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what is the best age to slaughter a goat

by Alysson Hackett Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Kids (goats under a year of age) are often slaughtered when 3 to 5 months of age and weighing from 25 to 50 pounds. Kids do not store much body fat until they are about a year old. Many goats are older than a year and heavier when marketed, but most, except aged cull goats, are slaughtered when less than a year of age.Aug 6, 2013

Full Answer

What age should meat goats be butchered?

To give you a ballpark figure, your goat should be butchering ready at about 8-10 months of age. The specific age will be determined by the genetics of the goat and the way you raised him. The 8-10 months figure is for a market goat. If you are looking for a smaller goat, more like a roaster, then your goat will be ready sooner.

What is the best cut of goat?

  • Main cuts: Neck chops, Neck rosette, Neck fillet roast.
  • Main cuts: Bone-in shoulder, Easy carve shoulder, Forequarter rack, Forequarter chop.
  • Main cuts: Rack, Cultets.
  • Main cuts: Loin chops, Eye of loin, Tenderloin.
  • Main cuts: Leg bone-in, Easy carve leg, Leg (boned), Mini roast, Leg steak.

What age do goats reach full size?

Most goats do not reach their full size until they are about three years of age. (They keep growing for about three years) You can estimate a goat's age by looking at their 8 lower front teeth. Goats have no upper front teeth (unlike our logo), they have just one big gum on top in the front. This is not an exact way to tell their age.

What age can goats be slaughtered?

Three-fourths of all the goats in the world are located in the developing regions of the world. Kids (goats under a year of age) are often slaughtered when 3 to 5 months of age and weighing from 25 to 50 pounds. Kids do not store much body fat until they are about a year old.

How old are goats when slaughtered?

How long can you freeze goat meat?

What are Angora goats used for?

Why do goats stew?

What are the different types of goats?

Why do goats need antibiotics?

What was the first animal to be domesticated?

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How long do you age goat meat?

Besides the loss of weight, in short, dry aging breaks down meat in a natural way over a period of time (generally at least 30 days), causing it to become more tender and develop additional, complimentary flavors.

How long do you hang a goat before butchering?

24 hoursAfter skinning, you will want to hang the carcass for 24 hours before butchering it the rest of the way.

Which is the best goat for meat?

Boer is the best goat breed for meat. Boer goats were first developed in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. The indigenous goats of Africa were crossed with imported Nubian and Indian goats to produce Boer. These goats are hardy with a great capacity for adaptation.

What do you feed goats before butchering?

Choose a quality brand of feed grain that is specially designed for meat goats. Ensure that the feed has a high percentage of protein -- at least 14 percent. Start your meat goats' diet from day one. Give kids a proper balance of nutrients to ensure top meat quality when they become adults.

Where is the best place to shoot a goat?

To position the captive bolt or gun, select a site in the middle just behind the bony ridge between the horns, and aim towards the back of the throat (as for horned sheep). After shooting the brain with a captive bolt, the animal should be bled out immediately to ensure death.

Should goats be locked up at night?

Keep Your Goats Locked up in the Barn In the presence of many predators in your neighborhood, keeping your goats locked up at night is safer and reduces losses. Some goats may hesitate, but you can lure them in with some hay inside the pen.

What goat tastes the best?

What Goat Breeds Are Best for Meat?Boer Goat.Kiko Goat.Myotonic Goat (Fainting Goat)Nubian Goat.Rangeland Goat.Savanna Goat.Texmaster Goat.Pygmy Goat.

Is it worth it to raise goats for meat?

The demand for goat meat has increased by 150% since 2002 and has continued rising. At this rate, raising meat goats is profitable, but it can also be a good source of meat for you and your family.

What's the most expensive goat?

The owner of Australia's most expensive goat has described his new acquisition as a “very stylish buck”. Andrew Mosely knew he would have to break the $12,000 Australian record to buy Marrakesh, a goat that went on sale in the western New South Wales town of Cobar on Wednesday.

What is the best grain for goats?

One cup of grain is sufficient for adult goats, while ½ cup of grain is ideal for kids (baby goats). However, pregnant goats and those kept for milking can eat up to 2 cups a day, as they need the extra protein and fat. The best type of grain to feed goats is wheat, barley, and oats.

What is a good grain mix for goats?

