The hidden color genes of extensively white goats can be just as useful in a breeding program as the more obviously expressed color genes of darker goats. The final color of the goat is due to the interaction of eumelanin (black/brown), pheomelanin (red brown/tan/cream/white), and white spotting (white). Silver is a unique, dominant modifier which works by changing the hair over the entire goat to a silvery-grey color.
This modifies any agouti pattern, although looks most drastic on black or darker colored goats. ND Suggested Colors & Patterns Suggested Standard Colors/Pattern Descriptions for Nigerian Dwarfs. Click on thumbnails for a closer look.
Basic Color Families Black ranges from a very dark black to a black that has red tones and almost looks brown Brown Suggested browns: chocolate, very dark brown, medium browns and light browns. Goats have dichromatic vision, meaning they see in only two colors. Learn how goats perceive the color red and how it affects their behavior.
Color in goats is comprised of two basic choices, either black based or red/tan based. These base colors are modified by several factors; the patterns that overlay them; and the white spotting and other white markings commonly seen. The color of goats depends mostly on the breed.
Most breeds have a few colors that are the most common. A few breeds are relatively colorful, but these are rarer than breeds with a set color. If you're looking for a goat that is a specific color, your best bet is to find a breed [].
Goats aren't so much harder, but they are more confusing. In goats the eumelanin ranges from black to chocolate to red while the phaeomelanin ranges from a color so pale it looks white to golds to a dark red-brown. See the problem? In goats, both eumelanin AND phaeomelanin can look red-brown! KGBA Color Chart All colors and markings are acceptable in the Kinder goat, this guide is to assist in their description for registration and identification.
Particularly unique goats may not fit the common colors and patterns. KGBA staff are happy to help describe a goat when needed. Goats come in a variety of colours, ranging from light red to very dark red, chocolate brown, black, blue grey, tan, cream, and gold.
The colour of a goat is determined by the interaction of several independent processes, which makes it difficult to control. The final colour is usually a result of a single combination of interacting components.