You are here: Home / Maps / Registered Indigenous Goat Breeds of India / Black Bengal

Black Bengal

by ruchita last modified Jun 30, 2014 02:30 PM

Feb 21, 2013

The Black Bengal is found in the eastern region of India, in the states of West Bengal and adjoining areas in Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa, Assam, Mizoram and Tripura, with a few numbers found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

black-bengal-goat

The animals are predominantly black, brown or grey and sometimes white. They have soft, glossy short hair and are dwarfed in size. The legs are short with a straight back and a beard is found in both sexes. The horns, averaging 5.8 cm in both bucks and does, are slightly tilted upward or straight. It is the most prolific among Indian breeds. Multiple births are common - 2, 3 or even 4 kids are born at a time. Kidding takes place twice a year with an average litter size of 2 kids.

The meat is excellent and palatable. Milk yield is low and is barely sufficient to feed the kids. Skin of the Black Bengal goat is used for making chamois leather – a highly valued specialty leather. According to the 18th Livestock Census 2007, the number of Black Bengal goats in the country is 20,927,557. (Refer to maps below).  

West Bengal, Bihar1 and Orrisa        Adult male        Adult Female   
Average Body weight (kg) 30 to 35  20 
Average Body length (cm) 61 to 65  51 
Average Height at withers (cm) 55 to 61  55 
Average Chest girth (cm) 70 to 73  63 

Assam and other north-eastern States
   
Body weight (kg) 15  14 
Body length (cm) 53  55 
Height at withers (cm)  49  49 
Chest girth (cm) 58  59 

 


statewise-blackbengal-india

districtwise-BB-in-WB

districtwise-BB-in-nagalandorissa

district-wise-BB-in-assamhimachalpradesh

district-wise-BB-tripuramizoram


Text Source: http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/x6532e/X6532E05.htm#ch4.3.2

Photo Source: SA PPLPP, CSWRI, Avikanagar

 
References:
  1. District-wise details have not been specified in the 18th Livestock Census data.