MYSTERIES OF GOAT PRODUCTION.
MYSTERIES OF GOAT PRODUCTION.
Introduction.
Goat production has the potential to improve socio-economic livelihood of peasant farmers or small-scale farmers. In the past years, there has been deliberate moves by the government of Uganda and other stakeholders to promote improvement of goat breeds raised by farmers. These include intervention of importation of exotic dairy and meat breeds in the country to improve productivity. However, according to the National Livestock Report 2021, there has been a relatively insignificant percentage in the number of exotic dairy and meat goats keeping household in Uganda.
According to research, there's still need to empower communities with appropriate information and knowledge on goat farming. In consideration with the national agriculture learning circulum, there is little emphasis on small ruminates hence producing elites with limited knowledge on goat management and production practices.
This material is designed to reveal mysteries of goat production and empower communities with appropriate information and knowledge on goat management and production. Aiming to advocate dairy goat production as a suitable sustainable alternative for indigenous cattle to promote food security, with emphasis on the unique goat production advantages that suit the changing agricultural dynamics such as reduced agricultural production land, increased population with an increased demand of carnivorous diet and increased awareness and consumption of health foods.
Aspects of Goat management
Goats as other livestock, are aware of their surroundings and react to them. If the surrounding conditions are favourable, their reaction is generally positive characterized with increased growth rate, increased weight gain, good health, increased milk production and reduced mortality. However if the surrounding conditions are aversive, the reaction may be negative.
Therefore goat management demands for good husbandry management practices to enhance productivity. Basically dealing with three aspects of Goat management.
1. Surrounding
2. Stress
3. Distress
1. Surrounding
This encompass all aspects of the space which the goat occupies or confined into, including spacing, feed, water, housing, people and management.
The farmer has the responsibility to provide all the needs of the goat for effective and efficient management production. These needs include suitable housing, adequate clean fresh feed and water, protection from harsh weather, disturbing intruders and predators.
2. Distress
Distress is a result of improper management practices. These interfere with the welfare and productivity in goats and should be avoided.
Distress can be overcome by early training to move through crush, training the herd to get used to the herdsman by regular walking in the herd, gradual weaning, gradual drying off, early introduction of solid feeds to weaning kids, use of proper equipments when carrying out distressful operations like castration, use of proper restraining structures like milk stand during milking.
3. Stress
Stress is considered normal parts of all domestic animals an important aspect that affect physiological functioning of goats.
Stress factors include hunger, sex drive, reactions to other animals in fighting or mating situation, change in weather and parasites.
Stress can be managed by the animal at a significant extent but when extreme has a greater effect on the physiological functioning resulting to decreased growth rate, decreased milk production, diseases, death and infertility.
GOAT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS.
Goat production systems are usually distinguished as pastoral systems (transhumance, agro-pastoral, nomadism) settled mixed crop livestock system, ranching, fattening and intensive system ( pasture based, zero grazing and semi-zero grazing)
1. Pastoral systems
These are extensive, subsistence oriented production systems. Local breeds of goats are kept due to their ability to adapt to locality environment and climate conditions. Pastoral systems are low input- low output systems and goats are sold only to meet immediate cash needs.
There are mainly three different pastoral goat management systems that vary with characteristics of rangelands coupled with socio-cultural and technological influence. These include; agro-pastoral system, transhumance and nomadism.
i) Agro pastoral system.
It is a mixed farming system, whereby crops are grown in a particular season but the same piece of land is over run with goats for grazing when crops have been harvested.
Emphasis remains on goat production whereby the household depends on goat production for pride, milk, meat and supplemented with crops.
ii) Transhumance system
This is a cyclical seasonal movement of herdsmen and their goat herd in synchrony with the rainfall regime in order to exploit the forage and temporary water resources in the area, these stockmen have technical mastery by certain rights.
In Uganda, transhumance system is practiced at the Uganda-Tanzania boarders in Isigiro district.
In some instances, pastoralists are involved in cultivation and don't move referred to as "sedentary pastoralism".
iii) Nomadism
This is a highly mobile system that doesn't undertake any cultivation and doesn't have any base on the rangeland.
Nomadism is commonly practiced in semi arid environment and goats survival is highly reliant on adaptive movement in response to spatial and temporal variability of the resource base. Unlike transhumance movements in the nomadic system, herdsmen are in totality with no intentions of returning.
Characterized with a part of the ethnic group outside the limits of it's traditional area of grazing. Commonly practiced in Northern eastern Uganda by Karamajong and Turkana region.
2. Settled mixed crop livestock system.
Farms are usually under (5)ha in mixed system. Cropping is the major source of food or income for a household and herds are smaller than in agro-pastoral areas.
Goats rely on natural grazing either from communal areas or from land that has been individualized under a variety of tenure arrangements.
Grazing is supplemented to a greater or less extent by use of crop residues. In Lira and Soroti goats are integrated with draught power animals an essential component in tillage of land.
In areas of low population density, goats are left free to roam over crop fields after harvesting. However where land is at premium, crop residues are collected and stored for use during the dry season.
Where cropping gain greater dominance, goats are tethered to minimize the risk of crop damage, with freedom to roam only after harvest.
3. Ranching
This is an extensive commercial oriented system, on large areas of land usually (1000)ha to produce goats for sale. Usually goats compliment cattle under ranching system.
Management intensity varies from external fencing around the boundary with watering points, regular veterinary care and supplementary feeding.
In Uganda. By the 1990s, the ranches on ranching schemes had been subjected to Ranches Restructuring Scheme to resettle landless people and their animals hence ranchers have been left with a total of (120,000)ha and squatters have been resettled on the remaining (160,000)ha. By 2000, it has been estimated that only (50) ranches of the original (500) plus, nationwide remained adequately stocked and functioning.
4. Intensive systems.
These are characterized by decreasing access to land and increasing labour demand and high level of investment per unit of output. These are mainly employed in large scale, commercial based goat production.
Exotic and crossed goats breeds are usually kept to meet the increasing consumer demand of goat products, due to their superior production genetic traits. Intensive system include pasture based intensive system, semi-zero grazing and zero grazing.
i) Pasture based system.
