In Albanian society, red goats (called “dhite e kuqe”), sometimes called “illyrian goats”. were considered to be of the highest quality, with the best milk.

Muhamet Nikqi Buxhovi writes:

The “Illyrian Goat” breed according to Adametz, which originated as they say today, in Southeast Europe, is the Illyrian or Balkan goat breed that originated from Capra Prisca. Description of the Exterior of the Variety of the “Dukagjini Goat” strain:

The body is covered with long, dense hairs from black to white, buff and usually red. The KPKA has an average length of 36% of the height to the crest. Those with brina are long, covered with sickle-shaped wheat-colored manes. The neck is as long as the head, of average length but thin.

The chest was narrow and shallow once, but those that have had contact to be bred with the Sana goat have a greater depth of the chest. The cresed is pronounced above the back line which is straight where the croup is. The hips are sloping. All are short, semi-spherical in shape. The height of a goat when it grows is 62-66.cm, while the average height of a goat when it grows is about 72-75 cm.

Goats have a body weight of up to 50.kg, while goats grow over 60.kg. Milk is up to 230.liters per year, counting those who drink the milk. Lactation lasts 6.months. From 100.goats we can have up to 170.goats, which are born depending on the sex, 2.5-3.5 kg. By 2.months the goats grow on average up to 12.kg, while by 6.months they grow 24.kg. Sexual maturity occurs from the age of 7-8 months. Goats are kept in breeding up to 8 kids, although the goat lives up to 20 years.

From a Yugoslav book of 1955: “The race of Illyian goats of the Dukagjini variation, the color red”.

Photos taken from the site “Dhite e Kuqe Sllatine Lepenc” who also sell red goat milk.

Red goats, photo by Dhit E Kuqe.

Source

Untersuchungen über Capra prisca, einer ausgestorbenen Stammform unserer Hausziegen, 1914.