What are 'Rare Breed' Goats?
Odds Farm Park is officially recognised as an 'Approved Farm Park' by the Rare Breed Survival Trust. All Odds Farm Park's rare breed goats have a log book and females are selectively bred with males to ensure healthy blood lines.
The Rare Breed Survival Trust has five criteria for rare breed Goats, based upon how many breeding females (called nannies) are left. This criteria varies for each type of animal.
Goats
Critical - less than 100 breeding nannies left
Endangered - 101 to 200 breeding nannies left
Vulnerable - 201 to 300 breeding nannies left
At Risk - 301 to 500 breeding nannies left
Minority - 501 to 1,000 breeding nannies left
Anglo Nubian Goat
How rare are they?
The Anglo Nubian Goat is not under threat and not classed as rare.
Where does the Anglo Nubian Goat come from?
The Anglo Nubian Goat was created in the UK at the end of the Nineteenth Century. It was developed by crossing goats in England with those arriving on Ocean Liners from the East; the goats were used to provide fresh milk during the voyage.
Why have Anglo Nubian Goats at Odds Farm Park?
Whilst not rare, the long hanging ears are only found on Anglo Nubian or Boer Goats and are unusual for children to see on a day out. The Anglo Nubian Goats are also renowned for creating the best tasting and highest quality goats milk.
How would children identify the Anglo Nubian Goat?
On a day out to Odds Farm Park, children can identify the Anglo Nubian Goat by their height (they are one of the tallest breeds of goat) and their long pendular ears. Many colour combinations are found which give some Anglo Nubian Goats very attractive mottled, marbled and tortoiseshell coats.
Goats are amazing. Children did you know?
Goats are very agile creatures and in some cases can jump over 5 feet high.
Bagot Goat
How rare are they?
With between 300 and 900 breeding nannies left, the Bagot Goat is classed as Vulnerable by the Rare Breed Survival Trust. It is one of the rarest animals at Odds Farm Park and we have one of the largest registered herds in the country.
Where does the Bagot Goat come from?
Dating back to the 1300's, the Bagot Goat is one of the oldest known registered breed of goats in the UK. They are believed, to have been given to Sir John Bagot by King Richard II, following his return from the crusades.
Why have Bagot Goats at Odds Farm Park?
The Bagot Goats are all part of an active breeding program and every year, Odds Farm Park actively pairs males and females to ensure their kids have healthy blood lines.
How would children identify a Bagot Goat?
Children can identify the Bagot Goat at Odds Farm Park by their striking appearance. Long haired, their heads and fore-quarters are black and the rest of them are white. In addition, they have curved horns that sweep backwards in a twist. They shouldn't be missed on a day out with the kids.
Goats are amazing. Children did you know?
Goats do not have any upper front teeth and are extremely picky about what they eat! Coffee was first discovered when goat herders noticed the animals acting very energetic after nibbling on coffee beans!
British Alpine Goat
How rare are they?
The British Alpine Goat is not under threat with more than 1,000 breeding registered nannies.
Where does the British Alpine Goat come from?
A female goat called Sedgmere Faith arrived from The Paris Zoo in 1903 and is widely recognized as the first breeding British Alpine nanny. The first herd was created in the UK in 1911, however, the exact genetic origins are unknown.
Why have British Alpine Goats at Odds Farm Park?
Whilst not threatened in numbers the British Alpine Goat was the first recorded goat to give a gallon of milk in 24 hours in public. On a day out, they are also very friendly goats for children to meet.
How would children identify the British Alpine Goat at Odds Farm Park?
Children will be able to identify the British Alpine by their black coat with white markings on their head, legs and around its tail. They are tall, bulky goats and their coats are fine, short and very soft to stroke. They shouldn't be missed on a day out.
Goats are amazing. Children did you know?
Goats are excellent swimmers and they also used to be kept on boats to supply the sailors with milk!
English Goat
How rare are they?
With over 1,000 breeding nannies, the English Goat is not classed as threatened by the Rare Breed Survival Trust.
Where does the English Goat come from?
