Boer Goat Profits Guide

Raising Oberhasli Goats (2020): Ultimate Guide for Beginners

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Oberhasli goats have a handsome coloring, docile disposition, and excellent milk production. This breed is relatively new, only formally recognized in 1978, and is still fairly uncommon. Oberhasli goats are fast becoming a favorite among dairy goat farmers and breeders, pet owners, and even as working goats.

Oberhasli Goat Origin

Oberhasli Goat Uses

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They are also quite strong for their size, making them excellent pack animals, who are not afraid of water. And their distinctive coats make them appealing as pets and for show animals. They are friendly and calm, and do not easily startle, which makes them easy to live with in a variety of situations. Their thick coats and Swiss origins make them hardy in cold climates. It’s easy to see why the Oberhasli has become such a desirable goat.

Oberhasli Goat Characteristics

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Raising Oberhasli Goats

Breeding Oberhasli Goats

While a doe can come into heat as early as 5 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:

  • checkTail flagging
  • checkSigns of mucous or discharge
  • checkSwollen rear end
  • checkMore pronounced or unusual yelling or bleating
  • checkAnd, obviously, if she is exposed to a buck, she will usually show greater interest in him

When breeding Oberhasli goats, there are a few factors to consider:

  • checkYou want the doe to breed, so that she will kid and produce milk.
  • checkYou want to know for sure whether or not she has been bred, so that you can be attentive to her special nutritional needs during pregnancy.
  • checkYou don’t want her to mate more than once, because this can sometimes make the milk taste off.
  • checkIt is preferable to have your Oberhaslis kidding at the same time, so that, in the case of multiple births or other challenges, you have enough nursing does to provide excess milk and perhaps to foster kids.
  • checkThe quality of the sire determines the quality of the kids. A high-quality sire produces kids that are healthy, fast-growing, and true to the breed.
  • checkOberhaslis are still an uncommon breed that is low in numbers. Breeding pure Oberhaslis can be a good source of profit for your goat farm.

Owning a sire

Keeping an Oberhasli buck of your own can be a challenge, as he requires a separate (and very sturdy) enclosure to keep him from breeding when unwanted.

 Keeping your own buck ensures that you can breed your does right when they are ready, and allowing him access to the does may bring them into heat. But buying and raising a purebred Oberhasli buck can be an expensive year-round investment, if all that’s needed is to freshen your does.

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Oberhasli Goat Farming

The Oberhasli goat is a dairy breed, meaning they’re most famous for their milk. They’re native to Switzerland and are formerly known as the Swiss Alpine. Oberhasli goats made their way to the US in the early 1900s, yet there isn’t a whole lot of them running around.

This breed is rather average in size, and the color of their fur is referred to as Chamoisee. The does are depended upon to produce high-quality milk. Some farmers even use the Oberhasli as packing animals due to their size and ability to overcome obstacles.

Raising Oberhasli Goats: Pros & Cons

Oberhasli goats care: Top tips

The University of Missouri

  • Oberhasli goats thrive if they’re getting enough hay, greens, and other nutritious food. The The University of Missouri has compiled a helpful guide detailed with instructions on how to feed your dairy goat.

American Dairy Goat Association

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  • This breed is the perfect choice if you’re looking into breeding. Their excellent mothers and breed through late August to early January. According to the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA), they can also be tricked into thinking the short-day season has begun.
  • The Oberhasli should be kept in a ventilated space that’s dry and clean.
  • If you rotate your pasture, you’ll minimize the risk of spreading pests and infections.

Oberhasli goats for sale: Where can I buy Oberhasli goats in the USA?

Oberhasli goats aren’t the most common breed, and they can be hard to find. Some people have even run into cons and receive a different breed than what they ordered. To avoid this, here’s a couple of places where you can get an Oberhasli goat in the US.

Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery – if you’re buying from out of state, you may have to cover the cost of transportation, and provide your own.

Redwood Hill Farm

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

Oberhasli goat milk production: How much milk do they produce?

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Wide Open Pets states Oberhasli goats produce between ½ and 1-½ gallons of milk a day with a butterfat content ranging from 3.5% to 4%. Per the lactation period, Oberhasli Does can produce 2000 Liters of milk.

  • Oberhasli goat FAQs

What kinds of colors do Oberhasli goats come in?

Oberhasli goats are distinguishable by their black muzzle, belly, legs, and dorsal stripe, a pattern known as Chamoisee. The rest of their beautiful coat may be light to dark red and brown, and bucks can be all black.

How much milk does an Oberhasli goat produce?

Oberhasli goats can produce 1/2 to 1 1/2 gallons of 3.5% and 4% butterfat milk per day.

How much room do Oberhasli goats need to live?

As they are active and agile animals, you’ll need an outdoor area of at least 25 square feet for each goat and an additional 15 square feet for bedding per goat. Goats are herding animals so you’ll need to calculate for multiple animals.

American Oberhasli Goats At Play 

Conclusion

Oberhasli goats give good quantities of delicious milk, and are very desirable dairy goats. But their handsome coloring and distinctive looks also make them appealing pets and show animals. And the fact that they can be trained as pack goats adds a special dimension to the many uses of this special breed of goat.