellent foragers, often used to clean underbrush in fire-prone wilderness areas.

Long-term use of Kikos in pastures improves the quality of grazing for sheep and cattle, by removing invasive plants and weeds, leaving more space, water, and soil nutrients for grass.

Kiko Goat Characteristics

Kikos tend to do best in the southeastern United States, where the climate is closer their native New Zealand.

While Kikos are bred for commercial performance and their ability to put on substantial weight in natural conditions, rather than specifics of appearance or behavior, there are several common attributes of the breed:

Appearance

Kikos are generally white, although colored Kiko goats can be registered, and usually they grow a long, flowing coat in cold climates. Bucks have substantial, sweeping horns with a gentle twist.

Size

Kiko bucks weigh 250-300 pounds, while does weigh 100-150 pounds. They have a medium frame and compact, muscular bodies.

Production

While Kiko kids are born an average size, they gain weight and size very quickly with little or no supplemental food. Under natural conditions, kids gain an average of 300+ grams per day, reaching market weight earlier than other breeds.

Disposition

Kikos have been bred to thrive with little human intervention. While many people do keep them as pets and socialize them, they have not been cultivated for sociability or ease of handling.

As a Dairy Goat​

Kiko does can be milked and will produce a good quantity of milk. As meat goats, they only produce milk for a 5 month lactation period per kidding, and it is typically lower in butterfat than the milk of dairy goats, but many people have found them to be surprisingly easy milk producers among meat goats.

Kiko Goat Price

Kikos are still somewhat overshadowed by Boers in the meat goat marketplace, but this breed is rapidly increasing in popularity due to its ease of management and durability.

Prices range from $300 for a commercial doe to up to $1,500 for a registered, pedigreed buck. Many owners also invest in DNA testing of their Kikos, which costs $50 per test.

Kiko Goat Breeders

Kiko goat breeders can be found through associations like the International Kiko Goat Association, and the American Kiko Goat Association. 

Breeders can also be found through the National Kiko Registry, or through a simple google search.

Kiko goat breeders can be found through associations like the International Kiko Goat Association, and the American Kiko Goat Association. Breeders can also be found through the National Kiko Registry, or through a simple google search.

If you are investing in an expensive, pedigreed New Zealand Kiko goat, it is important to verify registration. A goat registered with the National Kiko Registry will be given an NKR registration number, in addition to a registration from the US Meat Goat Association, which focuses on Boer goats. When a goat is DNA tested, it will also be issued a VGL file number.

Note on DNA testing: DNA testing does not prove or verify the breed of goat. A VGL number does not demonstrate that a goat is 100% Kiko of New Zealand origin, for example. DNA testing only proves parentage.

If both the sire and dam have VGL numbers, it is possible to prove the parentage of a Kiko goat, which can be important when bucks are allowed to run with the herd. While many Kikos are DNA tested, it’s important to understand the purpose of DNA testing before investing in it.

Raising Kiko Goats

The biggest challenge in raising Kiko goats is that they have been bred to be resourceful, independent foragers.

Their ability to stand on their hind legs up to 6 feet in height, withstand difficult climate and terrain, and not rely on feedings for survival, can make them difficult to contain on a farm, and can sometimes make them difficult to handle.

Kiko goat social needs.

Like all goats, Kikos are herd animals and will not be healthy or happy when kept alone. If you only want or need one doe for personal milk consumption or as a pet, housing her with a wether, or even a farm dog, will help keep her happy and well-adjusted. 

Kiko goat medical needs.

Like all goats, Kikos may need periodic hoof trimming and deworming, although much less frequently than other breeds. If they are not handled often, hoof trimming these strong, independent goats can be quite a wrestling match. Find a local veterinarian who is familiar with goats, and learn to spot the early signs of parasites.

Kiko goat food needs.

Water. Goats should always have access to fresh, clean water. Kikos can drink up to 10 liters of water a day when producing milk.

Forage and feed. Kikos will happily browse on shrubs, weeds, herbs, and tree bark and leaves. Allowing them freedom of pasture also gives them the exercise they need to stay healthy and prevent health problems. Depending on the size of your pasture, the variety of plants available, and the season, alfalfa hay can and should be offered for free feeding. Purchase very high-quality hay for the healthiest goats and best quality milk.

​Alfalfa hay is high in calcium, which is essential when goats are kidding and producing milk. Alfalfa hay can be expensive, so some people supplement other high-quality hay with alfalfa pellets instead. Grain can be a good supplemental food when kidding or nursing, and hand-feeding grain often used to help domesticate these independent animals.

