Bagot goat facts for kids
A Bagot goat
|
|
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | England |
| Traits | |
| Wool colour | White |
| Face colour | Black |
|
|
The Bagot goat is a special type of goat. For hundreds of years, these goats have lived almost wild at Blithfield Hall in Staffordshire, England.
In 2010, there were very few Bagot goats left. They were called "critically endangered" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. This meant fewer than 100 female goats could have babies in the United Kingdom. By 2012, their numbers grew, and they became "vulnerable." As of 2019, there are about 200 to 300 breeding females.
Bagot goats are great mothers. They take good care of their young, called kids. They usually have one kid at a time. They rarely need help when giving birth. Sometimes, if they are well-fed, they can have twins. There have even been two times when triplets were born.
Contents
What Do Bagot Goats Look Like?
Bagot goats are small. They have a black head and neck. The rest of their body is mostly white. Some have a white "star" or "stripe" on their face. They might also have a thin white line under their chin.
The white parts of their body often have small black spots. Sometimes, the black color spreads like a "saddle" along their back. Their head is delicate. It can look like a triangle from the front. This is because they have a wide forehead and a narrow nose.
Horns and Body Shape
Female Bagot goats usually have straight horns. These horns might curve slightly backward. Male goats (bucks) have wider horns. Their horns form large curves over their back.
Unlike many farm goats, Bagots have "cow-hocked" legs. This means their back legs bend slightly inward at the hocks. This is normal for wild goats and helps them walk on rough ground. Adult Bagot goats usually have a body shape where their top and belly lines are parallel. Young bucks might look triangular, with a deep chest and narrow waist.
Different Color Patterns
While most Bagots are black and white, some have different patterns. These are caused by special genes. Here are a few examples:
- The "Red Cheek" Bagot: This goat has red or gold patches on its cheeks.
- The "Mahogany" Bagot: This one has gold "frosting" on its ears and neck. It also has gold "eyeliner" and "lipstick." Its black coat can look reddish in bright light.
- The "Lightbelly" Bagot: This goat is dark on its back and nose. But it has white flashes around its eyes and white on its throat, belly, and inner legs.
- The "Eyebar" Bagot: This goat has white inner ears and a white spot on its jaw. It also has white stripes on its face and a white throat patch. Its belly and lower legs are white too.
- The "Lateral Stripes" Bagot: This goat has tan or white patterns on its upper and front lower legs. It also has white on its chest, inner ears, and around its mouth and eyes.
These different markings have been seen in old photos of Bagot goats. Some people try to breed goats with very specific markings. However, the Bagot Goat Society wants to keep all these different patterns. They believe it helps keep the goat breed strong and healthy. Because of this, Bagots are judged on their body shape, not just their markings.
History of the Bagot Goat
Bagot goats first came to England around the 1380s. They were brought to Blithfield Hall. People used to think they came from the Rhone valley with Crusaders. It was said that King Richard II of England gave the goats to John Bagot. This was to thank him for a good hunting trip at Blithfield.
However, science has shown a different story. DNA tests have proved that Bagot goats are not from the Rhone valley. Instead, they came from a group of native English goats. These goats were isolated and became their own special type.
As of March 2017, there were fewer than 200 female Bagot goats that could breed. By May 2018, the Rare Breed Survival Trust reported that there were between 200 and 300 breeding females.
What Are Bagot Goats Used For?
Bagot goats are not usually raised for meat. They are too small compared to other breeds like the Boer Goat. They also don't produce much milk. This is because they usually only have one kid. They don't produce enough cashmere wool to compete with Angora goats.
However, Bagot goats are very good for conservation grazing. This means they help take care of natural areas. They eat unwanted plants, which helps other wildlife grow. For example, they have been used at RSPB nature reserves in Wales, Kent, and Canterbury. Their eating habits help make the ground better for other animals.
In April 2021, four young Bagot goats were brought to the Avon Gorge in Bristol. This area is a SSSI. The goats help control the growth of unwanted plants there. They work alongside two Kashmiri goats that were released in 2011 for the same reason.
Where Can You See Bagot Goats?
A group of Bagot goats is still kept by the Bagot family at Levens Hall in Cumbria. You can also see these unique goats at many other places:
- Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
- Bill Quay Community Farm in Gateshead
- Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire
- Mary Arden's Farm in Warwickshire
- Aldenham Country Park in Hertfordshire
- South of England Rare Breeds Centre
- St James City Farm in Gloucester
- Bagot's Castle in Warwickshire
- Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire
- Forge Mill Farm, Sandwell Valley Country Park
- Farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson has a flock. His father started it in 1975. These goats have been on his TV show Countryfile.
- Kingston Maurward House, Gardens and Animal Park in Dorset
- On the cliffs of Cromer in Norfolk
- Ayleswood Rare Breeds in Meikleour, Perthshire
- Hadleigh Farm in Essex
- Palacerigg Farm Park in Lanarkshire
- Tannaghmore Farm in Northern Ireland
- The LintMill in South Lanarkshire
- Staunton Country Park in Hampshire
- Hartpury University and Hartpury College
- Cragend Farm in Rothbury, Northumberland (since January 2020)
The Bagot Goat Society
The Bagot Goat Society helps manage the records of Bagot goats. They keep a "herd book" for their members and goat owners. This book tracks all the Bagot goats. The society also holds a yearly show and sale. This event happens with the "Traditional and Native Breeds Show and Sale" at Melton Mowbray Market.
Bagot Goats on Stamps
An drawing of a Bagot goat was on the cover of a 1982 book about British postage stamps. These stamps were sold from vending machines. In January 2005, the Bagot goat was featured on a first-class British stamp. It was part of a set of ten stamps. These stamps were designed by Rose Design and used linocut pictures by Christopher Wormell.
