New Kikos

[Jake Levi]

So why kiko's they are expensive are they worth it.

We shall see. On size they mature larger then other domestic goat breeds . They are very thrifty, developed to browse, no supplemental feeding. I will have weights on mine for when I pick them up, about 90 day weights, and I definitly plan to weigh them there if its possible as Taffy says it will be. I have seen other popular breeds close in price on breeding stock. Those farms with full blood NZ stock have the priciest stock, but also the most impressive in size and hardiness. There are several independent test stations around the country to compare bucks under the same conditions, and evaluate them on growth, soundness and parasite resistance all on browse grazing.

I am getting purebreds, there is a grading up program for them, purebreds and crosses are competitive to other breeds. Tested full blood bucks are a whole other category. I have only had a couple of crosses but their temperament was excellent I had at the time two Saanen does that were a bit pushier, but they were also several months older.

I am trying hard to make it to the Rendy, and of course my pair will be there for all to see. I will also have some pics of the farm in Ill that they come from. As luck would have it one of the biggest and earliest Kiko herds in America is just about 70 miles or so west of where the Rendy is , at Lowell, OR. I want to visit there before or after the Rendy, possibly get another cross doe. Its Lookout Point Ranch. If I can get there before the Rendy then maybe I will have a trio to show everyone. I am also bringing a ten week or so old English Shepherd pup.

I had very good results with a pair of them that I took to Samaria, Israel to work with a sheep flock, a bit later they also got chance to spend time with a dairy goat herd and did very well with them. Its going to be an interesting week with the pup and maybe 3 green young goats on the trail.

Fun !

I am picking up two Kiko kids from Craig Adams in Ill the first week of April. Here is link to his site, the herd sires, on this pGE, the bucks sire is Black Magic. Both these sires are at 300lbs. Shogun maybe more now. I will get their weights when I am down there.

http://www.kikocraigadams.com/herdsires.html

I will be bringing them to the Rendy at Bend, also an English Shepherd pup, so please feel free to introduce yourselves to the three of them, they will all enjoy the socializing.

Both of the kids will be on hikes, with mini panniers, but nothing serious for the buck til he is two and then minimal, his job is to grow, and to make a couple sons, when that is accomplished he will be castrated and a full time packer. I hope to add another doe this summer or fall. Somewhen down the road I do want to get an Alpine Ibex doeling, but its going to take finding one I can afford. I am going to be watching the exotic animal auctions, there is one in central Ohio and another in SE Mo. I'll be watching their consignments and hoping.

Meanwhile the Kiko project goes on. My buck is brown and the doe is white. Color isnot an item in Kikos, just growth and hardiness in parasite resistence.

Life goes on, looking forward to seeing everyone at the Rendy. Is anyone coming from the east? More power to them if so.

Jake