Quick Facts
Breed Overview
The Black Bengal is the pride of eastern India — reared across West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and Bangladesh. Small, sturdy and jet-black, it is prized above all for the finest goat meat (chevon) in the country and for premium-quality skin used in high-end leather.
What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in prolificacy and hardiness — kidding twice a year with frequent twins and triplets, thriving on minimal inputs, and resisting the diseases of hot, humid climates.
- Small, compact body, usually jet black (also brown, grey, white)
- Short legs and short, glossy coat
- Small backward-curving horns and short ears
- Exceptionally prolific — twins and triplets, twice yearly
🐐Physical Characteristics
A small, dwarf-like breed with short legs and a deep, compact body. Predominantly black, though brown, grey and white animals occur. Short glossy hair, small pointed ears and small horns curving backward in both sexes.
🥛Milk Production
A modest 0.5–1 litre/day — enough only to raise its kids, as this is a meat-and-skin breed rather than a dairy animal. Does are excellent mothers with good milk for their litter.
🌦️Climate Suitability
Superbly adapted to the hot, humid tropics of eastern India. Highly disease- and parasite-resistant, it thrives on marginal grazing, household scraps and roadside browse with minimal shelter.
🌾Feeding Requirements
One of the most economical breeds — subsists largely on grazing, tree leaves and kitchen waste, with a little concentrate for breeding does. Very low feed cost makes it ideal for landless and marginal farmers.