Goats are reared on grass-based commercial system. Pasture based farms have paddocks of natural and improved pastures.
Goats are provided with supplementary feeds and crossed or pure breeds bucks are used to upgrade indigenous breeds.
ii) Semi-zero grazing.
Semi-zero grazing is a combination of elements of both zero and extensive grazing, involves keeping goats in a pen with access to a limited grazing/browsing area while supplemented with cut feeds and minerals.
The herdsize is relatively small with about (5-20)goats. Semi-zero grazing is a versatile system for both small-scale and commercial goat production.
Production revenue is attained in selling of kids, culled stock during replacement to maintain carrying capacity and selling of milk.
iii) Zero grazing.
Goats are housed indoor all the time and feedstuff (grass and legume pastures, concentrates, minerals) are brought into the goat barn.
The system is highly productive but rather labour intensive suitable and profitable for diary goat production.
The main feed used by peasant farmers is Napier grass and to a small extent green maize. By-products such as sweet potato vines, sweet potato tubers, multi-purpose trees are used to supplement napier grass. Mineral lick should be provided and adequate water at all times.
5. Fattening
Fattening technique has evolved recently in Uganda. Aiming to increase live weight of goats selected for slaughter at given period of time. Classified into two; Grass fattening and Intensive fattening
i) Grass fattening
This is the most widely practices fattening method. It consist of reserving the best pastures for goats selected for slaughter at given period of time to reach a required live weight. Feeding is basically forage with sometimes a small supplement of minerals and concentrates. Water is supplied at all times to goats to improve digestibility and nutrients absorption.
ii) Intensive fattening
This is a form of fattening where the animals are confined in feedlots or pens. Goats are provided with a complete balanced ration of forage, concentrates and diverse agro- industry by-products.
Factors that influence Goat production.
1. Vegetation
Goats are suited to marginal lands, abandoned croplands, wastelands covered by bush. Goats prefer to browse on dense growth of bushes or shrubs.
2. Climate
Goats are adaptable to diverse climate. Through productivity of temperate exotic breeds declines to a significant percentage in the tropics.
Climate factors like rainfall, temperature affect vegetation growth and metabolic reactions in goats.
Kids are susceptible to chilling, therefore incidence of wind is a major factor to consider when choosing season for breeding and mating to reduce kid mortality rates.
3. Diseases
Attentions should be paid on important diseases especially pneumonia, foot rot disease, clostridial infections and tick born diseases as these can lead to high production economic losses.
Indigenous goat breeds (Mubende, Small East African goat, Kigezi, Galla/Karamajong) are tolerant to trypanosomiasis and heart disease though not resistant.
4. Socio-cultural and economic value.
Goats are used for socio-cultural functions like pay bride price, sacrificial rituals and hospitality in most Ugandan cultures.
Goats are used as insurance and immediate source of money and can be bartered for some other goods.
5. Economic production.
The decreased grazing production area due to the increased population has led to a significant drop in livestock production under ranch system, agro pastoral system, transhumance, nomadism and settled mixed crop livestock system. These gives goat production a competitive edge due to it's unique advantages and small size to provide the unlimited increasing demand of animal protein sources and carnivorous diet.
Advantages of keeping goats.
Goats have a small body size hence many can be kept per unit area as large numbers aid to buffer/insure risks.
Goats have an add advantage to supply meat in areas where storage facilities are not well developed due to it's small body size.
Goats have a high fertility rate. In East Africa, on average the twinning rate is 30% and triplets occur at 2% frequency.
Goat under the same condition with cattle, they grow faster and reach sexual maturity faster.
Goats are selective in feeds therefore more able to extract the most nutritious forage hence better adapted to drought and rapid recovery from stress.
Indigenous goats are more tolerant to trypanosomiasis than cattle hence a suitable livestock alternative to reduce risk of trypanosomiasis.
Goats are suitable source of milk with unique nutritional and health benefits.
Goats manure is a rich source of nutrients hence an excellent natural fertilizer for gardens and crops.
Goat can utilize wastelands and restore degraded lands since they can survive and thrive where other livestock can't.
Goats are hardy and adaptive, capable of thriving in a variety of climatic regions including temperate, tropical, sub-tropics, semi-arid, Arid, Motanne and Mediterranean.
Goats can provide multiple revenue streams including milk, meat, skin, breeding and kids.
BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIORS IN GOATS.
Goats have a reputation for being stubborn, curious and misbehaved. Understanding goat's behaviors will help farmers to manage goats effectively to mitigate production losses.
Goats exhibit a range of biological behaviors including social interactions, foraging strategies, maternal care with rentable difference from other livestock such as browsing and agile climbing ability.
1. Social behaviors
Goats are social animals that form groups with a pecking order or dominance pattern that aids to limit aggression among members.
A herd is led by a dominant female "Queen". Generally Leads the way when the herd is foraging. She will also get the most comfortable sleeping spot and be first in line for any food administered to the herd. She will also stand up to any predators and protect the rest of the herd. Her kids are by birth, naturally high up in the herd pecking order. The dominant female is mostly likely to retain her position until she dies or challenged in a fight and won by an opposing female nanny.
Bucks tend to dominate according to age, upto until six years of age and strength and dominance declines. Horns and body size are as important as age in determining a dominant buck. A dominant male is challenged in a fight and won by an opposing buck to loss his dominance and mating rights.
When a new goat is introduced to the herd, fights may takeplace until the new member has established their level in the pecking order. It is impossible to stop this fight hence the need for partitioning of goat pens or living the goats to fight.
Also a doe who has just kidded, to try upgrading her pecking order in the herd, she will fight to secure a higher status for her kids.
Goats distinguish between individuals using cues of different sensory modalities and recognize offspring using scent.
Goats are not herd as sheep, they tend to disperse and face strangers head on.
Goats are known to try and communicate with humans, looking for assistance when faced with a new challenge.
Goats groom themselves by scratching the neck and head with the rear feet and licking other body parts.
Foreging and grazing behavior
Goats are active foragers, able to roam over a wide area in search of scarce plant materials.
Goats are excellent browsers, they prefer to eat leaves, twigs and other plant parts, rather than grazing on grasses as extensively as sheep.