The outcome is a mix of 4 parts alfalfa pellets, 3 parts barley, 3 parts oats, 1 part feed broad beans, 1 part carob and 2% sunflower seeds (then latter can be done by estimation).

How do you humanely butcher a goat?

Slaughter gently but firmly by holding animal's head back, and in a quick, single cut move across animal's throat just below the jawbone, cutting the wind- pipe, esophagus, arteries and veins forward of the neckbone.

How do you humanely butcher a goat?

Slaughter gently but firmly by holding animal's head back, and in a quick, single cut move across animal's throat just below the jawbone, cutting the wind- pipe, esophagus, arteries and veins forward of the neckbone.

How do you butcher a live goat?

Goat Butchery for Beginners… into this …. ... You kill the goat by slitting it's throat, but for kindness sake you'll want to render it unconscious with a blow to the head. ... Save the blood. ... Cut around the skin of the back legs, then slit it downwards. ... Cut around the anus, leaving it intact, and remove the genitals.More items...

How much meat does a goat yield?

A goat may produce 18 kg (40 lb) of meat, which is much less than that of cattle or pigs, often making goats unsuitable for modern meat processors.

Are wether goats good eating?

While a wether goat is male, and therefore incapable of producing milk, you can still have one for the purpose of meat. Wether goats are good for slaughter and you don't have to worry about their behavior before it is time to harvest their meat.

How old is too old to butcher? | The Goat Spot Forum

My husband and I are just starting our venture into goating. We have two two and a half year old pygmys my husband would like to butcher but he's not sure what the quality of the meat will be like with them at this age. He has processed cattle, hogs, and deer but these will be our first goats...

How old is too old for a butcher goat? | Homesteading Forum

Does anybody know if a 2 year old Boer doe is too old to eat? I've got 3 goats, one is a ringleader, fence buster, all around trouble maker. I ponder trying to sell her or give her away, but I ponder eating her too. Is she too old? I'd rather sell her cheap to a good home.

Best age to butcher | The Goat Spot Forum

I will be butchering my wether later..he is one week old right now. I was wondering at what age you all butcher your goats. Hubby said he heard 6 months, but I would like the best meat possible..so what is a good age, or weight I guess to butcher?

when to butcher boer goats. | BackYardHerds - Goats, Horses, Sheep ...

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How old should a goat be to butcher?

Know the age of the goat. To give you a ballpark figure, your goat should be butchering ready at about 8-10 months of age. The specific age will be determined by the genetics of the goat and the way you raised him. The 8-10 months figure is for a market goat.

When is a goat ready to butcher?

Your goat is ready to butcher when it has reached 8-10 months of age and has muscling in the forearm and stifle. It can be a bit tricky to figure out when your goat has reached market size, it’s not just about weight or height, it’s about yield. Yield is the amount of meat per goat.

What to look for when evaluating goats?

Goat Muscling: What to look for. When evaluating your goats for their readiness to butcher you need to look at the muscling of the forearm and stifle and the overall appearance of the goat. Remember, you will be eating muscle, so more muscling on the goat means more meat in the freezer. Here’s a link to a Boer goat judges tips on ...

What is yield on a goat?

Yield is the amount of meat per goat. The catch here is that what a ready to butcher goat looks like will vary, depending upon breed. However, the places on the goat where you will be looking to evaluate muscling and market readiness will be the same, no matter the genetics of the individual. Looking for more information about getting started ...

How much does a goat weigh?

Weight of a market goat is 80 pounds. If you have been keeping track of the weight of the goat you’ll have a better idea of when it is ready to butcher. Most people will be shooting for 80-100 pounds for a market goat, keeping in mind that is an individual preference.

How often should I look at goats?

I’ll admit it can be hard to see growth in your goats, since you look at them at least twice a day when you feed them.

Do goats need to deworm?

If your goat has a heavy worm load, you’ll need to deworm first, otherwise you are just feeding the parasites!

How Long Does it Take to Raise a Goat for Slaughter?

Chevon is older goats, typically between 10 months and one year. Very rarely, goats are slaughtered up to the age of 16 months. This is because goats get very tough meat as they grow. Another reason goats are harvested young is because it is most common to harvest bucks, reserving does for breeding and milking purposes.

Why are goats slaughtered?

Very rarely, goats are slaughtered up to the age of 16 months. This is because goats get very tough meat as they grow. Another reason goats are harvested young is because it is most common to harvest bucks, reserving does for breeding and milking purposes.

