Rove goat
The Rove is a French breed of domestic goat that is adapted by natural selection to environmental conditions and the Mediterranean climate of Provence in particular. The spelling of Rove goat also frequently used for this breed is grammatically incorrect.
Origin and Distribution
The Rove has been proven since the 19th century in southern France. Its distribution is focused around the mountain village of Le Rove near Marseille. From there, the breed is now more and more prevalent in the alpine region of Provence and also in the lowlands.
On the origin of the goat nothing definite is known. Two theories to explain their origin and presence in the Basse -Provence. Accordingly, the ancestors of the goat from Mesopotamia, Anatolia and Greece come and said to have been imported by the Phoenicians. In theory it is said that one of their ships sank near the coast and a large portion of the loaded goats floating escaped to the shore. According to a second hypothesis, they were acquired in the port of Marseilles by barter from the Phoenicians.
The goats were integrated by the shepherds to their flocks of sheep and evolved by natural selection in the hills of Rove, after they were called to an optimally adapted to the scrubland of Provence Landrace. In Provence -Alpes- Côte d' Azur today concentrate more than 60 percent of the goat population and about half of the breeders of this breed. 90 percent of the goat farms are located in the southeast of France.
Outside of France, the breed is not widely used. In Germany, only eight animals were performed in the herd books of the national associations in 2011.
Features
A typical triangular head with pronounced cheekbones characterize the Rove as well as the imposing horns. The horns grow on the head on high, and are applied in a spiral. A span of 120 cm speak French to the horns of a goat. Others even 150 cm. A single horn can be up to 90 cm long; the goat only 30 cm. Also typical are the set forward long, wide ears.
The body is strong and well muscled. A deep chest and broad edges belong to the massive hull. The hips are not falling away. The withers when Bock is between 75 and 90 cm, in the goat between 70 and 80 cm. The weight of the blocks can vary between 80 and 90 kg, with the goat between 50 and 60 kg. The color of the coat is mostly reddish brown, but it can also, black, mottled, gray and blonde animals occur, but never gemsfarbige or white.
The milk yield of Rove, depending on the attitude between 250 kg and 500 kg. The milk itself has a high fat and protein content and is especially suitable for the production of cheese. The meat yield of the goat is 50 percent.
Use and threats
The Rove is a robust and very undemanding goat, which is suitable for extensive farming. It is one of the dual-purpose breeds and serves as meat and milk supplier.
From the Middle Ages to the 1950s, the shepherds took advantage of castrated male goats, which Menon, as a guide for their Merino sheep during the transhumance, the annual train on the Summeralp. As surefooted herd animals they preceded the sheep. They wore large bells, which were used as acoustic signpost at Almauf drive and driven. The Rove is awarded a pronounced sense of direction. You may already be gone at once remind ways. Even under extreme sun or storms she leads her flock safe.
The shepherds resulted in herds always with some goats. They ate those plants that could stand the sheep. They were used as wet nurses in the rearing of orphaned or twin lambs of the sheep and served to improve the food the shepherd. From the goat's milk cheese they put as the Brousse du Rove, short Le Brousse, ago, which is now marketed as a regional specialty. The milk of Rove is also used for the production of services protected by the AOC seal cheese Pélardon, picodon and Banon. Even the kid meat is considered a delicacy.
In 1960 there were still 18,000 Roveziegen in the country. With the decline in sheep and goat production and the change in one of the alpine region in a region in which the goat population was within two decades rapidly to a mere 500 individuals. Was founded in 1979 with the help of the Regional Natural Park of the Camargue, the Association de défense de la chèvre du Rove ( German Association for the Preservation of Rove ). Their work led to this unique breed of goats could be obtained in the regions of Bouches -du -Rhône and Var. In 2004, we reached a herd of around 5,000 goats. 142 goat breeders who specialized in the Rove. 53 percent of these farms produced cheese. By 2007 the population had grown to 5,500 individuals.
The goat is now indispensable in the wider countryside and is used among other things specifically for protection from wildland fires. By browsing of young trees keeps the pastures open, the mountain slopes are difficult to access clean and makes it so for summer fires less vulnerable.