Special problems of hair goats

The majority of Angora goats in the United States are in Texas, although several other states have significant populations. Angora goats have unique nutritional requirements, especially for protein, owing to their selection for mohair production. They are typically managed on extensive systems in which nutrition is marginal at certain times of the year. Mineral requirements and plant toxicities may vary between regions where Angora goats are raised. Many toxic plants are unpalatable and a problem only during times when animals are hungry and forced to eat them. Reproductive efficiency is notoriously low in Angora goats, for which a 50% kid crop weaned is average in many areas. This is due to some degree to poor nutrition and the associated stress abortions and birth of weak kids. Some Angora nannies are poor mothers and abandon their kids if distracted or frightened soon after parturition. Predators cause serious kid losses in many areas. Intensive management at kidding time can markedly increase the kid crop weaned. Freeze loss is a common problem in freshly shorn goats that are exposed to a rapid change in temperature and/or wind and rain. Because of the high protein requirement, the marginal dietary protein in many Angora diets, and the traditional raising of Angoras in arid regions where browsing of plants off the ground is typical, Angoras in wet regions that are forced to graze seem to be especially susceptible to internal parasitism with Haemonchus contortus. Coccidiosis can also be a severe problem in young Angoras that are congregated in small areas. Cashmere is not a specific breed of goat but rather a type of fine fiber produced by individuals of any breed of goat. Goats that have been selected for production of this fine, downy undercoat are referred to as "Cashmere" goats. In the United States, crossbreeding of Spanish (meat) goats to cashmere type bucks is being suggested as a way of producing an extra commodity from meat goat herds.