Goats are known to gnaw tree barks and trunks hence tolerant to drought and prolonged winter.
Maternal behaviors.
Does separate themselves from the herd before kidding and will try to hollow out a nest.
Does leave their kids separated (lying out) rather than clumped as in sheep
Does display a protecting behavior for their kids.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GOATS BREEDS.
1. Boers
Originate from South Africa, reared mostly for meat production.
It characterized with high growth rate and fertility, ready for slaughter in about (90)days with a high bone to meat ratio. Pure breeds are characterized with large stocky build, a white body and reddish brown head and neck with large dropping ears and backward curving horns. Males are roughly (90-150)kg and females are roughly (80-100)kg.
2. Savanna
Most popular goat meat breed in Africa.
It is a muscular breed that is highly adaptable to various weather conditions with a cashmere undercoat that helps them stay warm in the cold months. Pure savanna breed are large framed, primarily with a white coat with black pigmentation on the skin, have oval dropping ears and a Roman nose. Males weigh (90-110)kg and females (56-90)kg
3. Galla.
Originate from Somalia also known as Somali goats closely related to Karamajong goats in Uganda. Primarily reared for meat production.
Galla goats are tolerant to prolonged drought characterized white colour sometimes with patches, short ears, slim but well muscled frame, with a long legs, neck and with short spiral horns.
Galla weigh about (25-55)kg.
4. Nubian
Also known as Anglo-Nubian originated from England. Are mostly reared for milk production.
Characterized with long wide and dropping ears, convex/roman nose, long legs, tall flat sided body with variety of colours.
They produce 3.75litres of milk per day with relatively higher butterfat content on average. Males average weight is (79)kg and females (61)kg
5. Toggenburg
Originate from Switzerland. Mostly reared for milk production, ranked among the most productive dairy goat breed. Are relatively smaller than other dairy breeds.
Characterized by both sexes having beards, wattle are common and ears are erect with a mouse gray to dark chocolate colour, a facial stripe from the base of the horns to the muzzle.
On average the goat gives (3) litres of milk per day for 300 days.
6. Saanen
Originate from Switzerland the largest breed of swiss goat. Saanen is the most productive milk goat breed in Switzerland.
It is characterized with a white skin, short white coat. It may be horned or hornless and tassels may be present. The ears are erect and point upwards.
According to Wikipedia the average milk yeild is 838kg in a lactation of 264 days with butterfat content of 3.2% minimum. It is not well suited to extensive management being pale skinned, it doesn't tolerate strong sun.
7. Angora
It is a developed breed in the region of Asia, specifically in the area of Angora (Ankara) in Turkey. Reared mostly for their Mohair for textile mill production.
Characterized with the white colour and a single coated fleece which is called mohair.
Males weight about (45)kg and females (35)kg.
8. Cashmere.
Originate from the cold, high altitude regions of the Himalayan region, particularly in Mongolia, Tibet. Reared mostly for cashmere wool, fine, soft, downy, winter under coat in commercial quality and quantity.
Bucks weigh about (58)kg and females about (41)kg
9. Mubende
Indigenous Ugandan goat breed. Prized for their meat and skin. They are well adapted to the humid southern and central region in Uganda.
Characterized with a shinny black skin, good reproductive quality with a tinning rate 30%, often polled without horns, resistant to heartwater disease.
Males often weigh (25-35)kg while females (22-28)kg
10. Kigezi goat
Indigenous Ugandan goat breed, primarily found in the highland of kabale and Bundibugyo district, kept for meat production.
Characterized with black colour and long hair particularly on their hind quarters, more compact with relatively smaller body.
Adult male average weight is (35)kg and females (31)kg castrated males can reach upto (42)kg.
11. Small East African goat.
Indigenous to most East African regions, primarily raised for meat with good carcass dressing percentage and also known for their excellent skin quality.
Are highly adapted to the East African harsh environment condition and resistant to heartwater diseases.
Males weigh between (25-30)kg and females (21-23)kg.
GOAT MANAGEMENT PLAN.
Planning should be done in such a way that the availability of feed during various phases of the production cycle takes first priority in the management plan.
The Largest portion of the total production cost is constituted by feed cost or requirements. Therefore feed conservation measures are critical to maximize production and profitability.
Goats production cycle consist of classing, breeding season, kidding season, kid management. In order to ease management of goat herd, the herd can be divided into groups of Weaners, yearlings, Does and Bucks.
Goat breeding program.
A planned breeding program yeild the best results, when the farmer considers the individual production characteristics in goats and how best they can be passed to offsprings. For profitability the farmer must also be able to match these characteristics to the market requirements.
A breeding program consist of classing of goats, preparation of mating, heat detection and mating systems.
Classing of goats for breeding.
Classing refers to selection of goats to be retained on farm and culling the rest.
Factors considered when classing.
Age; Breeding nanny should be retained for (8-10) years.
Health; Diseased goats with Mastitis, Tetanus, bronchopneumonia, Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis should be culled.
Carrying capacity; the number of goats retained should not exceed the carrying capacity of the farm for effective and efficient economic production.
Intended type of production; Incase of meat production wethers are retained till they attain required live weight. Incase of breeding superior dominant buck are retained to pass their desired traits to offsprings.
Physiological functions; pregnant nanny and dams are retained. Heavy milkers should be retained whereas infertile, poor milkers should culled.
Replacement rate; refers to the percentage of breeding females replaced annually within the herd aiming to maintain healthy herd size. Unproductive, older does are replaced with more productive, health and younger does.
Selection of a breeding buck/billy.
A buck is the most important animal in the herd. The buck contributes 50% of the genetic makeup of every kid born and is a key factor in determining the overall pregnancy rate of the herd.
A replacement herd sire/buckling can be selected from the contemporary at weaning (3-4) months of age based on the weaning weight. Subsequently, a post weaning evaluation can be made by (6-8)months of age.
At the age of (8) months of age, a buckling can begin servicing a small number of females. At (2) years of age, bucks are considered adults capable of servicing many does.
Breeding valuable traits of a buck.
Avoid buck must present male characteristics masculinity, adequate muscling, conformation of the head and neck and standard buck vocalization.
