Origin And Natural Habitat
The Sahelian goat is one of numerous varieties and subvarieties of goats bred in the Saharan and sub-Saharan regions, which includes the Boer and the West African Dwarf goats. The Sahelian goat originates from the north and northwestern region of Mali and prefers living in semi-arid or desert environments and dislikes damp places. They can feed on a range of flora in their native regions and are particularly well-suited to a wandering lifestyle.
They are strong goat breeds that can survive and thrive in harsh climates that lack constant precipitation. The Sahelian goat breed can be found in multiple African countries. Still, it can be safely bred in countries outside Africa as long as the ecosystem and environmental conditions are habitable.
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Subfamily | Caprinae |
| Tribe | Caprini |
| Genus | Capra |
| Species | Capra Hircus |
Breed Overview
| Breed Name | Sahelian Goat |
| Other Names | Cheèvre Bariolée Fulani Gorane Nioro Niafounké Sahélienne Sahel West African Longlegged |
| Origin | West Africa |
| Rarity | Common |
| Breed Purpose | Meat Milk (Rarely) |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Diet | Herbivorous |
| Coat Color | Variable |
| Hair Type | Stiff And Short |
| Buck Weight | 38-56 kg |
| Doe Weight | 24-34 kg |
| Buck Height | 65 – 85 cm |
| Doe Height | 67 – 75 cm |
| Legs Type | Long and Spindle |
| Chest Type | Shallow |
| Body Type | Narrow |
| Horn Status | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | Desert Climates |
| Good For Stall | No |
| Lifespan | 15 – 18 years |
| Experience Required | Beginner |
Appearance And Size
Sahelian goats are small and may come in a variety of colours. An adult male Sahelian buck weighs about 38-56 kg, while an adult female Sahelian goat weighs about 24-34 kg. They are not really heavy, especially compared to other goats. They are not exactly tall, either. An adult male Sahelian buck’s height is usually around 65-85 cm, while an adult female Sahelian goat’s height is roughly about 67-75 cm.
Despite their sturdy nature and penchant for survival, they can be regarded as a beautiful goat breed because of their colour, which comes in a variety of hues. Their long spindly legs and stiff, short hair also gives them a unique, attractive look. They are not a bulky goat breed and have narrow bodies with shallow chests and a short croup. Their ears are also pendant or semi-pendulous, while their horns frequently curve backwards. Not all adult Sahelian goats have horns, though, since only about 70% of them do.
Uses
The Sahelian goat is a versatile breed of goat and is frequently bred for multiple purposes. They are usually bred for skin and meat production and sometimes bred to produce milk. Their skin is extremely valuable and in high demand in markets in West Africa. Sahelian goats are also frequently bred in great numbers due to their low maintenance costs.
Housing
Sahelian goats can be housed in both open and closed housing systems. Just ensure whatever enclosure you build for them is sturdy and spacious enough to accommodate them and give them access to their food troughs, water troughs, inlets, and milk barns. Sahelian goats need to have a sleeping area of at least 15 square meters for them to be comfortable.
Ensure the enclosure is adequately ventilated and built with a sturdy material like wood or cement blocks. Sahelian goats are also popular for being escape artists. They might sneak out of their enclosure when they haven’t been trained to stay inside. So always ensure the enclosure has a sturdy fence and an opening with a gate so you can lock it whenever you want.
Diet And Nutrition
Sahelian goats mostly eat anything and are usually fed food scraps and leftovers. However, you should feed them the right stuff if you want them to be healthy. Sahelian goats should be fed some grains, hay, and chaffhaye as their primary food and can also be given some weeds and leftovers as treats.
It’s best to let them often forage, too, since it allows them to consume nutrient-rich vegetation they don’t usually eat or find in the food you feed them. You can also cut fresh grass from neighboring bushes and feed to Sahelian goats if there are no places they can graze around in their area. Forage is a Sahelian goat’s primary energy source, and it’s always good to let them out and stretch their legs often while eating fresh grass. They might need to be given additional supplements if they have no access to fresh grass.
Pregnant goats, goats that are bred for their meat, and kids also require more nutrients than other types of goats. And as such, they should be closely catered for, fed regularly, and given additional supplements.
Sahelian goats also regularly need their supplements to grow strong and healthy. You should provide them with minerals like soy protein isolate and linseed meal, which are necessary for healthy growth. They should also be readily provided and given access to fresh, clean, freely accessible water in their enclosure so they can drink whenever they want.
Social
Sahelian goats are social creatures that get easily lonely when left alone in an enclosure. As such, it’s best to always have at least two or more of them in one enclosure at any given time. They can also be put in the same enclosure with other animals like sheep and cattle, and they have also been noticed getting friendly with pets like dogs and cats.
Behavior And Temperament
Sahelian goats are an intelligent, docile goat breed that prefers to spend most of their time resting, sleeping, and eating. They might get curious sometimes and walk off to follow something that catches their eye. This goat breed is also notorious for escaping their enclosures. They are not aggressive and will hardly ever attack people except when they are pushed to their limits.
Handling
Sahelian goats are pretty easy to handle and tame despite their rugged nature. Sahelian goats have a highly amiable temperament and can be bred and nurtured by beginners. They are also simple to train and teach basic commands, which makes them a popular choice for goat breeders in West Africa.
Breeding
Female Sahelian goats can start giving birth when they are about 18 months old, and their lactation period is around 5–6 months. They usually give birth to one kid at a time, though in some instances may birth two.
Health And Lifespan
Sahelian goats are sturdy animals that can live up to 15-18 years in the wild and captivity. They will live for a long time as long as they are fed, cared for, and housed in a habitable environment. The most frequent causes of death for Sahelian goats are respiratory diseases and gastrointestinal disorders (dyspepsia).
Sahelian goats that forage and eat fresh grass in the wild are also constantly at risk of contracting parasites that can lead to sickness, dehydration, and other serious health issues. Just because they can get sick from foraging doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let them forage. Just ensure a veterinary doctor is always available for routine checkups to ensure they are always hale and hearty.
Sahelian goats should also be kept in warmer environments after removing their fleece. Exposure to cold or freezing weather can easily make them sick and fall ill.
Salehian goat kids are more prone to illness and death by disease and should be closely watched and cared for if they are to survive and grow.
Price
Sahelian goats are surplus in most local West African markets and can be gotten for about $80 – $120. Adult Sahelian goats are usually more expensive than kids since most people in West Africa buy live Sahelian goats for consumption and prefer the firmer meat of the adults.
