A Complete Guide to Caring for Cashmere Goats

Cashmere goats are prized for their luxurious fibre, known as cashmere, which is one of the finest and softest natural fibres in the world. Originating from various regions, including China, Mongolia, and the Himalayas, Cashmere goats are now raised worldwide for their valuable fleece. Keeping Cashmere goats can be a rewarding experience for smallholders and farmers looking to produce high-quality fibre.

If you’re considering keeping Cashmere goats, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about caring for this unique breed, including housing, feeding, health care, fibre harvesting, and breeding.

What Makes a Goat a Cashmere Goat?

Cashmere goats are not a specific breed but rather any goat that produces cashmere fibre. The key characteristic of a Cashmere goat is their fine undercoat, which grows beneath their coarse outer guard hairs. This undercoat is combed or sheared and processed into luxurious cashmere wool.

Key Characteristics of Cashmere Goats

• Fleece: Dual-coated with a fine, soft undercoat (cashmere) and coarse outer guard hairs.
• Size: Medium-sized goats. Adult females (does) weigh around 35-55kg, while males (bucks) can weigh up to 80kg.
• Coat Colour: Cashmere goats can come in a variety of colours, including white, grey, brown, and black.
• Temperament: Calm and hardy, making them relatively easy to manage.
• Adaptability: Cashmere goats are well-suited to various climates, including the UK, as they can tolerate both cold and warm weather.

Housing for Cashmere Goats

Providing proper housing for your Cashmere goats is essential to keep them comfortable, healthy, and protected from the elements.

Shelter Requirements

• Size: Ensure the shelter is spacious enough to accommodate your goats comfortably. A minimum of 1.5 square metres per goat is recommended.
• Ventilation: The shelter should be well-ventilated to prevent respiratory issues but draught-free to keep the goats warm during colder months.
• Bedding: Use straw or wood shavings as bedding and replace it regularly to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

Fencing

• Secure Fencing: Cashmere goats are curious and agile, so secure fencing is essential. Use fencing that is at least 1.2 metres high and sturdy enough to withstand pushing or rubbing.
• Grazing Areas: Provide access to secure grazing areas with plenty of shrubs, weeds, and grasses for browsing. Rotating pastures helps maintain healthy grazing areas and reduces the risk of parasite infestations.

Feeding Cashmere Goats

A balanced diet is essential for keeping your Cashmere goats healthy and ensuring high-quality cashmere production.

Diet

• Hay and Forage: The majority of a Cashmere goat’s diet should consist of good-quality hay or forage. This provides essential fibre to keep their digestive system healthy.
• Concentrates: Supplement their diet with goat-specific concentrates, especially during pregnancy, lactation, or the winter months when forage may be limited.
• Fresh Vegetables and Fruits: You can offer fresh vegetables and fruits as treats, but avoid feeding anything toxic to goats, such as potatoes, rhubarb, and avocado.

Water

• Ensure your goats have constant access to fresh, clean water. Proper hydration is essential for overall health and fibre production.

Mineral Supplements

• Provide a mineral block or loose minerals specifically formulated for goats. Cashmere goats require essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and selenium to maintain health and produce high-quality fibre.

Harvesting Cashmere Fibre

The most valuable part of a Cashmere goat is their fine undercoat, which needs to be harvested annually to produce cashmere wool.

When to Harvest

• Cashmere fibre is typically harvested once a year in late winter or early spring, as the goats naturally shed their undercoat.

How to Harvest

• Combing: Combing is the preferred method for harvesting cashmere as it separates the fine undercoat from the coarse guard hairs. This method results in higher-quality cashmere.
• Shearing: Shearing can also be used, but it requires more processing to separate the fine cashmere from the guard hairs.

Fibre Yield

• Each goat produces between 200-500 grams of raw cashmere annually. The exact yield depends on the goat’s genetics, diet, and overall care.

Breeding Cashmere Goats

Breeding Cashmere goats can help you expand your herd and improve the quality of your fibre.

Breeding Tips

• Age to Breed: Does can be bred from around 8-12 months of age once they have reached 60-70% of their adult weight.
• Gestation Period: The gestation period for goats is approximately 150 days (5 months).
• Kidding: Provide a clean, warm kidding area for the doe to give birth. Cashmere does are generally good mothers and produce 1-2 kids per litter.

Health Care for Cashmere Goats

Keeping your Cashmere goats healthy is essential for their wellbeing and productivity. Regular health checks, vaccinations, and parasite control are all part of good goat management.

Vaccinations

Work with your vet to establish a vaccination schedule for your goats. Core vaccinations typically include protection against:

• Clostridial diseases (e.g., tetanus, enterotoxaemia)
• Pasteurellosis

Deworming

Cashmere goats are susceptible to internal parasites, so regular deworming is necessary. Use faecal egg counts to determine the parasite burden and avoid overusing dewormers to prevent resistance.

Hoof Care

• Trimming: Cashmere goats’ hooves need regular trimming to prevent overgrowth and lameness. Check their hooves every 4-6 weeks.
• Foot Rot Prevention: Keep their shelter and grazing areas dry to reduce the risk of foot rot.

Common Health Issues

• Lice and Mites: Due to their dense coats, Cashmere goats can be prone to lice and mites. Regularly check your goats and treat them with appropriate medications if necessary.
• Fleece Rot: Ensure your goats are kept dry to prevent fleece rot, which can occur when the fleece stays damp for extended periods.

Behaviour and Handling

Cashmere goats are known for their calm and gentle temperament, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced goat keepers.

• Calm Approach: Approach your goats calmly to avoid startling them. They are generally docile and enjoy human interaction.
• Positive Reinforcement: Use treats to build trust and encourage cooperation during handling and fibre harvesting.
• Training: Goats are intelligent animals and can be trained to follow basic commands. Regular handling from a young age will make them easier to manage.

Why Choose Cashmere Goats?

There are several reasons why Cashmere goats are a popular choice for smallholders and fibre enthusiasts:

• High-Quality Fibre: Cashmere goats produce some of the finest natural fibre in the world, which is highly sought after in the textile industry.
• Hardy and Adaptable: They can thrive in various climates, including the UK, as long as they have proper shelter and care.
• Friendly Temperament: Their calm and gentle nature makes them easy to handle and care for.
• Dual Purpose: In addition to fibre production, Cashmere goats can also be raised for meat, making them a versatile breed.

Final Thoughts

Cashmere goats are a rewarding choice for those interested in fibre production. With their gentle temperament and valuable fleece, they are a great addition to any smallholding or farm. By providing proper housing, a balanced diet, regular health care, and timely fibre harvesting, you can ensure your Cashmere goats thrive and produce high-quality cashmere.

Always work closely with your vet to establish a health management plan, and enjoy the experience of raising this unique and valuable breed.