The English Goat was domesticated to provide households with daily milk, as they could maintain high milk yields with low quantity and quality rations. The breed, however, became less common during the 19th Century as incomes grew.
Why have English Goats at Odds Farm Park?
Once upon a time, the English Goat could be seen in every household in every village. They are at Odds Farm Park for their historical significance.
How would children identify the English Goat at Odds Farm Park?
There are a number of characteristics that Children can use to identify the English Goat. As a breed, they are quite small for a goat, measuring less than 70 cm in height with an incredibly large belly used to digest bulky food. Their thick outer coat is grey or brown in colour, their legs are dark in colour and they have a distinctive dark line along their back. Nanny goats usually have a beard.
Goats are amazing. Children did you know?
The pupils in goat's eyes are rectangular and this allows them to see very well in the dark!
Golden Guernsey Goat
How rare are they?
With between 501-1,000 breeding nannies registered in the UK, the Golden Guernsey Goat is classed as a Minority Breed by the Rare Breed Survival Trust.
Where does the Golden Guernsey Goat come from?
The exact origin of the Golden Guernsey is uncertain, though it is believed they have French, Syrian and Maltese ancestry. They arrived in the UK in 1965 from Guernsey and the first reference to them on The Channel Islands is from an 1826 tourism guide book.
Why have Golden Guernsey Goats at Odds Farm Park?
All the Golden Guernsey Goats at Odds Farm Park are in a breeding program. Golden Guernsey Goats are also very quiet, docile and friendly goats for children to meet on a day out.
How would children identify the Golden Guernsey Goat at Odds Farm Park?
As its name suggests, the goat is golden in color, with shades ranging from pale blond to deep bronze. They are smaller and more fine-boned than other British milking goats, and there is great variety in coat length. Being so friendly, children will love meeting them.
Goats are amazing. Children did you know?
Goat's milk is easily digestible and is higher in calcium and vitamin A and less allergenic than cow's milk. Anything you can make with cow's milk, you can also make with goat's milk and, worldwide, more people drink milk from goats than any other animal!
Pygmy Goat
How rare are they?
With over 1,000 breeding nannies, the Pygmy Goat is not classed as a rare breed.
Where does the Pygmy Goat come from?
Pygmy Goats originated in the Cameroon Valley in West Africa and were imported during the 1950's to European Zoos. With their cute appearance and friendly personalities, their popularity grows and they were quickly acquired by private breeders. In 1982 the UK's Pygmy Goat Club was formed.
Why have Pygmy Goats at Odds Farm Park?
Pygmy Goats are the smallest type of Goat in the world. Combined with their friendly and fun personalities, they are especially cute for children to meet on a day out.
How would children identify the Pygmy Goat on a day out?
With adults measuring between 40 and 50 cm, their small size makes it easy for children to spot on a day out. Their coat can vary in colour and length and they can have horns.
Goats are amazing. Children did you know?
Goats are very social creatures and were one of the first animals to be tamed by humans around 7000 B.C. Domestic goats can now be found worldwide.
Toggenburg Goat
How rare are they?
The Toggenburg Goat is not under threat with more than 1,000 breeding registered nannies.
Where does the Toggenburg Goat come from?
Originating from Switzerland's Toggenburg Valley, the Toggenburg Goat is a Swiss dairy goat. They arrived in the UK in 1894.
Why have Toggenburg Goats at Odds Farm Park?
The breed has historical significance as they are recorded as being the oldest known dairy goat breed.
How would children identify the Toggenburg Goat at Odds Farm Park?
On a day out, children would recognize the Toggenburg Goat by their distinct white markings. The rest of their coat varies from light fawn or grey to mid-brown, they have two white stripes above each eye to their muzzle, their hind legs are white from hocks to hooves; their forelegs are white below each knee and they have a white triangle on either side of their tail.
Goats are amazing. Children did you know?
We have some very famous goats here at Odds Farm Park. Two of our Toggenburg Goats, Sparkle and Crunchie, are in the film Mamma Mia with Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, see if you can find them while visiting the farm.
