Leizhou Goat

Leizhou Goat

　　The Leizhou Goat is distributed in the Leizhou Peninsula of Guangdong and Hainan Island. It is a high-quality local breed primarily raised for meat and hide production, and is one of the goat breeds capable of thriving under hot and humid conditions. It is a supplementary-fed meat goat suited to tropical hilly areas.

　　Physical characteristics: The Leizhou Goat is mostly black in color, with brownish-black horns and hooves. A small number are grayish or brown. Grayish goats have yellowish coats, with lighter backs, tails, and front limbs often appearing black or black-yellow. Some may also have black-and-white vertical stripes on the face, or white bellies and rear limbs. The coat of the Leizhou Goat is short, dense, glossy, and free of underfur. The hair on the thighs, back, and tail is longer, especially in males. The face is straight, the forehead slightly protruding, and both males and females have horns. Male goats have thick horns that curve backward and spread sideways. The ears are medium-sized and stand upright. There is a beard under the jaw. Males have thick necks, while females have slender, elongated necks, which narrow at the connection to the head and gradually widen toward the chest. The back and loin are straight, and the udders are well-developed, mostly spherical in shape.

　　Breed performance: The Leizhou Goat reaches sexual maturity early, typically by 4 months of age. It breeds year-round. Female goats are first bred at 11–12 months of age, weighing over 28 kg; males are first bred around 18 months of age, weighing over 35 kg. The gestation period is 140–161 days. The Leizhou Goat has strong reproductive abilities, with a kidding rate of 150–200%. It usually gives birth twice a year or three times in two years, often producing twins, with single kids being less common. Adult male goats average 54.1 kg in weight, females 47.7 kg, and castrated males 50.8 kg. The dressing percentage is 50%–60%. The meat is delicious, with fine fibers, evenly distributed fat, and minimal gaminess. The hides are dense, lightweight, elastic, and large, and can be dyed various colors after tanning. Based on body type, the Leizhou Goat is divided into two types: tall-legged and short-legged. Short-legged goats tend to produce more twins, while tall-legged goats more often have single kids. They are known for strong reproduction, adaptability, tolerance to coarse feed, and resistance to heat and humidity. According to local experience, Leizhou Goats are best utilized between 4–6 years of age. Females can be used until 7–8 years old, while the reproductive capacity of both sexes significantly declines after 10 years.

　　The Leizhou Goat originates from the Leizhou Peninsula of Guangdong Province and Hainan Province, with an estimated current population of about 1 million.

　　This goat is sturdy in build. Both males and females have horns, a slender neck, slightly raised withers, a straight back and loin, a high cross-section, a slightly narrow chest, and a large, drooping belly. Based on body type, they can be divided into tall-legged and short-legged types: Tall-legged types are taller with a tighter belly, less developed udders, tend to have single kids, and are more active. Short-legged types are shorter, with finer bones, larger bellies, well-developed udders, faster growth, and tend to have more twins. Leizhou Goats are mostly black, with a few being grayish or brown. Grayish goats have yellowish coats, with backs, tails, and front limbs often black or black-yellow.

　　Weight-wise, 1-year-old male goats average 31.7 kg, and females 28.6 kg. At 2 years, males average 50.0 kg, females 43.0 kg. At 3 years, males average 54.0 kg, females 47.7 kg.

　　This goat reaches sexual maturity early, typically between 3–6 months of age. Females are bred as early as 5–8 months and can kid by 1 year of age. Males are usually bred around 10–11 months. Most goats give birth twice a year, some three times in two years. Litter sizes range from 1–2 kids, up to 5, with kidding rates of 150%–200%.