Adult bucks should present a scrotal circumference of (25)cm on average.
Bucks must not present abnormality of the mouth such as underslot or overslot jaw.
Bucks must have two testicles. The testicles should have a firm consistency, elasticity at palpation, good mobility in the scrotum and be oval shaped
Exhibit a good sense of smell.
Structural soundness like strong feet and back.
Selection of a breeding Doe/Nanny.
Identifying replacement doelings (female goats less than a year) in a breeding program is a multi-step process based on breed, season of birth and management practices.
First screening; the first screening is based on weaning weight and development when doelings are between (3-4) months of age.
Subsequently a post weaning growth and development evaluation is made. Only doelings that have grown well and are structurally sound should be kept as a replacement stock.
Second screening; This is made at yearling stage when females are ready for breeding.
In this stage, selection is based on cyclicity of estrus and pregnancy. Young does that don't express signs of standing heat (estrus) or don't become pregnant are culled.
Final selection; this is made when young does have weaned their first kids.
Replacement prospects are determined according to whether the does adequately raised health, well sized kids. This evaluation practice is only valid when doelings are managed in similar manner.
Breeding valuable traits of Does
Should have a good structural conformation with strong back, fetal and legs.
Should express feminity and maternal traits.
The length of the upper jaw should be equal with the lower teeth touching the superior dental pad.
Should exhibit a greater average daily weight gain during development in comparison to members of their contemporary group.
The vulva must not be infantile. A small vulva with a tuff of hair is a sign of intersexuality.
Criteria for culling does and bucks.
Cull does that present frequent proplase uterine or eversion of the internat layers to the outside.
Cull does that with agalactia and incapable of raising kids to weaning stage.
Cull does that fail to maintain adequate body condition
Eliminate bucklings that displays poor conformation such as Cryptorchidism.
Eliminate bucklings with hypoplasia or under developed testicles.
Eliminate buckling with orchitis an inflammation of the testicles. These conditions can cause sterility.
Preparation for mating.
Preparation for mating is an essential breeding stage to enhance percentage of pregnancy and fertility rate of the herd. The following factors should be considered when preparing for mating.
Breeding herd should be dewormed or drenched before flushing period to enhance feed conversion ratio.
Breeding herd should be flushed with nutritious feed to increase ovulation and conception rates, for male bucks improve nutrition (8) weeks before mating begins. This is because it takes (6) weeks for spermatozoa to pass from seminiferous tubules to the epididymis.
Body weight is a critical factor in does, the doe should not be made fat, this reduces conception rates.
Examine the body structure and conformation of the buck. It should have symmetrical testicles, bilateral with no ulcerations on the prepuce
Examine the breeding herd for infectious diseases.
Separate the maiden females from the mature females and provide mature bucks to the maiden females to enhance sex libido in bucks and enhance conception rates in maiden females.
Maintain a mating ratio of 2% males to females in a seasonal mating program but if any stress exist, increase the mating ratio.
For mass mating, it is recommended (1) buck for (35-40) doe for effective function breeding and maintain good health of the buck, good quality semen.
Where single mating is practiced (1) male can be given a maximum of (50) does for mating.
Heat detection methods and aids.
Heat detection methods and aids used to complement physical and behavior signs of standing heat this include.
Tail painting used to paint does on heat
Vasectomized males used to detect nannys on heat, they mount but will not ejaculate.
Does standing heat signs.
The vulva will appear swollen and reddened.
A clear, thin mucous discharge may be present from the vulva.
The area around the tail may appear wet and dirty due to the vulva discharge.
Goat bleats more frequently.
The goat becomes more restless, pace and walk fences.
Does on heat may attempt to mate other goats.
The goat will seek out the buck during heat, if there is a male in the herd, the goat in heat will be seen to stay in the vicinity of the male.
Decreased appetite and milk yeild.
The doe stands still when a buck attempts to mount.
Note
Ovulation occurs typically (12-36) hours after the onset of standing heat. Therefore does observed on heat should be served in the evening and those observed in the evening should be served in the morning following the AM-PM rule.
Mating systems
There are different mating systems used in breeding of goats. these include single sire mating, multiple sire mating, artificial insemination.
1. Single sire mating.
This is where (1) buck is used to mate (50) females on heat. It is essential to ensure that the buck used is fertile, healthy, sound, sexually mature and can mate properly if this system is employed. It is a good practice to change bucks half way through the breeding period to ensure that all the females are served and minimize the risk of the buck to become infertile during the breeding season.
Merits of Single sire mating.
Accurate sure buck identification which is beneficial for genetic tracking and selection.
Reduced risk of injury by mitigating fighting of bucks during the breeding season.
Enhance genetic control, ensuring improvement of specific desired traits
Ensure utilization of younger bucks without the risk of fighting with dominate males
Demerits of single sire mating.
Repeated use of a single sire may result to rapid increase in inbreeding rate.
Lead to inbreed depression where the overall health vigor of the herd declines.
Reduced genetic diversity in the herd
Limited selection opportunities for selecting animal with desirable traits.
2. Multiple sire mating.
This is where many bucks are given to females on heat the recommended ratio is (1) buck per (35-40) does. In this system it is desirable to use bucks of similar size and age, to mitigate risk of fighting injuries and dominance.
Merits of multiple sire mating.
Increased genetic diversity
Increased reproductive efficiency.
Reduced risk of in-breeding.
Demerits of multiple sire mating
Reduced predictability of paternity
Increased complexity of breeding management.
Increased risk of injuries due to fights.
Increased cost of managing multiple bucks
Increased chance to transfer undesirable traits.
3. Artificial insemination.
This is where semen from elite bucks is collected, processed and inserted into a female on heat. It enables the farmer obtain desirable traits to meet market demands with out having to keep a buck.
Merits of artificial insemination.
Ensures access to superior genetics.
Accelerates the rate of genetic improvements.
Fosters selective breeding to attain desired traits.
Demerits of artificial insemination.
Needs skilled personnel for estrus detection and insemination procedures.
Requires specializes equipments like nitrogen refrigerators for semen storage which is expensive for small scale farmers.
Increased labour costs for detection, insemination and semen handling
Conception rates are lower than the natural mating especially with frozen semen.
