The Kiko Goat
Kiko goats are a breed of meat goat originating from New Zealand. The breed was developed in the 1980s by cross-breeding local feral goats with imported dairy goat bucks of the Anglo-Nubian, Saanen, and Toggenburg breeds. The feral goats in the rugged New Zealand terrain required characteristics of robustness that allowed them to kid unassisted, instinctively care for their young, thrive without the need for parasite intervention, grow quickly off forage feed inputs, and maintain superior hoof quality with little or no trimming. The introduction of the feral goat genetics into domesticated dairy lines created the hardy Kiko goat of today that is valued for low inputs in order to meet market demands. Kikos are a versatile breed and can serve a variety of farm and ranch purposes.
Our Kiko Goats
2025 Kidding Season
Biosecurity
Biosecurity is vital component of our breeding program. We test all of our breeding stock annually for Johne's, Q-Fever, Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), and CAE via blood draw and formal lab tests. Additionally, any new breeding stock introduced to our herd must undergo a 30-day quarantine and laboratory testing. We take boundary precautions and enforce entry restrictions to prevent contamination from stock foreign to our ranch.​
​
How can Kikos work for you?
Meat Goat Production
Hardiness, adaptability, low maintenance, rapid growth, and good fertility make integrating Kiko goats into a meat goat production beneficial for farmers aiming for high yields with lower inputs.
Brush Remediation
Kiko goats are aggressive foragers and will use their bodies to bend brush too high to reach so that they can consume the green parts even taller than themselves. They will persist at the removal of any green growth that they can reach throughout the growing season and beyond.
Breeding Programs
Kiko does are known for their ability to kid unassisted and for their excellent mothering skills. A Kiko breeding program means less time fretting over does with stuck kids during birthing and kids abandoned or not properly dried off by their dams at kidding.
Homesteads
Due to their versatility and low maintenance, Kiko goats are an excellent choice for homesteaders looking to accomplish multiple goals with fewer livestock. Kiko goats produce a considerable amount of milk during the 5-month lactation period per kid, and does can be DNA tested for dairy qualities.
Pasture Management
While other stock will graze on pasture grasses, Kikos will take weeds and brush as preference. Pastures at our ranch that are grazed with Kikos do not require herbicide to ensure that desirable grasses win out over noxious weeds and blackberries.
Stock & Human Companions
Kikos that are companionable in every sense as they enjoy being in the fray, wherever that is. We have used Kikos as equine and guardian dog companions. As a herd animal, they will stick to whatever their perceived "herd" is. Becoming Goatherd is easy, because goats from our ranch have already decided their Goatherds are the very best not-goat in the herd.