Sahelian

The Sahelian Goat (also known as Sahélienne,Cheèvre bariolée, Fulani, Sahel, West African Longlegged, Gorane, Niafounké, Nioro) belongs to the Savanna group of goats with many types and subtypes raised in the Saharan and sub-Saharan region. The described type is distributed in north and northwest of Mali.

A thin appearance, narrow body, shallow chest, long spindly legs, and sloping short croup distinguish this breed. Both does and bucks are horned, most (70%) with wattles, pendent, or semi-pendulous ears. Average does weight about 55-75 pounds, with their height at the withers 65-75 cm, and a heart girth of 62-78 cm. Bucks weigh about 85-125 pounds, stand 65-85cm at the withers and have a heart girth of 70-85 cm.

They have stiff, short hair, with a variety of colors from pure white, cream, red, black or gray sprinkled or pied, gray, brown or black.

Production traits: First kidding occurs usually about 18 months, bearing mostly (70%) one or two kids, with milk production for 5-6 months. The dressing percentage at a live weight of 25-30kg is 46-48%.

It is kept primarily for meat, and skins. Milk, at least semiarid regions in Mali, is seldom used and never processed.