High risk of spreading undesirable traits and diseases if not managed well.
Steaming up in goats.
Refers to increasing the feed provided to pregnant goats during the last (69) days of pregnancy, to improve fetal growth.
Provide access to high quality legumes hay (1.5-2.5) kg per day and concentrates (200-300) grams per day for each doe. Ensure access to clean water and provide a balanced mineral supplement.
Benefits of steaming up
Aims to build up the does body reservers.
Prepares the doe for the demands of early lactation for udder development.
Improves fetal growth and development
Enhance colostrum and milk production of better quality and quantity.
Enhance milk production by prolonging the lactation season.
Reduced risk of kidding problems and improve survival rate of both the doe and her kid.
Kidding paddocks
Refers to an enclosed area, where goats are kept during kidding process and for a few days afterwards. The kidding paddock aims to ensure that the doe and the newly born kids bond and fosters easy close monitoring.
Precautions of kidding paddocks.
Should rest for at least (24) months to prevent build up of pathogens like naval ill, septicemia and arthritis.
In locating kidding paddock, aspects like wind and predators should be considered.
Benefits of a kidding paddock
Ease monitoring of does, allowing early detection of any kidding problem and healthy issues.
Promotes close bonding of the dam and her kids
Ensures that weak newly born kids get sufficient amount of colostrum
Ease husbandry management operations like castration, branding and foot trimming
Reduces kids mortality rates by provision of conducive environment conditions.
Kidding; refers to the culmination of the breeding process, where a doe gives birth to kids. The gestation period of goats is typically (140-150) days
Signs of approaching kidding.
Restlessness, pawing at the ground, lying down and getting up.
Bleating or vocalization.
Hollowing out around the hip bones.
A full and shinny udder.
A soft ligament around the tail head.
A gooey, ropey discharge.
Isolation of herself from the rest of the herd.
Gathering of bedding materials.
Raises the tail frequently.
Frequent urination.
Stages of Kidding
The kidding process consist of (3) stages preparation, delivery and afterbirth
1. Preparation
The doe becomes restless, may separate from the herd and starts to nest. More physical and behaviors are observed the does tail raises frequently, her sides hallow out as she gets ready. This ends with complete cervical dilation.
2. Delivery
The doe will lie down and start pushing, followed by expulsion of a water bag and baby goat (kid) making it's entrance. This ends with the delivery of last kid.
3. After birth
After all kids are born, the doe will deliver the placenta, which usually happens within a few hours post delivery.
What to do during kidding process.
Most does kid with out any problem. However there is need to act to ensure both the doe and her newly born survive during the kidding process. Hence the need to carry out the following husbandry practices.
Provide clean, quiet and sheltered place for the doe to give birth.
Observe the doe closely and be prepared to assist if needed but avoid unnecessary interference. Assistance is usually provided to adjust the faulty position of legs neck or turn the kid into the correct position for delivery.
Disinfect the naval cord of the kids with iodine solution.
Ensure the kid suckles colostrum milk within (15-20) minutes after kidding.
Make sure the doe has access to clean water. Administer glucose solution to the doe Incase of toxemia.
If the kid is pulled, help to clear it's airways by holding the kid by the rear legs and swing it a few times.
After kidding, give the doe a shot of antibiotics and oxytocin to help prevent uterine infections and pass any remaining placental materials.
Burry the placental materials to mitigate risk of spreading infectious diseases.
Administer vitamin A to the dam to boost her immunity levels and prevent afterbirth retention.
Incase of a single kid born and it's unable to take all the milk from the dam during the first days after birth, the dam should be held and other kids permitted to take the surplus milk for complete milking and prevent risk of mastitis.
Causes of kid mortality
The majority of kid Mortalities occurs in the first two weeks after birth. Kids mortality causes can be classified into infectious diseases, non-infectious causes and management factors.
Infectious diseases
Pneumonia a respiratory infection leading to difficult in breathing and finally death.
Diarrhoea/Enteritis a gastro intestinal issue leading severe dehydration and finally death.
Sepsis a systemic infection that can occur when bacteria enter the blood stream leading to damage of organs and death.
Coccidiosis a parasitic infection of the gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhoea, weight loss and death.
Non-infectious causes.
Agalactia in does leading to malnutrition and death of kids.
Mismothering "doe rejecting her kids" leading to starvation and death.
Low birth weight or premature birth can lead to a weak kid with reduced ability to survive.
Enterotoxemia "over eating disease" a bacterial infection leading to rapid toxin production in the gut, severe diarrhoea, dehydration and death.
Internal parasite and External parasite weaken kids, lead to poor growth, reduced feed conversion rate, anemia, diarrhoea and death.
Predators like dogs, foxes can hunt, capture, kill and eat kids.
Accidents on farm, kid may get stuck, trampled on leading to death.
Extreme weather conditions, high temperatures these increase metabolic reactions in kids hence weakening the kids and increase their susceptibility to diseases.
Starvation due to lack of milk, water and food.
Birth defects and abnormalities may make it difficult for survival of kids.
Twinning or multiple births may have a high mortality rate due to competition for resources and potential complications during birth.
Injuries sustained during birth like collection of fluids in the head, liver rapture, fractured ribs.
Suffocation of newly born kids.
Pregnancy toxemia, a metabolic disorder in pregnant does that can lead to high rate if mortality of both kids and doe.
Management factors.
Unfavorable housing conditions, exposing kids to harsh weather conditions hence leading to high risk of diseases, chilling and respiratory disorders.
Failure of kids to attain colostrum leading to low immunity in kidy hence increasing susceptible to diseases.
Stressful environments or handling can weaken kids lead to abrassions and makes them more susceptible to diseases
Poor sanitation can contribute to spread of diseases.
Failure to vaccinate against common diseases can increase the risk of disease outbreak.
Low birth weights as a result of failure to steaming up makes kids more vulnerable to disease and death.
Measures to reduce kid mortality.
Vaccinate pregnant goats against infectious diseases to ensure immunity is passed to offsprings through colostrum.
Regular inspection of kids for timely detection and management of diseases.
Isolate sick goats to prevent spread of diseases.
