Black Bengal Goat from Bangladesh

Black Bengal Goat is the common name for a small breed of goat found in Bangladesh and north-eastern India (Assam and West Bengal). In Bangladesh, they are known simply as "BBGs." Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1152 × 864 pixel, file size: 480 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) black bengal goat baby. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1152 × 864 pixel, file size: 480 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) black bengal goat baby. ... Species See Species and subspecies The goat is a mammal in the genus Capra, which consists of nine species: the Ibex, the West Caucasian Tur, the East Caucasian Tur, the Markhor, and the Wild Goat. ... Assam   (Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a north eastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a part of Guwahati. ... West Bengal   (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ...

The predominant coat colour encountered is black, though goats with brown, gray and white coats are also found. The goat hair is short, soft and lustrous. The back is straight, legs are short, ears 11-14 cm in size and pointed forward. Both sexes have horns (5.8-11.5 cm), directed upward or sometimes backward. Beards are often observed in both sexes. The average height of an adult is 50 cm. An adult buck's weight ranges from 16-18 kg and that of a doe from 12-14 kg.

Economically and culturally the goat has played an important role in traditional Bangladeshi society. Goat's skins were exported to the world market on a large scale in the 18th and 19th centuries. The goat is important for its adaptability, fertility, prolificacy, and skin softness. The goats' skin is of superior quality for leather goods and is in great demand both in domestic and foreign markets. The goat's meat is famous in the area for its tenderness, flavour, and leanness.

The breed is early-maturing with first kidding occurring at about 12 months. Does kid twice a year or thrice in two years. They have the potential for better fertility and litter size than other similar breeds of goat. In Bangladesh most goats are kept by women and children; consequently the production cost is minimal. They are the most efficient users of grasses, shrubs and various tree leaves which have little alternative use and can be reared easily with or without a little amount of supplement feed.

External links

• Goat Genetic Resouces in Bangladesh
• Banglapedia Article on Black Bengal Goat