Kalahari Red Goats

A recent addition to registered meat goat breeds is the Kalahari Red. This goat was originally selected from red coloured, lop-eared, indigenous goats with red colouration. As the animals began to show uniformity, it was given breed status.

The outstanding qualities of these goats - hardiness, colour, size and mother abilities were the reason for starting this breed. Breeders have selected and retained these unique qualities for the past 25 years. The Kalahari Reds were improved, and much emphasis was placed on carcass mass and growth rate.

Kalahari Red Buck bred by Mr Albi Horn, Hartebeeshoek Stud Farm, South Africa

Breed Genetics

The Kalahari Red is in no way related to any other South African goat. The breed was not selected from animals of any particular breed. Blood tests and genetic distance testing were conducted on the animals of some breeders by the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa to determine whether or not it was a separate breed. The test showed no relationship to other South African breeds. This was a condition stipulated for the breed to be registered.

Kalahari Reds can be used to give Australian goats a uniform, solid red colour, with all the unique advantages that this brings. Their earthy colour provides a good camouflage that protects them from predators. White kids would be seen easily by foxes pigs and eagles. They are fully pigmented, and therefore able to endure heat and strong sunshine. Their dark coats and long ears provide good heat resistance, and will, therefore, feed for longer during he heat of the day, which ultimately means higher weight gains.

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