Breeding goats for the purpose of obtaining milk is not a very popular occupation in our latitudes, which is primarily due to the low prevalence of breeds that give abundant milk yields. However, over time, the development of scientific and technological progress and the integration of various schemes of agricultural methods of earnings adopted in different countries, each of the modern farmers began to have the opportunity to diversify their livestock array, including goats, which are well and abundantly milked. In this article we will discuss one of these goat-zaanen breeds.
History reference
The Zaanen goat was first obtained by breeding in Switzerland, namely in the coastal part of the Zane river. The inhabitants of this area, due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of their region of residence from the mainland, could not afford to contain a large number of cows, but at the same time they needed dairy products. It is because of this need that approximately in the middle of the XIX century this breed was obtained. 
On the territory of modern Russia, goats first came before the events of 1917, presumably in the period from 1905 to 1907. The first imported specimens began to undergo active cross-breeding with the goats that the peasants already had, which somewhat changed their original appearance and slightly reduced the amount of milk they gave. 
According to some information, most of the modern domestic purebred goats are somehow related to the Saanen breed.
Did you know? The first data on domesticated goats were obtained during archaeological excavations in the Middle East. According to them, goats were one of the first domesticated animals. They were tamed about 10 thousand years ago.
Exterior and difference from other breeds
In order to not be deceived by an unscrupulous seller for acquiring such animals for one’s own farm, it is necessary to know the exact breed standards. Immediately make a reservation that for this breed of goats a small amount of spots on the skin and udder are allowed. It must be borne in mind that white parents may be born colored offspring, which, however, will not be considered defective. This phenomenon has the name "Seybl" and is considered a genetic phenomenon of goat national selection. 
The weight of the average male varies around 100 kg, and the female reaches up to 90 kg. The average baby goat weighs about 4.5-5 kg at birth, and then every month adds 5-6 kg in weight. The size of an adult individual at the withers can reach one meter. Often, adult females have a completely snow-white color, males may have small spots on the coat of black and brown color.
Check out other breeds of goats: Alpine, Boer, Lamancha.
The muzzle of these animals is rather narrow, the forehead is wide, the ears are vertically set. Hanging ears are unacceptable and are considered a breed defect. On the neck may be specific skin growths, the so-called "earrings". The croup is powerful, the sternum is slightly higher than the lower abdomen. 
According to the early editions of this breed's passport, one of the main distinguishing features was the absence of horns, however, over time, this view has changed, since genetic tests showed that at least one quarter of all goats of this breed are horned. Sometimes the horns are specially burned by breeders, in order to prevent their fellowmen from injuring the animals. 
Absolutely all goats have a beard up to 20 cm in size, like some females, however their length is somewhat less (usually it does not exceed 10-12 cm). Goats have a very large, well-developed udder, with very pronounced nipples. In some cases, the lower edge of the nipples comes to the knee compositions of the hind legs. 
Care and maintenance
This type of goat is quite demanding to the living conditions and problematic in care.
The most basic needs for their content should include:
- ecological purity of the environment and livestock buildings;
- constant access of goats to fresh, unpolluted air;
- specific climatic conditions (wintering at temperatures up to + 6 ° С, and in summer time the temperature should not exceed + 18 ° С).
A room in which it is planned to keep goats on an ongoing basis should provide them with adequate protection against various drafts and adverse weather conditions. The construction of such premises should be carried out on elevated terrain, as far as possible from various places of accumulation of groundwater, as well as cattle burial grounds, sewage and cesspools.
We advise you to read: Tips and recommendations for beginners goat
Floors should be constructed of solid materials (concrete or cement), over which it is recommended to lay wooden flooring. The room is best divided into boxes, each - on a 2-square meter area. In such a box can be placed on 2 dairy goats. For goats require a room of 3-4 square meters. 
The floor in the pits is highly desirable to additionally cover the bedding of hay, which must be changed as it gets wet, although some animal breeders recommend doing it daily. The stable itself must be dry, since the air humidity exceeding 75% is extremely undesirable for animals of this breed.
Important! On both sides of each box, it is desirable to equip the grooves into which the slurry will flow. You can easily remove it from them later.
What to feed
Zaanenskie goats have a specific need for food, for example, in the winter, they definitely need to give various vitamin supplements. It will be better if these supplements will have a natural look. Here are the most popular ones:
- apples;
- beet;
- potatoes;
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- pumpkin;
- swede.
Learn more about feeding goats and goats.
This cattle prefers grass, which littered all our meadows, legume-cereal crops. Cereal crops are best given in crushed or ground form. Throughout the year it is recommended to include from time to time (once every 1-2 weeks) bran and concentrated feed. It is possible to bring this type of livestock to the fields after harvesting: they happily absorb the remaining crops after harvesting. 
Zaanensky goats are distinguished by their rather meek temper, they are very attached to people and almost always obey their shepherd without question. However, despite this, when grazing a very large flock, a shepherd may need an assistant in the form of a dog or another person. The females, due to the volume of the udder, move rather slowly and clumsily, so there is no need to worry that some of the goats will quickly get rid of the herd.
Important! During the winter period, it is recommended, in addition to standard fortified supplements, to give goats also willow, birch, oak and lime leaves.
How much milk does it give?
Since this species was derived specifically to please its owners with abundant feeds, the average figures of the milk produced from one head are very impressive. They vary somewhat depending on how many kids the female produced.
Here are the approximate indicators of how much milk the Zaanen goat gives per year:
- before the first okota -500-700 l / year;
- after the first lambing - 1000-2000 l / year;
- after the second lambing - up to 3000 l / year.
Learn how to feed and feed dairy goats, as well as how to choose and use a milking machine for goats.
Separately, it is worth noting the organoleptic properties of this product. Milk has a fairly neutral smell (without the unpleasant aroma characteristic of ordinary goat milk), a pleasant, sometimes even sweetish taste. Its average fat content reaches 4%, which is 0.8% higher than the average fat content of cow's milk. After separation, it produces excellent cheeses, cottage cheese and butter. 
Advantages and disadvantages
Pluses of the content of this breedas it appears from the article are very numerous, therefore we only give the most important ones:
- substantial productivity in milk production;
- very long lactation period (up to 11 months);
- abundant fecundity (on average, there are up to 260 kids for every 100 goats);
- good properties of milk and products derived from it;
- goats are well adapted for a cool summer;
- suitable not only for the dairy industry, but also as a raw material for meat products;
- can significantly improve the quality indicators of other goat breeds when crossed;
- the docile nature and specificity of the anatomy allow them to be grazed in places that are difficult of access for other animals, for example, in ravines, mountainous areas, etc.
Did you know? Like the sheep, the goat's pupil has the shape of a horizontal rectangle, so that they are able, without making any head movements, to see at 340°.
Among deficienciesperhaps you can pick out just several significant:
- too large body size, especially in males, which sometimes creates problems in maintenance and care;
- the need for specific environmental conditions for normal vital processes;
- the need for a well-equipped maintenance room;
- A rather expensive feed base and the need for constant fortified supplements in the winter.
Video: Zaanen goat breed
So, we hope that this article has helped you clarify all aspects of interest to you regarding the Zaanen goats. Provide decent care for these animals, keep them in decent conditions, feed them according to all the prescriptions received, and the result in the form of huge feeds and a shocking young breed will not take long to wait!
