Rove Goat Breed – Everything You Need to Know

The Rove goat is a large beautiful antelope type goat breed with very large, heavy thick twisted Lyre-shaped horns.

They were initially bred for meat, but their population was plundered and their numbers fell into the endangered species level the goats were switched to being kept for milking and being used to clear out inaccessible areas around various reserves or landscapes to counteract fires that these areas are prone to.

Rove Goat Quick Profile Overview

Due to their incredible ability to access otherwise inaccessible areas and seek out landscapes with scarce to poor vegetation they are used to keep these areas clear in order to stop fires that the various areas are known for.
Country of Origin:	France
Other Names:	Chevre du Rove (French)
Breed Size:	Large
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Main Purpose:	Milk and foliage control
Can be used for	Breeding, Milk
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Temperament:	They are very active and acrobatic but are also quite well-mannered and friendly
Good with Kids?	They are bit too large and active to have around children
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Ideal Environment:	They like open landscape with challenging environments
Ideal Climate:	All climates
Conservation Status:	Not Listed by the *ALC Population is increasing
Health Issues?	No known health issues and less prone to various parasites
Good Starter Goat?	These goats are more for the experienced livestock breeder
Goat Associations:	Association de Defense des Caprins du Rove
Goat Clubs:	No known goat clubs
Note: *ALC stands for American Livestock Conservancy

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

It is a tall lanky breed with a long neck and legs. Its body is leaner and more muscular. They have a set of impressive horns on their heads.
Color(s):	Their coats are often black, red, grey, mottled grey/white, red speckled white or black with tan markings There are not color variations between the buck and the doe.
Goat⇒	Doe	buck
Breed Weight:	60 kg’s	90 kg’s
Breed Height:	About 74 cm at withers	About 81 cm at withers
Hair:	Short, thick and glossy	Short, thick and glossy
Ears:	Long tubular/hard pendulous ears held out front facing from their head. The ears are usually a light version of their coat color	Long tubular/hard pendulous ears held out front facing from their head. The ears are usually a light version of their coat color
Horns:	Long, thick lyre-shaped horns that can reach up to 4 foot in length	Long, thick lyre-shaped horns that can reach up to 4 foot in length
Matures at age:	5 to 15 months	3 to 15 months
Puberty Age:	4 to 10 months	4 to 9 months
Breeding Age:	18 months	1 year
Breeding Traits:	1 Breeding cycle	Cover 20 to 30 does in 1 season

DOE BREEDING & MILKING INFORMATION

They only breed once a year but do not need any help kidding as their babies are usually born out in the pastures where they are grazing
Breeding Period/cycle:	Usually lasts 12 to 36 hours Ave. 21 days/18 to 24 days
Gestation Period:	Usually around 148 to 155 day but most are 150 days
Kids:	1 to 4
Good Mothers?	They will protect their young until they are weaned and can fend for themselves.
Lactation Period:	Usually around 250 to 284 days. Most common is 284 days
Milk Quality:	They may not be the best produces of milk only producing around 500 to 600 liters a year but their milk is richer, creamier and a lot sweeter than most any other goat breeds milk.
Milking Level:	They are not too hard to milk but may give a bit fidgety
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GOOD TO KNOW

A few tips and handy advice and information about the beautiful elegant and graceful Rove goat
Where to buy them:	They are primarily found in France and nearby European towns. They are also endangered an as such only found on a few breeding farms in France
Agility:	They are very agile and able to get into places that are basically inaccessible to most creatures.
Interact with other animals:	They are not too sociable with other animals and prefer to stick to their own kind

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The rove goat works as a fire prevention aid by clearing away sites that are inaccessible to most creatures in areas prone to fire.

The Rove goat is protected by an organization in France called the Association De Defense Des Carprins Du Rove. They protect the Rove goat breed due it almost becoming extinct in the 1970’s

Once a goat breed that was prolific in the fiber industry as the goat was used for meat but these days there is hardly any leather collected from this breed as it can no longer be used as a meat goat.

The Rove goat was once primarily used for its meat. But its numbers hit the critically endangered lists as such the breed can no longer be used for its meat.

HISTORY

The Rove goat is originally from a small village near Marseille in France called Le Rove. Hence the name of this gorgeous, hardy and robust breed of goat.

They have been a valuable meat and leather goat in this village for generations until 1970 when the breeds numbers had drastically declined due to the loss of interest in goat meats and goat products during this era.

A French animal group was founded called the Association De Defense Des Carprins Du Rove to protect and encourage local farmers to breed the goat as a dairy goat and to control natural vegetation on their lands that were prone to fire. This vegetation is naturally sought out as food by the Rove goat and is usually in areas that are inaccessible to most creatures and humans.

Today the Rove goat is still only used for milk and fire control, but their numbers have increased to over 5000 head on some French farms.