Implement a strict regular deworming schedule for goats.
Vaccinate yearlings against Rift valley disease, Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants disease (PPR).
Maintain a steaming up program to support healthy fetal development resulting into healthy strong kids.
Select health bucks and does during breeding to ensure health disease free offsprings.
Use kidding pen for better kid management and mitigate risk of mismothering.
Disinfect the kidding pen and alternate kidding paddocks to mitigate risk of disease spread to kids.
If the newborn is suffocating. Clean it's mouth and nostril, remove mucus and membranes, then blow gently into the nostrils and gently slap it over the heart.
Incase of starvation due agalactia, kids can be fostered to a nursing dam.
Provide oral glucose to pregnant does before kidding to mitigate risk of toxemia.
Implement strict bio-security measures to mitigate risk of disease spread.
WEANING OF KIDS.
Weaning refers to gradual transition from milk to solid feed. Ideally starting around (8) weeks of kids age or when the kid reaches (9) kg of body weight.
Consideration factors for weaning.
Weight; aims to wean kids of at least (9)kg of body weight or (2.5-3) times their birth weight.
Gradual weaning; this aims to reduce the amount of milk offered over a period of (1-2) weeks to minimize stress, health issues and weaning shock in kids.
Early introduction of solid feeds; provide access to high quality hay (legume hay) or goat starter grains with (16-18)% crude protein from around (3-4) weeks of age.
A good indicator of readiness for weaning is when kids consume at least (1)% of their body weight in solid feed daily.
Social learning; this plays a vital role in solid feeding behavior, so kids benefit from being around older goats who are already eating solids.
Precautions measures during weaning process.
Ensure gradual weaning to mitigate risk of stress to the doe and kids.
Prepare the doe before weaning by gradually reducing their grain or feed intake to slow down milk production.
Monitor solid feed intake in kids to adjust weaning schedule accordingly.
Avoid weaning of sick kids to mitigate weaning shock.
Provide clean water and loose minerals to the kids all the time to support proper digestion and nutrients absorption.
Monitor kids for signs of weaning shock such as reduced weight gain and address any issue promptly.
Introduce high quality nutritious solid feed (16-18)% crude protein to enhance kid growth and development process.
Separate the doe and kids, once weaning is complete to prevent them from nursing again.
GENERAL GOAT MANAGEMENT HUSBANDRY PRACTICES.
1. Feeding.
Ensure kids suckle with in (15-20) minutes after birth to attain benefits of the nutritious colostrum milk. Weaning of kids should be done when kids attain (3) times their body weight at birth, introduced with solid feed with (16-18)% crude protein at (4)weeks of age.
Goats are excellent browsers, meaning they prefer eating woodyplants and shrubs as well as leaves from trees and other vegetation. Roughages form the majority of their diet including grasses pastures, legume pastures, hay and weeds.
Growing, milking goats and incase of forage shortage, goats should be supplemented with small amounts of concentrates and mineral salt lick to boost their growth and productivity.
2. Fostering
Refers to the act of kids suckling a dam other than their own mother doe.
Circumstances such as agalactia, mismothering, when doe has lost her kids and death of doe after kidding led to fostering of kids to enhance their survival rate.
Methods of fostering in goats.
Wrapping the foster kid into the the pelts of the dead kid
Smearing feces of the dam's kid on it's nose will cause the to accept a foster kid.
If both the foster kid and biological kid are alive. Soak both of them in salt water to cover their scent, so the dam will be unable to know which one is hers.
3. Identification
This involves giving each kid a number or mark to identify it from all the others. Identification methods in goats include Ear tagging, ear notching and tattooing.
Identification aids in easy individual identification of a goat in the herd, ease record keeping, ease traceability of infected and affected goats and helps in sorting of goats according to breed and crossing percentage.
Ear tagging is the most identification methods used in goats. It involves inserting a small plastic tag with a unique number into the goats eat using a ear tag applicator.
Procedure of ear tagging in goats.
Ensure the tag is clean and the applicator is in good working condition.
Restrain the goat, hold the goat's head securely to prevent movement.
Select the ear placement typically in the middle third of the ear between the upper and lower vein. Avoid the central ridge cartilage.
Place the tag on the applicator and position it correctly. Ensure the tag parts line up and lock together when fitted.
Disinfect the patched ear area with iodine solution.
4. Castration
A castrated males goat is called a wether.
Castration of male kids should be done early as possible (4)days to (4) months to minimize stress. Castration aims to control inbreeding, improve quality of bucks meat and carcass weight and makes buck docile for easy management
Methods of castration include elastrator band and open surgical castration method.
Elastrator band method stops blood supply to the testicles. Tight rubber rings are placed around the spermatic cord or neck of the scrotum.
Open surgical castration, both testicles are withdrawn by retraction and opening of scrotum sac using a surgical blade. The open wound and surgical blades are disinfected after the operation to mitigate risk of Tetanus disease.
5. Foot trimming.
The hooves of small ruminates have a tendancy to over grow during the wet season. The side walls grow faster and curve around the sole creating a space where dirty collects, initiating the development of foot rot disease.
Foot trimming controls foot rot disease in goats, enables the goat to walk properly, shapes hooves of young kids, improves comfort and appearance of the animal and allows early detection of foot rots.
Procedure of foot trimming.
Inspect goats for over grown, deformed hooves.
Clean prepare and ensure the hoof trimmer, hoof picker and rasp are in good condition.
Restrain the goat in a milking stand to reduce risk of injuries and ease the operation.
Clean the hooves to remove dirt, debris and examine for any infection.
Trim the toe, level the toe until the white sole is seen.
Trim the walls ensuring they level with the sole.
Trim the heel until it levels with the toe and parallel to the hair line.
Use a rasp to smoothen the edges of the hooves and ensure a proper balance.
Precautions of hoof trimming.
Avoid over trimming and cutting too deep, as this can damage sensitive tissues.
Stop trimming as soon as the pink tissue is observed to prevent damage of blood capillaries.
Trimming intervals should be to (1-2) times a year.
If bleeding occurs sprinkle the area with blood stop powder.
6. Vaccination
Vaccination should follow locality vaccination programme schedule. Focused to prevent spread of common goat diseases and boost immunity and disease resistance in goats.
