Golden Guernsey Goat - Livestock showcase - Scottish Smallholder Festival 2020

The Golden Guernsey is a small goat adaptable to free range or stall feeding, with an affectionate and docile nature making it a good household goat. It is golden in colour with medium gold being the most common, but the golden colour can vary from a pale blonde to a deep bronze. The length of a coat can vary considerably, but generally there is some fringing.

The first reference to Golden Guernsey goats is in an island Guide Book of 1826, but it was not until the 1930s that Dr Tracey, a British Goat Society judge, noticed these outstanding golden goats and suggested to Miss Miriam Milbourne that she should revive this almost extinct breed. She set about this task with much enthusiasm, founding her L’Ancresse herd.

The breed was nearly wiped out in the Second World War when most livestock on Guernsey was slaughtered during the German occupation. Miss Milbourne was able to hide a small group of goats allowing the breed to survive.

It has a moderate milk yield, producing around 4 or 5 pints per day. The Golden Guernsey is an efficient producer when its lower food intake is considered. Milk is usually has a high butterfat and protein content and so is good for making yoghurt or cheese.

Produced by Avril Garrett, Lisean Herd, Perthshire.

Golden Guernsey Goat Society: https://www.goldenguernseygoat.org.uk/
Rare Breeds Survival Trust: https://www.rbst.org.uk/golden-guernsey
Scottish Smallholder Festival: https://ssgf.uk/
Smallholding Scotland: https://smallholding.scot/

Supported by The Scottish Government and SRUC.

Scottish Government: https://www.gov.scot/
SRUC: https://www.sruc.ac.uk