COLORED ANGORA GOATS Angora goats are believed to have originated in the Himalayas of Asia and after migrating to Turkey they received their name from the Ankra region. Angoras were jealously guarded by the Turks and the raw fiber was not allowed to be exported until the 1830s, it was not long however until the animal itself was also allowed to leave. The fiber produced by the Angora goat is known as mohair and is from an Arabic word meaning "select" or "choice". This select fiber is long, strong warm and lustrous. Fleece weights increase with age and the fiber becomes coarser. Angoras are shorn twice per year as their fleece grows about 12 inches annually. Angora goats weigh 4 to 6 pounds at birth and 80 to 120 pounds when mature. The average life span seems to be 10 to 12 years. Colored angoras have various colors and patterns. The female goats (does) are bred at about 18 months of age with a 145 to 150 day gestation. The male goats (bucks) go into rut in the fall and carry a characteristic odor. Goats are seasonal breeders with their heat cycles occurring in the fall and the babies (kids) being born in the spring. Angora goats can be purchased from $50 for a wether (castrated male), or $150 and up for a doe or buck. ANGORAS IN COLORS?? Many people have never heard of colored angora goats and indeed they are not common. Colored angora goats have been raised in Southern California since only about 1989. Many are imports from the southwest where they have a longer history. In some areas the better known white angora was crossed with dairy goats to obtain color, and of course as little as some commercial and registered angora producers like it there is an occasional colored animal born to their flock.. Colored angora fleece differs from commercial mohair-----although some closely resembles classic mohair, other ranges to a more cashgora type. Upon inspection the fleece can be of the coarser, greasier type, but more typical is a finer essentially grease free wool. This means less work for the handspinner as the wool does not need to be washed prior to spinning. The wool will vary from slightly wavey to tight ringlets. REQUIREMENTS Angora goats are undemanding in their needs. A dogproof fence to contain them and exclude their greatest enemy----yes the family dog, yours or a neighbors is the biggest danger. Shade in the summer and of course since goats just know that they will melt, shelter from rain. Although goats are browsers and prefer shrubs, larger weeds and trees, they do quite nicely on a diet of hay with grain needed only by lactating does. As with all animals clean water should always be available. The addition of salt and minerals meets all their dietary needs. Goats are herd animals, and although a few have the demeanor to live alone, they really should have the companionship of another goat. Goats are naturally healthy, but should have basic health maintenance including routine livestock inoculations and protection from parasites. To ensure the utmost pleasure for yourself you may want to install a "play yard" for your goats. Simple items will do, a boulder, teeter-totter, large tire and even a simple "A frame" shelter will provide them and you with hours of entertainment. The endearing antics of the kids are really great fun. THOSE NASTY RUMORS We've all heard it before "Goats eat anything." If that were true they would certainly be easy to feed; but although goats will sample many things, the truth is that they can be quite particular. Goats will indeed eat paper, after all it's cellulose just the type of thing they are designed to eat. Unless they are being starved, goats will not eat wet hay, feed they have drug out and trampled or soiled; they have been known to refuse feed that sheep have been breathing on. How about that one about goats butting? After having goats for a number of years, I have yet to be butted. Butting is used for settling disputes within the herd or defense; butting of humans is a learned behavior taught to them by humans. Of course there's "Goats stink don't they?" It all depends on what goat and when you encounter them. A kid or a doe has no real odor other than the smell of their lanolin; a buck on the other hand, can be a real "stinker" when he is in rut---but then how else would he charm the does? Kids are the cutest of all. Visit the goats for sale from the hill Check on the mohair prices links to related sites Return to Melodie Hill starting page Page design by Cathy Norwood. All content the sole property of Norwoods' Melodie Hill.
The fiber produced by the Angora goat is known as mohair and is from an Arabic word meaning "select" or "choice". This select fiber is long, strong warm and lustrous. Fleece weights increase with age and the fiber becomes coarser. Angoras are shorn twice per year as their fleece grows about 12 inches annually.
Angora goats weigh 4 to 6 pounds at birth and 80 to 120 pounds when mature. The average life span seems to be 10 to 12 years. Colored angoras have various colors and patterns.
The female goats (does) are bred at about 18 months of age with a 145 to 150 day gestation. The male goats (bucks) go into rut in the fall and carry a characteristic odor. Goats are seasonal breeders with their heat cycles occurring in the fall and the babies (kids) being born in the spring.
Angora goats can be purchased from $50 for a wether (castrated male), or $150 and up for a doe or buck.
Many people have never heard of colored angora goats and indeed they are not common. Colored angora goats have been raised in Southern California since only about 1989. Many are imports from the southwest where they have a longer history. In some areas the better known white angora was crossed with dairy goats to obtain color, and of course as little as some commercial and registered angora producers like it there is an occasional colored animal born to their flock..
Colored angora fleece differs from commercial mohair-----although some closely resembles classic mohair, other ranges to a more cashgora type. Upon inspection the fleece can be of the coarser, greasier type, but more typical is a finer essentially grease free wool. This means less work for the handspinner as the wool does not need to be washed prior to spinning. The wool will vary from slightly wavey to tight ringlets.
Angora goats are undemanding in their needs. A dogproof fence to contain them and exclude their greatest enemy----yes the family dog, yours or a neighbors is the biggest danger. Shade in the summer and of course since goats just know that they will melt, shelter from rain.
Although goats are browsers and prefer shrubs, larger weeds and trees, they do quite nicely on a diet of hay with grain needed only by lactating does. As with all animals clean water should always be available. The addition of salt and minerals meets all their dietary needs.
Goats are herd animals, and although a few have the demeanor to live alone, they really should have the companionship of another goat. Goats are naturally healthy, but should have basic health maintenance including routine livestock inoculations and protection from parasites.
To ensure the utmost pleasure for yourself you may want to install a "play yard" for your goats. Simple items will do, a boulder, teeter-totter, large tire and even a simple "A frame" shelter will provide them and you with hours of entertainment. The endearing antics of the kids are really great fun.
We've all heard it before "Goats eat anything." If that were true they would certainly be easy to feed; but although goats will sample many things, the truth is that they can be quite particular. Goats will indeed eat paper, after all it's cellulose just the type of thing they are designed to eat. Unless they are being starved, goats will not eat wet hay, feed they have drug out and trampled or soiled; they have been known to refuse feed that sheep have been breathing on.
How about that one about goats butting? After having goats for a number of years, I have yet to be butted. Butting is used for settling disputes within the herd or defense; butting of humans is a learned behavior taught to them by humans.
Of course there's "Goats stink don't they?" It all depends on what goat and when you encounter them. A kid or a doe has no real odor other than the smell of their lanolin; a buck on the other hand, can be a real "stinker" when he is in rut---but then how else would he charm the does?
Kids are the cutest of all.
Visit the goats for sale from the hill Check on the mohair prices
links to related sites
Return to Melodie Hill starting page