The Kiko is a meat goat breed from New Zealand. Created in the 1980s by Garrick and Anne Batten, they cross-bred local feral doe goats with imported dairy goat bucks of the Anglo-Nubian, Saanen, and Toggenburg breeds. Breeding goals were hardiness, fast and substantial weight gains, parasite resistance, and survivability with little input from the producer. Additionally, Kiko does are also known for their good mothering skills and milk production. Kikos easily adapt to varied environments, eat most anything, and thrive in less than ideal conditions.
Importing to the US began in 1992 by Goatex Group LLC. The two US registries for Kikos are the National Kiko Registration (NKR) and the American Kiko Goat Association (AKGA). Kikos can be registered as 100% New Zealand-those that can trace their lineage back to the original New Zealand stock. Purebreds-those animals that are at least 15/16ths New Zealand stock, and percentage-those animals that are at least 50% New Zealand stock. Kikos-Boer crosses, or BoKi’s, are a highly desired meat goat cross and can be registered as Genemaster™ with the NKR.
The Kiko breed continues to grow in popularity particularly in the warm, wet southern states where drug-resistant parasites stress herds. Kiko’s shows a natural parasite resistance that allows it to thrive in climates where other goats do not. The Kiko breed, coming from dairy background, is also proving valuable to southern dairy herds in providing parasite resistant dairy and meat offspring.
The National Kiko Registry, NKR, is a US organization that provides registration and DNA verification services to ensure the pedigree of breed stock. In addition, they provide many other services as well as a central repository for breeders and registered Kiko goats.
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