To minimize the occurance of abscess on the carcass during vaccination, vaccination should be done behind the ear.
7. Deworming.
For effective deworming the dosage should be based on weight of the goat. Administered as an oral solution, the gun is held at the side of the head in a horizontal position with the nozzle entering the mouth at the angle of the lips to the top of the tongue. Dewormers include Albendazole, fenbendazole.
A good pasture rotation program assists in worm control. Goats should be moved to fresh paddocks which has been rested for (4) weeks.
Goats should be prevented to water from stagnant water such as swamps to mitigate risk of infection of liverfluke worms.
8. External parasite control
Effective control of external parasites in goats involves a combination of preventative measures, sanitation an chemical treatment.
Key strategy include regular inspection for infestation, prompt isolation of infested goats and application of insecticides or acaricides.
Other effective management practices are rotation grazing and dusting the pen with rotenone and sulphur.
External parasites can lead to transmission of trypanosomiasis by tsetse flies and heart water disease by ticks.
GOAT'S MILK
Milk is a very perishable animal product hence the need to be handled with a lot of care.
Goat milk is a nutritious best alternative for cow's milk, know for it's higher fat and protein content, with higher digestibility and potential healthy benefits.
Facts about goat milk.
Goat's milk contain more fat and protein than cow milk.
Goat milk constitutes of smaller fat globules and higher concentration of A2 protein with a high digestibility rate than cow's milk.
Goats convert all carotenes into vitamin A, which give milk a white colour and results to a higher Vitamin A compared to cow's milk.
Goats milk is a suitable alternative for most individuals with cow milk allergies or lactose intolerance and digestive sensitivities.
Goat milk is rich in A2 protein which is easier to digest and less likely to cause digestive discomfort as A1 protein in cow's milk.
Health and nutritional benefits of goats milk.
Goats milk is a good source of protein, providing all essential amino acids for muscle growth, tissue repair and overall body functions.
Goat milk is rich in Calcium, essential for strong bones, teeth and plays a vital role in preventing osteoporosis.
Contains potassium, which is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure and nerve functioning.
Constitutes of phosphorus essential for energy production, bone formation and formation of DNA and cell growth.
Contains Magnesium which is vital for muscle and nerve functioning.
Contain Riboflavin vitamin B2 vital to maintain skin healthy and involved in formation of red blood cells.
Contain Selenium that act as an antioxidant to prevent aging of the skin.
Goats milk contain slightly less lactose than cow's milk making it a suitable option for those with lactose intolerance.
Goats milk contain smaller fat globules and a higher proportion of medium chain fatty acids which are more easier to digest and absorbed by the body
Goats milk helps to reduce cholesterol levels, particularly in the arteries and gallbladder.
Goats milk consist of oligosaccharides which act as probiotics hence promote gut health.
Goat milk contain Peptides a bioactive components which inhibit growth of harmful bacteria hence boost and support the immune system.
Goats milk contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) that reduce risk of cancer.
Goats milk consist of Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat that is readily absorbed hence a good source of quick energy.
Goats milk consist of lipids, phospholipids with an antioxidant property resulting into a health skin.
Goat lactation cycle.
Goats typically produce milk for about (10) months after giving birth (kidding). Followed by two months of dry off period before the next birth. Although this can vary depending on the breed and management practices. After birth Estrogen and progesterone levels drop and the pituitary gland releases prolactin, which stimulates milk production.
Peak milk production usually occurs (4-8) weeks after birth. Goats typically producing (2-3) litres of milk per day during peaking lactation.
The lactation period can be extended to over (16) months equivalent to (700) days through practicing extended lactation, which involves continual milking without servicing or breeding the doe.
After the lactation period, goats need a dry period of (2) months to allow their mammary system to prepare for the next lactation and allow the doe build and restore it's body reservers. A sufficient drying off period is crucial for maintaining milk production in the subsequent lactation cycle. Drying off aids in mammary tissue regeneration, promotes healthy udder teats canal seal preventing new infections, reduces risk if Mastitis, optimize future milk production in the subsequent lactation and enhance overall wellbeing of the doe. Methods of drying off include gradual drying off and abrupt drying off.
Milk let down in goats.
Milk let down is triggered by the oxytocin hormone. Released in response to stimuli like kid crying, rattling of milking utensils, udder massage, washing the udder, restraining a doe on a milk stand, feeding the doe while milking.
Oxytocin hormone flows from the pituitary gland through the blood to the udder causing the muscle in the udder to contract and the milk is "let down".
Factors affecting milking production in goats.
Breed; different goat breeds have varying milk production capabilities.
Parity; milk production typically increases with each lactation cycle, reaching a peak at (8-10) years of goat age and then declines.
Health; a health goat will produce milk to the optimum whereas diseased or affected goats their milk production may decline.
Drying off period; a sufficient drying off period of (2) months promotes milk production in the next subsequent lactation cycle.
Seasons; milk production in goats is higher in seasons that favour the growth of abundant nutritious legumes and grass pastures.
Water intake; water accessibility contribute to increased water intake, an essential raw material in milk production hence improving milk production.
Socio-economic factors; level of education of household heads on goat husbandry management practices can significantly affect milk production in goats.
Hand milking hygenic precaution measures.
The milker must wash his hand thoroughly with clean water and soap before milking to mitigate risk of milk contamination with microbes.
Milker should keep his finger nails trimmed to mitigate risk of damaging the udder tissue during the milking operation.
Milker should avoid holding other materials while milking to avoid cross-transimission of microbes.
Milker should avoid blowing nose while milking to mitigate risk of contamination.
Milker should be healthy, vaccinated against Tuberculosis disease to mitigate risk of contaminating milk with tuberculosis causing microbes.
Wash the goat udders with clean, warm water and soft clothe to remove dirt, microbes and stimulation of oxytocin hormone.
Groom the goat hind quarter twice per week to remove dirt hence mitigating risk of milk contamination.
Clean the milking area after each milking
Clean the milking utensils after each milking
Use a goat milking stand to ease the milking operation.
The first draw of milk from each teat should be tested for mastitis and thrown away since it has a high bacterial count.
