Shami Goat: Characteristics, Origin, Uses & Best 10 Farming Benefits

Shami Goat is a breed of domesticated goat that originates in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. The Shami Goat’s average litter size is 6-8 kids, and they attain an average weight of 45kg upon emergence from their mother. Shami goats are used for their meat, milk, and hair.

Shami Goat is a type of goat that originates in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. The average litter size is 6-8 kids, and it has been known to grow up to 45 kg when born from its mother, with an average life span of 10 years. Shami goats are used for their meat, milk, and hair.

How To Identifying Shami Goat?

This goat is medium-sized with long legs, a long neck, and a wedge-shaped head. It possesses well-developed forequarters and drooping hindquarters.

The coat color is white, or sometimes light fawn to dark red or brown in the case of local breeds. The male’s horns curve inwards towards each other and then outwards at the tips, like a lyre.

Characteristics

  • This goat has long legs, a short body, a wedge-shaped skull, and large ears. Its coat is either completely white or light fawn or dark red-brown or black, but not both. The male’s horns are slightly bent and curved at the tips like a lyre.
  • The two types of Shami goats: Red Shami goats and Black Shami goats.
  • A single kid may be born from each delivery in a litter of 6-8 kids.
  • The Shami goat is a descendant of the Nubian breed and was probably first domesticated in India’s plains. Although it has been developed over time, it still has many similarities to its wild ancestor, especially in horn and color combinations.

Origin

This goat was bred in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The earliest mention of the Shami goat dates back to 25 AD by Greek historian Ptolemy. He wrote that Shami goats were known to the Parthian kingdom and became popular as livestock in the region.

The domestication process of this goat began in prehistoric times in India, where people living in the plains of Punjab first kept it for its milk and meat.

In the 17th century, it was bred in large numbers in Afghanistan, called the Kabuli goat. The bloodlines of these goats have been traced to Pakistan and India after the partition of India in 1947.

Disadvantages

  • The smell of the Shami goat is unpleasant to many.
  • It isn’t quiet, especially when the herd enters the barn for the night.
  • Shami goats are very destructive and chew anything from furniture to trees.
  • The maintenance cost of raising a Shami goat is high because of their high food consumption and maintenance costs.

Breeding Season

The breeding season for this goat starts in April and runs through September. The Shami goat is infertile in the summer and autumn, so caretaker farmers try to breed them during these months. The number of children a goat will give birth to depends on age, with the first kid being born at approximately 5 months.

The breeding season is usually followed by calving throughout most of August, September, and October in colder areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. After giving birth to a kid, the mother will bond with her offspring by licking it.

Quick Fact About Shami Goat

Breed NameShami Goat
Country of OriginAfghanistan, Pakistan & India
History in the culture and societyAfghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
UsesMilk, meat, and fiber
Type of animalLivestock/Hair sheep
Color geneticsWild color variants are usually black, red, or brown. The domesticated colors are white or cream.
Color mutationNone.
Cross-breedingNo crosses have been performed on this type of goat.

Uses

1. Meat: The meat of the Shami goat is tough.

2. Fiber: The hair from the sheep is used to make decorative yarn.

3. Milk: The milk of the Shami goat is used for butter, yogurt, and cheese.

4. Wool: The wool from this breed is sometimes used to create shawls and handspun yarns.

Best 10 Farming Benefits Of Shami Goat

1. The milk of this animal is rich in vitamins and fatty acids.

2. These goats are quite social and gentle animals that children can easily handle.

3. Goat milk is used to make cheese, yogurts, and other dairy products, which can help boost a family’s economy.

4. The meat of this animal is lean and nutritious, making it perfect for people were looking to improve their health through diet alone.

5. These goats are low-maintenance animals, as they eat less and require less work to keep them healthy.

6. This breed is good for people looking for a steady source of income from raising animals without having to spend on labor-intensive processes such as tending to the chicken coop or shoeing horses.

7. Since goat milk is used in many products high in calcium and vitamins, it is considered by some scientists to be a medicine that helps boost health.

8. This goat breed is usually quiet, making it useful for parents looking to raise livestock alongside their children.

9. The hair of this animal is used to make yarn and shawls, which can provide extra revenue for a family.

10. Goats are considered sacred in some countries, and some people consider them companions to each other due to their kind nature.

Conclusion

Shami goat is a beautiful animal with short legs and a long neck, with an average life span of 10 years. It is used to produce milk, wool, and meat. It is relatively easy to raise and can be an excellent source of income for the farmer.

They can be bred at home and given as gifts. Shami goat is gentle, docile, and easy to handle, making for anxious breeders. If you like this article, please share it with your friends. Thank you for reading this article.