Supplements. Depending on the plants in your pasture, local soil composition, and nutritional composition of your hay, it is likely that your goats will need mineral supplements. If you are providing high-quality food, they may only require small amounts of trace minerals.

When free-fed, goats will only eat as much mineral supplements as they need. Use a mineral supplement designed for goats or cattle, and avoid supplements designed for sheep, because goats and cows require copper, which is toxic to sheep. You can also feed your Kiko goats fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen to add variety to their diet.

Kiko goat enclosure needs. Like all goats, Kikos are agile and ready jumpers. Kikos are also particularly strong and vigorous, which creates special challenges when fencing them, and they should be given ample space to roam and exercise to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your fencing. Remember that fences not only keep goats in, but should keep predators out.

Fences should be a minimum of 4 feet high, although some breeds and crossbreeds can jump well over heights of 4 feet, and 5 feet is safest. Goats will lean, stand, rub, and chew on fencing, particularly if they have smaller pasture, or if there seems to be attractive forage on the other side, so posts should be no further than 8 feet apart, and posts should be cemented into the ground to keep strong Kikos from pushing them over.

The best way to secure your Kikos is a goat wire fence with 4-inch openings too small for adults to put their heads through; goat wire is strong enough to withstand the chewing, leaning, and standing that the fence will endure.

Because goat wire fencing comes at 4 feet high, it is best to run one strand of electric fencing over the top of the wire fence to increase the overall height and deter jumping. Kikos will stand against the top of a fence if there is an attractive branch leaning near the edge, so the electrified strand will prevent this habit.

Kiko goat enclosure needs.

Like all goats, Kikos are agile and ready jumpers. Kikos are also particularly strong and vigorous, which creates special challenges when fencing them, and they should be given ample space to roam and exercise to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your fencing.

 Remember that fences not only keep goats in, but should keep predators out. Fences should be a minimum of 4 feet high, although some breeds and crossbreeds can jump well over heights of 4 feet, and 5 feet is safest.

Goats will lean, stand, rub, and chew on fencing, particularly if they have smaller pasture, or if there seems to be attractive forage on the other side, so posts should be no further than 8 feet apart, and posts should be cemented into the ground to keep strong Kikos from pushing them over.

The best way to secure your Kikos is a goat wire fence with 4-inch openings too small for adults to put their heads through; goat wire is strong enough to withstand the chewing, leaning, and standing that the fence will endure. Because goat wire fencing comes at 4 feet high, it is best to run one strand of electric fencing over the top of the wire fence to increase the overall height and deter jumping. Kikos will stand against the top of a fence if there is an attractive branch leaning near the edge, so the electrified strand will prevent this habit.

Kiko goat shelter needs.

All goats need shelter at night and in poor weather. Situate your shelter well away from your fence, so that goats aren’t able to jump from the roof of their shelter over the fence, and avoid situating the shelter on low ground that would accumulate rain. 

At minimum, the shelter can simply be a roof and three sides, so that goats can get out of bad weather.

It is better to have a dry dirt floor than a wood one; wood flooring can get slippery with mud or manure, and potentially injure a goat or cause foot problems.

Does will need additional shelter and protection when they have kidded, and to be separate from the herd so if you plan to breed your Kikos, you will need to create separate, warm, clean pens for does and kids.

Breeding Kiko Goats

There is a significant difference between the breeder of the American Kiko and the New Zealand breeders who originated Kiko goats.

American breeders tend to focus on market value of the goat at sale, and for that reason are very attentive to purebred status.

The Genemaster program has a methodical system for crossbreeding Boers with Kikos to improve the durability and disease resistance of Boers, and Americans are very focused on bloodlines.

The unusual attention to pedigree in Kikos and lack of determinate coat characteristics leads to widespread DNA testing, driving up the cost of purchasing Kiko goats. Due to the limitations of domestic goat meat marketing, there are actually very few Kikos in the United States being bred for their originally intended commercial purposes, and performing at full capacity.

If you are managing your Kiko goats for profit, it may yet be more profitable to cultivate the breed for purity and concentrate on selling your Kiko goats for parentage, rather than on cultivating your Kikos for production and selling them for meat.

Kiko does are polyestrous and will breed in all times of the year. After successful breeding, their gestation period is 155 days, and they often give birth to twins or triplets.