What does a goat lacking muscling look like?

A goat lacking muscling will have a peak-roof shape at the shoulders and a deep saddleback. When you are picking out goat meat at the local butcher, look for thick muscling rather than marbling. Shanks should be substantial and meaty, not thin and narrow.

How to tell if a goat is good for harvest?

There are a few areas you will look at on a live goat to determine if it is a good choice for harvest. This is also the method 4-H and other organizations use to judge the quality of a goat. The first muscling to look for is the width of the rear hind quarters. A properly muscled goat will be wide and thick, not narrow.

Why is goat an apocalypse animal?

One of the reasons a goat is such a fantastic apocalypse animal is the broad variety of uses you can find. Nearly every part of the animal is useful for something. Waste not, want not, and maybe we can push the apocalypse off by a few centuries.

What does it mean when a buck goat is a wether?

For this reason, most young bucks are "wethers." A wether is simply a buck that was castrated at a young age. Think about that the next time you use the word "bellwether", which literally means the lead wether who wears a bell so the other goats or sheep follow.

What is goat muscling?

Goat Muscling: What to Look For. Unlike cows, goats build fat from the inside out and do not produce intramuscular fat. That means when you look at goat meat, it isn't going to have the marbling you are used to seeing. Instead, it's lean, bright red, and shows the grain well.

How old is a whitetail goat?

They just relish the exciting moment and later enjoy the venison. Their animal could be a two year old doe/buck or a six year old. The point is age doesn't necessarily spoil the meal but poor preparation might.

When should I butcher dairy kids?

The dairy kids I like to butcher at 3-5 months of age. Especially if they are intact because that gets them out of the way before their hormones start causing me problems as fall gets here. They go into a long lanky stage after that, so I'd just as soon butcher them early and not have as much in them for the amount of meat.

How old are deer when they go off their jaw?

With deer where I hunt they are usually 3-5 years old going off their lower jaw/teeth structure.

Can you butcher a buck?

Oh yes. In fact, he was breeding does a month before when he injured his back (which is the reason I butchered him). He also had sired many kids his first year. So he was certainly a breeder buck. Right now is about the best time to butcher a buck since they don't smell too bad and aren't in rutt.

Can goats hang?

No, I never let goat hang except for the short time it takes me to skin and gut it . The meat is excellent and doesn't need hanging the way beef does.

Can you freeze a pig's meat?

No. not a bit. But I was *extremely* careful not to let any dirt or hair touch the meat and i had it in the freezer asap so it cooled quickly.

How to breed goats for boers?

Goat breeding for Boers typically starts by buying the buck and does. Experts recommend that first-time breeders start with a ratio of 1 buck for about 20 to 30 does.#N#The quality of kids depends on a large part on the buck. This is the reason why champion bucks can cost several hundreds of dollars. When looking at bucks you’re thinking of buying, check thoroughly before making a big investment. Make sure that the buck is not overweight. They need to visit all of the does, and that involves a lot of walking. Fat can also restrict the testicles and make it harder to produce sperm.#N#Does also need to be healthy to produce good offspring. If possible, choose one that has produced kids before. Check the records of the breeder to make sure that they can produce and support multiple kids.

Why do goats breed so early?

Instead of age, breeders recommended monitoring the weight of the goats to make sure that they are ready. Goat breeding too early can stunt the growth of the does. This can also cause problems such as dysocia, which is when the kid cannot get out due to a small birth canal.

What is the best way to raise goats?

Breeding Goats. One of the essential things to master when raising or farming goats is breeding. The goats need to be healthy so that they can reproduce properly. Most breeds also have a set goat breeding age. Most kinds of goats have a specific age when they reach puberty and when they can mate. First time breeders are encouraged ...

How much does a boer goat weigh?

Since Boer goats tend to put weight on more quickly than other breeds, it is considered a better guide to breed by weight than by age. Bucks reach a weight of 32 kg as early as 3 to 6 months; this is considered puberty.

How old do boer dos have to be to breed?

Boer does can be bred at 6 months. However, breeding the does before they reach the proper weight (generally around 80 pounds) can stunt their growth and lead to reproductive problems. A common age for breeding is between 10 and 12 months. Having does reproduce too early can lead to pregnancy or birth difficulties.

What do breeders keep?

