Chengdu Ma Goat

Chengdu Ma Goat

　　The Chengdu Ma Goat is distributed in the Chengdu Plain of Sichuan Province and its surrounding hilly areas, and has been introduced to provinces such as Henan and Hunan. It is a supplementally fed goat suited for subtropical, moist mountainous and hilly regions in southern China, used for both meat and milk. The Chengdu Ma Goat is known for its fast growth, early maturity, high fertility, strong adaptability, tolerance to humidity and heat, ability to thrive on rough feeding, and stable genetic traits, particularly notable for its tender and delicious meat with no gamey odor, as well as large-sized, high-quality hides.

　　The Chengdu Ma Goat originates from the Chengdu Plain in Sichuan. The region enjoys a mild climate with small temperature variations — the annual average temperature is 16°C (with highs of 36°C and lows of -6.2°C), and annual precipitation ranges from 900 to 1010 millimeters, concentrated during the July to September rainy season. Springs are often overcast and rainy, while winters are frequently foggy. The average relative humidity is 82–88%, and the frost-free period lasts 281–339 days. The area is known as the “Granary of Western Sichuan,” producing crops such as rice, barley, wheat, corn, sweet potatoes, beans, as well as rapeseed, cotton, and peanuts. Additionally, forage crops such as vetch, milk vetch, and broad beans are grown, serving both as green manure and fresh fodder. The region features a rich variety of shrubs and weeds, most of which can be consumed by goats. There is also an abundance of agricultural by-products, and the natural grasslands enjoy long growing seasons, all of which provide excellent conditions for goat farming.

　　Geographical Distribution: The Chengdu Ma Goat is found in the hilly areas around the Chengdu Plain. This includes Shuangliu and Jintang counties and Longquan District in Chengdu City, as well as Peng County, Guan County, Chongqing (formerly Chongqing County), Dayi, Qionglai, and other counties in the Wenjiang region.

　　Breed Characteristics: The Chengdu Ma Goat has a medium-sized head with ears that flare sideways, a wide and slightly protruding forehead, and a straight nasal bridge. Most male and female goats have horns, though some are polled. The horns of males are thick, curve backward, and twist slightly outward, whereas the horns of females are shorter and usually sickle-shaped. Both males and most females have beards under the jaw, and some goats have dewlaps under the neck. Males have well-developed forequarters, giving them a rectangular body shape and a robust stance. Females have deep and broad hindquarters, a straight back and loin, and a slightly sloping rump. Their limbs are sturdy, with black, solid hooves. The udder is spherical, and the overall build is relatively refined, with a slightly wedge-like shape. The coat of the Chengdu Ma Goat is short and uniformly yellowish-brown with a shiny appearance. Individual hair fibers can be divided into three sections: the tip is black, the middle section is yellowish-brown, and the base is grayish-black. The proportion and shade of these colors vary slightly between individuals and different body parts. The overall coat gives off a yellowish-brown hue with a black, speckled appearance, hence the name “Ma” (meaning “speckled” or “mottled”) goat. The color is generally lighter on the belly than on the body. There are also two distinctive contrasting colored bands on the body: one runs from the midpoint at the base of the horn along the nape down the backline to the tail root, forming a solid black stripe; another extends from the shoulder blades down the front legs to the coronary band of the hooves, also solid black. These two black bands cross at the withers, forming a distinct cross shape. The width and completeness of the cross vary by gender and individual, with males typically having a broader cross than females. Additionally, from the front edge of the horn base, through the inner corner of the eye, along both sides of the nasal bridge, to the corners of the mouth, there is a spindle-shaped light yellow band resembling that of a thrush bird.

　　Breed Performance: Adult male Chengdu Ma Goats have an average withers height, body length, chest girth, and weight of 65.5±1.2 cm, 69.6±1.1 cm, 79.3±1.0 cm, and 43.02±1.7 kg, respectively. Adult females measure 60.7±0.2 cm, 65.8±0.2 cm, 74.6±0.3 cm, and 32.6±0.2 kg, respectively. The breed grows rapidly and, with summer and autumn grazing and without supplementary grain feeding, can achieve a robust and well-fattened state. The meat is bright red, with evenly distributed fat, fine and juicy texture, and minimal gamey flavor. The hide has a dense structure, with the papillary layer accounting for more than half of the total thickness and a strong reticular layer. Processed leather is elastic, durable, soft, and wear-resistant. The Chengdu Ma Goat excels in both meat and milk production, has high-quality hides, strong fertility, good adaptability, and stable genetics, making it one of China’s outstanding indigenous goat breeds.