While a doe can come into heat as early as 4 months old, it is better to wait until she is at least 8 months old or 80 pounds to prevent kidding problems. When she is coming into heat, she will generally show signs with signature behaviors, such as:

• Tail flagging
• Signs of mucous or discharge
• Swollen rear end
• More pronounced or unusual yelling or bleating
• If she is exposed to a buck, she will usually show greater interest in him

The year-round breeding cycle of Kiko goats is a desirable trait when raising them for meat, to ensure that you have a steady supply of kids for market. Because Kikos are so independent and good at mothering, people often allow bucks to mingle with the herd freely, allowing them to breed with less oversight, scheduling, and regulation than with dairy goats. Kiko bucks will need to be kept from new mothers and small kids.

Kiko Goat Farming

The Kiko goat was created in 1980 by cross-breeding feral goats with imported dairy goats. They’re native to New Zealand and were imported in the US in 1992. Unlike pygmy goats, Kiko’s are primarily used for meat and dairy reproduction. They have strong maternal instincts and have fewer medical problems than most goat breeds.

Raising Kiko goats: Pros and Cons

Kiko goats are not the most ideal house pet. They’re considered a meat breed and are good for commercial use for their savory meat and nutritious milk.

• If you’re interested in harvesting your goats for meat, than Kiko’s are a top choice.
• They don’t require as much medical care as most goat breeds do.
• Kiko goats can adapt easily to different climates.
• Kiko goats have strong maternal instincts and are great for breeding.

• Kiko are known to be a little more on the wild side than other breeds.
• Kiko goats are naturally independent and can be hard to handle on a farm due to their size and strength.
• This particular breed is known to have common widespread diseases. You’ll need to make sure that you’re following the regulated disease prevention protocols to keep your farm safe.

Kiko Goats Care: Top tips

Boer Goat Profits Guide

• When you’re creating a home for your Kiko goat, it needs to be away from the fence and in a dry, cool place. It also needs to be substantial enough to protect them from harsh weather. According to the Boer Goat Profits Guide, if you plan on breeding, you should keep your does and kids separated in a warm environment.
• Kiko goats can drink up to 10 liters of water in a day. They need to have access to fresh water daily to ensure they stay hydrated and healthy.
• Kiko goats don’t require much as far as food and can get by on weeds, tree bark, and alfalfa hay.

Kiko Goats For Sale: Where can I buy Kiko goats in the USA?

Kiko goats are a popular meat breed in America. When you start looking for a place to buy them, check to see that the company/farm you choose follows the nationwide regulations to prevent the spread of parasites and that they’ve adhered to the strict disease testing rules.

Here are a couple of places that make their Kiko goats’ heath a top priority.

Lookout Point Ranch

• Lookout Point Ranch – they ship nationwide and to Canada.

Kopf Canyon Ranch

• Kopf Canyon Ranch – they ship to 48 participating states and Alaska.

You can also take a look at different Kiko goat associations to learn more about buying a goat locally.

Kiko goat associations: What are the major Kiko goat associations in the USA?

• The American Kiko Goat Association
• The International Kiko Goat Association
• The American Goat Federation
• The American Boer Goat Association

Kiko vs. Boer: What’s the difference?

Kiko Goat

Boer Goat

The Differences

First, Kiko goats are native to New Zealand, while Boer goats come from South Africa. Additionally, Kiko’s came to the United States in the late ’80s and Boer’s made it here in the early ’70s.

As for their physical appearance, Kiko goats are relatively large breeds and are primarily white, but they can come in many different colors. The Boer goat typically has a white body with a red/brownish head.

A Kiko buck can weigh up to 175 lbs, and the Does weight about 120 lbs. Conversely, a Boer buck can weigh anywhere between 140 lbs and 300 lbs, and the does can weigh between 190 lbs to 224 lbs.

In 2012, a study was done that compared Kiko, Boer, and Spanish meat goats. The purpose of this study was to determine how well each breed could survive without much care. By using a culling a process and natural illnesses, the results concluded that the Boers did not last as long as the Kiko and Spanish goats.

The Similarities

The most obvious similarity is that both Kiko and Boer goats are meat breeds.

Both breeds are the result of crossbreeding. As a result, they’re both one of the larger goat breeds.

Raising Kiko Goats at Lookout Point Ranch

Kiko Goats FAQ

What is a Kiko goat?

Kiko goats are a relatively new breed, only coming about in the 1980s in New Zeland as a cross between dairy breeds and the local feral goats. They were bred for their high survivability and low maintenance, needing little in the way of shelter, supplementary food, and birthing assistance. They are also parasite-resistant.

What are Kiko goats used for?

Kikos are mainly used as a source of food, their fast growth, and high fertility and reproduction rate making them ideal for meat production.

How Big do Kiko goats get?

