Rare Bagot goat born at Forge Mill Farm
A little black-and-white kid is the latest member of the rare Bagot goat family at a farm attraction in the Black Country – the latest newcomer to a project to save the species from extinction.
The female has been born at Sandwell Council’s Forge Mill Farm at West Bromwich and is now available to be seen by visitors.
Melissa Underwood-Grattage, the farm manager, said: “She is a cute little thing and is the latest introduction to the farm’s breeding stock and will play a part in helping to increase the number of these rare animals for years to come."
Staff at Sandwell Valley are supporting a scheme run by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust to breed the rare goats as there are fewer than 200 registered breeding females left.
The Bagot family of goats are a popular attraction for visitors to Forge Mill. The Bagot is believed to be Britain’s oldest breed of goat with records of them being around in 1389 at Blithfield, the Staffordshire home of Sir John Bagot.
The exact origin of the Bagot goat is unknown - one theory is that they were brought to Britain during the Crusades in the Middle Ages, while others believe they originated from native goats in medieval times.
