Oberhasli Goat

The Oberhasli is a dairy goat breed that comes from the mountainous regions of Switzerland, where farmers have raised them for milk production for many years.

It was first known as the Swiss Alpine or Hasli goat.

In 1936, the first Oberhasli goats were brought to the United States. At first, they were mixed with other Alpine goats, but later, breeders worked to keep the pure Oberhasli breed.

In 1978, the Oberhasli was officially recognized as a separate breed in the U.S.

Over time, this goat breed has experienced population challenges but is now in recovery. According to DAD-IS (FAO Domestic Animal Diversity Information System), the breed is still considered at risk. However, The Livestock Conservancy classifies it as recovering due to increasing population numbers.

Characteristics

Color

The Oberhasli goat has a special chamoisée color pattern.

This means its coat is light tan to deep reddish-brown with black markings. The most preferred color is a rich reddish-brown.

Some goats can be completely black, but this only happens because of a recessive gene. Solid black coats are only allowed in females (does), not males (bucks).

A unique feature of this breed is the two black stripes on the face, running from the eyes to the muzzle. The forehead is mostly black, and a black stripe runs along the back from the head to the tail (called a dorsal stripe). The belly is black, and the udder can be light gray to black.

The lower legs are black, and the inside of the ears is black too. Bucks usually have more black on their heads than does.

Face and Ears

This goat has a straight face that is slightly dished but does not have a curved or arched nose. Its ears are upright, straight, and point forward. They are also medium-sized.

In the U.S. breed standard, the Oberhasli has a face that is shorter and wider than other Alpine goats, with smaller ears, a wider body, and shorter legs.

Horns

This breed can be either horned or polled.

In many cases, horned goats are disbudded at a young age to prevent injuries.

Body

The body of this animal is well-built, compact, and has a wide stance, with a deep chest and a broad, well-sprung ribcage. Its back is straight and level, while the legs are sturdy with good angulation.

Size

Mature Oberhasli goats are medium-sized. Mature bucks reach a minimum height of 34 inches (86 cm), while does should stand at least 32 inches (81 cm).

Lifespan

This breed has a lifespan of 8 to 12 years.

Considering it is a dairy breed, this is a decent lifespan, as their bodies endure frequent pregnancies and milk production, which can impact longevity.

Weight

The average weight of an adult Oberhasli goat ranges from 100 to 150 lbs (45 kg to 68 kg). Bucks can reach at least 150 lbs (68 kg), while does weigh a minimum of 120 lbs (54 kg).

Temperament

This goat is known for its good temperament. Words like docile, calm, sweet, and friendly are often used to describe its nature.

It is recommended even for people with little experience in raising goats, as it is easy to manage and cooperative, even during milking.

These goats have great personalities and are very affectionate, much like pets.

Another characteristic that people appreciate is that they are quiet and not as vocal as other farm animals.

Milk

The milk production of these goats is very high, with an average of 1 ½ gal (5.68 l) per day and a fat content of around 3.7 to 4%.

The taste of the milk is sweet and smooth, very similar to cow’s milk. Its sweetness makes it useful in the production of various cheeses and yogurt. In Italy, it is even preferred for making ricotta.

Over a longer milking period of 264 days, these goats can produce 198 gal (747 l) of milk, but higher yields of 250 gal (906 l) or more have often been recorded in the United States.

The highest recorded milk production for this breed is 546 gal (2063 l) in 304 days, which equals 1.84 gal (6.95 l) per day. Also, the breed holds a butterfat production record of 28 gallons (106 l) at 5% fat content in 304 days.

Raising

Feeding

Oberhasli goats, like any other breed, spend a good amount of time browsing and feeding themselves if given the chance. They prefer leaves, shrubs, and other woody plants. If they are allowed to roam freely in a vegetation-rich area, they will naturally feed themselves for most of the day.

During colder months, when vegetation is low, you should provide good-quality hay twice a day. Suitable hay options include alfalfa, orchard grass, or a mix of clover, timothy, and grass. In addition to hay, you can also feed them grains, as these provide extra energy.

Grains are essential for pregnant and lactating goats, as their bodies require more energy during this period. Adding grains to their diet helps support milk production and health.

If you want to occasionally spoil them with treats, you can offer small amounts of fruits like apples, bananas, watermelon, blueberries, or strawberries. These fruits are safe but should be given in moderation.

Essential dietary supplements include minerals, a selenium block, a cobalt block, and a salt block. Additionally, fresh water must be available at all times.

From time to time, you can also provide baking soda to support digestion and prevent bloating.

Environment

These goats can be raised in open, free-range, or large pastures with a sturdy fence, as this type of environment allows them to stay active and browse daily. This helps them use their energy effectively and prevents boredom and stress.

Another suitable environment is mountainous or hilly terrain, which closely resembles their native habitat. Their strong legs are well-adapted to rough, uneven landscapes, so they have no difficulty navigating these areas.

Just make sure the fence is high enough to keep them contained and prevent them from wandering off.

Climate

They originated from a moderate climate, so the best environment for raising them is one that is similar to their native conditions. Cold climates are also suitable, and they can adapt well as long as they have proper shelter and deep bedding.

However, you should definitely avoid hot and arid climates, as they are not a heat-tolerant breed. If you live in this type of area, you should consider a different goat breed that is better suited for extreme heat.

Shelter

Although they may not always need shelter, it is recommended to have one when raising these goats.

The shelter becomes especially useful in bad weather conditions, such as extreme heat or cold, strong winds, rain, or snow. During harsh weather, it is important to keep these goats dry and protected in a well-ventilated environment with dry bedding to help prevent illnesses.

Also, at night, a shelter can keep predators away while also providing a more comfortable and less stressful environment for the goats.

How many goats per acre?

In good conditions, where there is plenty of forage available, you can raise up to 7 goats per acre.

If the pasture quality is poor or the area has drier conditions, it’s best to limit the number to 2–4 goats per acre.

Breeding

These goats reach puberty quite early, with some as young as 4 months old. But it is not healthy for them to get pregnant that early. It is best to wait until they are at least 12 months old before breeding to ensure their bodies are fully developed for kidding.

If you want to avoid early pregnancies, you should separate males from females at an early age.

When they reach the appropriate age, you can reintroduce them, as this helps with fertility. Bucks can detect when a doe is in heat through scent. In general, the breeding season for this breed starts in fall, with the doe’s estrous cycle lasting 17 to 23 days, and heat (estrus) lasting between 12 to 48 hours.

During their first pregnancy, does often give birth to only one kid, but in later pregnancies, they can produce up to four kids per breeding.

The gestation period lasts between 148 to 156 days, and kidding should be supervised, as they may need assistance in some cases.

If needed, here is a Goat Gestation Calculator & Calendar

After kidding, milk production is strong, but it reaches its peak about one month after birth.

Health Issues

They do not have any breed-specific health conditions, but they can develop common goat health issues such as parasitic infections, hoof problems, mastitis, and selenium or copper deficiencies.

Advantages

• Calm temperament
• Adaptability to cold climates
• Less noisy than other breeds
• Efficient browsers
• High milk production
• Good hoof structure
• Can be used as pack goats

Disadvantages

• Not heat-tolerant
• Requires good fencing
• Not as easy to find as other breeds
• Small litter size for first kidding
• Requires surpervised kidding

References

• Oberhasli Breeders of America ^link