The Peacock goat is a beautiful breed of domestic goat originated from the Swiss Mountains. It is considered to be an ancient goat breed that has probably been around much longer than it is really known.
Actually the breed is from the cantons of Graubünden and Upper Tessin in Switzerland. Very little information is known about the exact origin of the Peacock goat. But the breed was discovered in 1887, under the name Prätttigau Goat.
They have dark facial spots and dark stripes from the base of the horn over the eyes up to the nose. These stripes or pfaven gave the breed it’s name after the discovery.
But due to a spelling error of a journalist the breed was known as the Peacock goat. That journalist reported this breed as Pfauenziege peacock goat, instead of Pfavenziege striped goat.
The Peacock goat is also called by some other names such as the Gray-black goat, the Gray-black-white goat, Razza Naz, Colomba and Pfauenziege in German. Goat farmers of Switzerland have been raising small numbers of Peacock goat for many years.
But the breed was not officially acknowledged until 1992. In 1992 Peacock goat’s herd book was established. The first Peacock Goat Breeding Association was founded in 1989 in the canton Aargau.
An interest society was founded in 1992, and in 1993 a breeders union was founded in eastern Switzerland. An association was founded in 1994 in the canton Beru, and more recent one also exists in Graubünden (according to the Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University).
Once the Peacock goat was placed on the endangered domestic animal breed’s list. But we hope the number of this beautiful goat breed will increase gradually, as many breeders association and organizations are working for preserving this breed.
Peacock Goat Characteristics
Peacock goat is a medium sized animal which is predominantly white with black boots. While the rear half of their body is mostly black. It has a thick mid-length coat of hair.
The Peacock goat has large horns and dark facial spots/stripes from the base of the horn, over the eyes and to the nose. The inside of the ears and the area around the mouth are dark.
On average mature Peacock bucks weight about 75 kg. And a mature doe weights about 56 kg. Photo from Wikipedia.
Uses
Peacock goats are mainly kept for their milk production. The breed is not among the best dairy goat breeds, but produces as much milk as most other mountain goat breeds. It is also pretty good for meat production.
Special Considerations
The Peacock goats are very attractive animal. They are very hardy and active. They are very comfortable in mountain pastures and are weather-resistant. They are also quite friendly and docile in temperament.
They can survive on low quality forages, and don’t require large amount of high quality food to stay healthy. Review full breed profile of this breed in the following table.
| Breed Name | Peacock |
| Other Name | The breed is also called by some other names such as the Gray-black goat, the Gray-black-white goat, Razza Naz, Colomba and Pfauenziege in German. |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly kept as a dairy goat breed for milk production, but also good for meat production. |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Buck | About 75 kg |
| Doe | About 56 kg |
| Horns | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Coat Color | Black & White |
| Good for Stall Fed | Not sure |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Switzerland |