Kikos tip the scale at 100 to 150 pounds for does and a whopping 250 to 300 pounds for bucks. This weight is mostly meat because of the Kiko goat’s ability to graze efficiently without overfeeding and gaining fat.

What to feed Kiko goats?

Kiko goats are low maintenance, needing no additional source of food than the pasture they’re in. They will survive under very harsh conditions, and will still grow rapidly in spite of food scarcity.

How much does a Kiko goat cost?

The cost of a Kiko goat depends on gender, size, age, and pedigree. You can expect a price range of anywhere between $300 for a standard commercially-bred doe to over $1500 for a buck with a pedigree.

How long do Kiko goats live?

Due to their hardiness, parasite and disease resistance, Kiko goats can live between eight to twelve years.

Kiko goat temperament

The Kiko goat is an aggressive forager and is best kept as a livestock and not a pet. They are very docile, but bold and vivacious.

Kiko goat colors – what are its dominant colors?

White is the dominant coat color of this breed although there are other different colors. Both male and female share the same color traits.

Are Kiko goats good milkers?

These goats were bred for meat and not milk so they are not a top dairy goat. But their milk is of good quality and sweet.

Kiko goats vs other breeds:

Kiko vs Boer goats

Kiko goat is a meat goat breed that originated in New Zealand while the Boer is a meat goat breed that originated in South Africa. Below are the differences between these two breeds.

BREED CHARACTERISTICS	SPANISH	KIKO
Breed Size	Medium to large	Large
Temperament	They are aggressive, hardy and bold	Gentle and docile
Climate adaptability	They are hardy and adaptable to any climate	Cell
Breed weight	Males weigh approximately 260 pounds Females weigh approximately 180 pounds	Males weigh between 240 and 295 pounds Females weigh between 200 and 220 pounds
Breed height	28 inches and 30 inches for doe and buck respectively	70 cm and 78 cm for doe and bucks respectively
Maturity age	Bucks mature between the age of 3 to15 months Does mature between the age of 5 to 15 months	Bucks mature between the age of 3 to15 months Does mature between the age of 5 to 15 months
Breeding age	Bucks can be bred at 12 months Does can be bred at 18 months	Bucks can be bred at 12 months Does can be bred at 18 months
Gestation period	Between 148 and 154 days	Between 148 and 152 days
Lactation period	Between 5 to 6 months	Between 4 to 6 months
kids	Can have twins or quads in one birthing	Often have twins

Kiko vs Spanish goats

Spanish goats are a meat goat breed that originated in Spain. They are mostly used in the production of meat but can also be used in milk production. Below are the characteristics of these two meat goat breeds.

BREED CHARACTERISTICS	KIKO	BOER
Size	Medium to large	large
Temperament	Active, agile and hard to handle	They are aggressive, hardy and bold
Ideal environment	Adaptive to many environments though wooden and bushy areas are the best	They need large pasture and space to roam and graze.
Breed height	80 cm and 90 cm for does and bucks respectively (at withers)	70 cm and 78 cm for doe and bucks respectively
Breed weight	Approximately 90 kg	Males weigh approximately 260 pounds Females weigh approximately 180 pounds
Gestation period	Around 5 months	Between 5 and 6 months
Lactation period	Between 250 and 284 days	Between 148 and 154 days
Puberty age	Does reach puberty between 4 months and 10 months	Does reach puberty between 4 months and 9 months
Breeding age	Bucks can be bred at 12 months Does can be bred at 18 months	Bucks can be bred at 12 months Does can be bred at 18 months
Main purpose	Meat and milk	Meat

Kiko cross breeds:

Kiko-Nigerian Dwarf cross

Kiko goats are bred with Nigerian dwarf goats so as to improve production of both milk and meat. Nigerian Dwarf goats are known to produce good quality milk. A Kiko Nigerian dwarf cross kid portrays excellence in improved meat quantity while still producing quality and sufficient milk.

Kiko-Pygmy cross

This cross is bred to improve both milk, meat and also be trained as a pet. The kid portrays improved meat production. The cross can be trained as a pet and used as a trainer in practices called goat yoga which are increasingly becoming popular.

Kiko-Alpine cross

Breeding Kiko with Alpine goats helps in value addition. Kiko goats are known to be parasite and disease resistant. Breeding Kiko with Alpine therefore means the kids will be parasite resistant goats. Alpine goats are known to be huge producers of good, quality milk. Breeding Kiko and Alpine goats therefore means the kids will portray good milking abilities thus improving performance of your herd.

Raising Kiko Goats Video

References:

• American Boer Goat Association
• American Kiko Goat Association
• Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association
• American Dairy Goat Association