Sirohi Goat

The Sirohi goat is one of India’s hardiest indigenous breeds, native to the Sirohi district of Rajasthan and widely reared across Rajasthan and Gujarat. Prized as a dependable dual-purpose breed, it delivers both meat…

Indian BreedDual PurposeRajasthan & Gujarat origin

Breed Overview

Renowned for its exceptional disease resistance and hardiness, the Sirohi is a favourite for commercial meat farming and a reliable choice for first-time farmers looking for a low-maintenance herd. Most does bear single kids; twins are uncommon.

Key benefits of the Sirohi Goat

Extremely hardy and highly disease-resistant
Good body size for meat — adult bucks average about 50 kg
Strong, year-round meat-market demand
Low feed cost; thrives on grazing and browse

Key Characteristics

Brown coat, often with light or dark brown spots
Coarse, short, silky hair (~2 cm annual growth)
Medium, flat, leaf-shaped drooping ears with wattles
Compact, sturdy body with a slightly Roman nose

🐐Physical Characteristics

Predominantly brown coat, frequently marked with lighter or darker spots. Coarse but silky short hair, medium leaf-shaped ears that hang flat, and a compact, well-muscled frame. Both sexes are usually horned with a small curve.

🥛Milk Production

A modest yield of about 71 kg over a lactation of about 175 days (roughly 0.4 kg a day on average) — mainly for household use, with milk well-suited to local value-added products.

🌦️Climate Suitability

Outstanding tolerance of the arid and semi-arid heat of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Highly disease-resistant and able to walk long distances to graze; needs only basic shade and dry bedding.

🌾Feeding Requirements

Thrives on grazing and browse, supplemented with 300–400 g concentrate for breeding stock. Efficient on tree leaves, shrubs and crop residues, keeping feed costs among the lowest of any Indian breed.

Advantages & Disadvantages

✓ Advantages

✓Extremely hardy and highly disease-resistant

✓Good body size for meat — adult bucks average about 50 kg

✓Strong, year-round meat-market demand

✓Low feed cost; thrives on grazing and browse

✗ Disadvantages

✗Milk yield lower than dedicated dairy breeds

✗Coat colour varies — not visually uniform

✗Best growth needs some supplementary feeding

Tips for Beginners

Buy from reputable breeders

Ask for documented lineage and a health and vaccination record to reduce the risk of buying crossbred or diseased stock.

Build raised, airy housing

A dry, well-ventilated shed with slatted flooring prevents hoof rot and respiratory disease.

Vaccinate on schedule

Follow the PPR, ET and FMD schedule from day one — prevention is far cheaper than treatment.

Balance the ration

Combine green fodder with a mineral-rich concentrate to sustain healthy growth and milk yield.

Start small, scale steadily

Begin with 5–10 does and one quality buck; expand only once you master routine management.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Sirohi is a dual-purpose breed, but it is most valued for meat thanks to its fast growth and hardiness. Its milk yield is modest — about 71 kg per lactation, or roughly 0.4 kg a day on average — mainly for household use.

They are exceptionally disease-resistant, tolerate extreme heat and thrive on low-cost grazing — a combination that keeps risk and running costs low for new farmers.

Breed survey data give adult averages of about 23 kg for does and about 50 kg for bucks; individual animals vary with feeding and management.

Sources

Sirohi data: FAO, Sheep and goat breeds of India — Sirohi (home tract, body weight and height, lactation yield and length, litter size). Figures are breed averages; individual animals vary with feeding and management. Checked November 2026.