Good breeders typically keep good records of the lineage and reproductive records of breeding stock which helps you know what to expect when you bring the animals home.

How long before breeding season do you need to flushing?

This process increases the chances that the does can create multiple offspring. Flushing involves feeding the does the best pasture around 4 weeks before breeding season. This conditions their bodies to handle multiple offspring and increases ovulation rates.

How to butcher a goat?

1. Have a strong grip on the goat before butchering. Do not try to butcher a goat alone. You need at least two more people to help you, at least while slaughtering. Lay the goat down and ask your fellows to tightly hold the goat's limbs. You should hold the butchering knife very tightly with one hand, while the other hand can be used to hold ...

How to remove goat skin?

Removing the skin of the goat cleanly is one of the trickiest things. 3. Cutting . Once the skin is removed, place the goat on a clean non-porous surface and start to chop it up. Remove both the shoulder joints and the front limbs of the goat, cutting the shoulder behind the shoulder blade. Cut the legs through a sharp blow at the knee joints.

How to restrict goat movement?

Slaughter. Before you slaughter the goat, make sure that the knife you are going to use is extremely sharp. Otherwise, it may turn out to be a painful procedure for the goat. Begin the butchering process by removing the head of the goat.

Can you butcher meat at home?

However, if you can butcher an animal at home, you can fill your freezer without having to spend too much. You will have to spend some money once if you have to buy an animal, but this will save you a lot of money in the long run.

How old are goats when slaughtered?

At 3 to 5 months of age and weighing 25 to 50 pounds, children (goats under one year of age) are often slaughtered. When they are around a year old, children do not store a lot of body fat. Many goats are older than a year and heavier when marketed, ...

How long can you freeze goat meat?

Freezing meat in its original packaging is healthy. When freezing for longer than 2 months, overwrap some food for long-term storage like you would. Ground or cubed goat meat can stay in the freezer for 4 months to preserve its best quality.

What are Angora goats used for?

Angora goats, which were mainly raised for their wool, were used to make fabric. Meat is often used by surplus males and cull goats. In the Southwestern States, especially in Texas, the Spanish and Angora goats are growing in numbers.

Why do goats stew?

Because of its relative hardness, the meat of adult goats is almost always subject to stewing, but it is flavorful and tender in stews.

What are the different types of goats?

There are three distinct goat types in the U.S.: Dairy goats, bred for milk primarily; Spanish or Mexican goats, made on a variety of open rangelands, for meat; A newly introduced breed of South African Boer goats, which can adapt to different climates and can rebreed while still nursing; and.

Why do goats need antibiotics?

This is because residues have ample time to leave the environment of the animal.

What was the first animal to be domesticated?

It is believed that one of the first domesticated animals was the goat. Cave art from 10,000 to 20,000 years ago shows that goats were then popular and significant. In several North African and Middle Eastern nations, goats currently provide the main source of animal protein.

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1.Raising Goats: How Do You Know When To Butcher A Goat?

Url:https://familyfarmlivestock.com/raising-goats-how-do-you-know-when-to-butcher-a-goat/

36 hours ago  · Kids (goats under a year of age) are often slaughtered when 3 to 5 months of age and weighing from 25 to 50 pounds. Kids do not store much body fat until they are about a year …

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Url:https://beardedbutchers.com/blogs/news/ultimate-guide-how-to-butcher-a-goat/

30 hours ago Cabrito is very young goat, between one and two months old. Chevon is older goats, typically between 10 months and one year. Very rarely, goats are slaughtered up to the age of 16 …

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Url:https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/threads/how-old-is-too-old-for-a-butcher-goat.190237/

30 hours ago  · What is the best age to kill a goat? Sheep and goats may be killed anytime after six weeks, but the more desirable age is from six to 12 months. All meat animal carcasses are …

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Url:https://www.boergoatprofitsguide.com/goat-breeding-age-whats-the-best-age/

8 hours ago  · Your goat is ready to butcher when it has reached 8-10 months of age and has muscling in the forearm and stifle. It can be a bit tricky to figure out when your goat has …

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Url:https://www.stepbystep.com/how-to-butcher-a-goat-at-home-34414/

16 hours ago  · 7 does - 2 bucks - 1 wether. Joined Oct 20, 2011. 10,704 Posts. #9 · Jun 27, 2013. Had a 1 year old done, very good. My general plan is to harvest at 6 to 8 months, so we don't …

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