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Second only to dogs in length of time since
their domestication, goats have been managed by
man for approximately 12,000 years. During this
time the desirable traits of certain breeds
were developed, meat and milk production
possibly were foremost, skins, not textiles,
were used as coverings prior to development of
weaving techniques.
Genetic traits are linked in complex ways.
Over-selecting animals for physical traits
often causes changes in behavior. Likewise,
over-selection for behavioral traits can cause
corresponding changes in physical traits
Reference:
Genetics - By
Marvin Shurley, For The American Meat Goat
Association
Manipulating Goat
Genetics, Capricorn Consultants
The Dangers of
Trait Over-Selection, By Temple Grandin,
Department of Animal Science Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, Colorado
80523
Western Horseman,
August 1998, pp. 120-124
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