Features

Bagot goats: 'critically' rare in the UK

You don't know what you've Bagot...

"The Bagot goat is just pretty to look at and doesn't serve a huge purpose."

That's the verdict of Clare Middleton, livestock manager at Odds Farm Park, when asked to explain why the breed is so rare.

"Animals become rare because of their purposes," she says.

"Although they produce good quality milk for their babies they don't produce a large amount so they're not suitable as dairy goats. There's no demand for the breed.

"It's the age we live in. People want to get something out of an animal and enjoyment isn't enough, there's no 'end result'."

Roll up for the sheep race! See below to play...

The farm park takes a different approach. It specialises in the rearing of rare breeds and is celebrating the introduction of more Bagot goats to the farm's special paddock.

"Bagot goats are classed as a critically rare breed," says Clare. "There are only 80 registered breeding nannies remaining in the UK.

"We've got 11 of those here which makes us the second largest herd in the country."

This goat seems keen on hygiene...

Bagot goats certainly look endearing: think of the Billy Goats Gruff and you'll be on the right lines.

The small, agile goats have hair growing under their chin and long, curving horns. Their bodies are white with a distinctive black or dark brown head and shoulders.

Entertaining

The Bagot goat is often billed as being of a nervous disposition, but the ones at the farm park seem quite outgoing and lively.

"They love climbing," agrees Clare. "They've got a fallen-down tree in their paddock and they're right next to the entrance as they're very entertaining."

But the Bagot goats are far from the only entertaining animals on site - at the other end of the farm park you can find the daily sheep race.

PLAY OUR SHEEP RACE GAME!

Pick your sheep from the following list of competitors:

Pick your sheep from the list and play!

• SUPER RAM
• RAM RAIDER
• CHARLIE CHOPS
• ROD STEWPOT
• BARBARELLA

Then listen to our audio sheep commentary to find out more about each competitor and, of course, which sheep wins!  Listen: sheep racing commentary! > Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer

You can visit the Odds Farm Park official website for more information about visiting the farm's Bagot goats.