Note
The goat, milker and utensils are the most common source of contamination of milk with bacteria. Therefore these measures focus to reduce risks of contaminating milk.
Goats milk handling practices.
To ensure quality and safety of goats milk. Proper milk handling practices should foster a clean milking environment, hygenic milking practices and prompt cooling and storage to prevent microbial contamination, microbial growth and milk spoilage.
Milking handling practices are categorized into
i) Pre-milking hygienic practices
ii) Milking practices
iii) Post milking handling practices
i) Pre-milking hygienic practices.
Clean the milking area, free from dust manure and debris.
Clip any long hair around the udder and flanks to prevent contamination.
Thoroughly clean all the milking equipments and sundry them.
ii) Milking practices
Clean and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before milking.
Use clean, sterilized milking equipments.
Milking should be gentle but firm. Grasp the base of teat between the thumb and forefinger. Then close the other fingers around the teats, squeeze the teat gently and the milk will flow out.
iii) Post milking handling.
Cool the milk to a temperature of 5⁰C or lower with in (1) hour of milking to prevent bacterial growth.
Filter the milk to remove any dirt or debris.
Pasteurize the milk by heating it to 72⁰C for (15) minutes or 63⁰C for (30) minutes followed by rapid cooling to kill harmful bacteria.
Store milk in clean sterilized equipment made of stainless steel.
Value added products from goat milk.
Cheese include soft, semi-hard and hard cheese
Yoghurt known for it's tangy flavour and digestive benefits.
Ice cream with a unique and delicious treat.
Milk powder convenient and long lasting.
Other products include milkshake, kefir and flavoured milk.
Common health problems in goats
Goats have are susceptible to variety of health problems classified into parasitic infection, bacterial diseases, viral disease and nutritional deficiency.
1. Parasitic infection.
These consist of internal parasites including gastrointestinal, nematodes, round worms, tapeworms,liverfluke which cause weight loss, reduced feed conversion rate, weakness, anemia, reduced production and damaging of liver and lungs resulting into death of goats.
Regular deworming programing programs aid to control internal parasites and rotational grazing.
2. External parasites
Infestation of external parasites like ticks, mites, tsetse fly and lice. These feed on goats blood, cause skin irritation and transmit diseases like trypanosomiasis and heart water disease.
Heavy infestation can lead to Anemia disease, stress, reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, loss of weight in goats and death in goats.
Controlled by spraying with acaricides, insecticide and rotational grazing.
3. Bacterial diseases
These include foot rot, Enterotoxemia, Brucellosis, Mastitis and Tetanus.
Foot rot disease.
It's a contagious bacterial diseases, caused by "Dichelobacter nodosus".
It leads to lameness, hoof damage and decreased productivity.
The disease is favoured by warm, wet conditions and can spread rapidly with in a herd through contact with contaminated soils, pasture and other goats.
Mastitis
Caused by E.Coli and Staphylococcus bacteria.
It leads to inflammation of the mammary glands, reduced milk production, change in milk quality and potential systemic illness if left untreated
Prevented by drying off, gradual weaning, maintaining good hygenic milking practices, proper milking technique.
Enterotoxemia
Also known as "overeating disease or pulpy kidney". Caused by a rapid growth of clostridium perfringens type D bacteria in the intestines, leading to toxin production.
It is triggered by change of diet high in carbohydrates or sudden increase in palatable feeds. It is a serious problem in goats.
It leads to inflammation of intestines, diarrhoea, depression, lack of coordination and sudden death.
Prevented by gradual change in feed, supplementing grains with good quality forage, vaccination with CD/T vaccine and use of anti-toxin treatment.
Tetanus
Caused by Clostridium Tetani bacteria. Enters the body through wounds as a result of open castration and puncture wounds.
It leads to muscle stiffness, spasms, difficult in swallowing and difficult in kidding.
It is prevented through vaccination. Treatment is often difficult and may not be successful.
Brucellosis
It is a bacterial disease caused by brucella melitensis. It is a serious zoonotic disease.
It leads to abortions, especially in the last two months of pregnancy.
Transmitted through direct contact with infected animal fluids and milk ingestion.
Controlled by culling infected goats, vaccination and improve hygienic practices.
4. Viral diseases
Viral disease these include goat pox, bronchopneumonia, Contagious Ecthyma, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE).
Goats pox
Also known as Variola Caprina. It caused by goat pox virus.
It is characterized with fever, skin lesion (papules, nodules, pustules, vesicles), internal lesions on lungs.
Leads to economic loss, reduced milk production and poor skin quality.
Vaccination is the most effective prevention measure.
Bronchopneumonia.
Caused by Parainfluenza virus type-3, poor ventilation, crowding, stress and failure of passive transfer of colostrum can dispose goats to pneumonia.
Symptoms include depression, reduced appetite, rapid or shallow breathing, nasal discharge, fever, coughing and sudden death.
Prevented by ensuring proper ventilation, adequate spacing, minimize stress and use strict bio-security measures.
Contagious Ecthyma.
Also known as "sore mouth". It is a highly contagious viral disease in goats. Caused by parapox virus.
Transmitted by direct contact on contaminated feeds.
Kids, less than one year old are susceptible to sore mouth and stressful conditions like drought can increase the risk of infection.
Symptoms include lesions ( papules, nodules, pastures) and then scabs typically around the mouth, lips, muzzle, reduced weight.
Prevented by use of strict bio-security measures, vaccination and maintaining good hygiene and sanitation practices.
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)
Also known as "goat plague". Caused by PPRV.
It is a highly contagious goat disease transmitted through direct contact with infected goats, aerosols from sneezing and coughing and indirectly through contact contaminated materials.
It is characterized with high fever, coughing, nasal and eye discharge, abortions in pregnant doe associated with high death rates.
Vaccination is an effective prevention measure.
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE).
It is caused by Lentivirus or CAEV. This disease is found world wide.
It is categorized into two CAE Syndromes. Adult goats develop a chronic progressive arthritis and young goats develop a neurological syndrome with signs of paralysis.
Goats which develop arthritis, the joints become inflamed and swollen and the goat will slowly lose conditions and finally unable to stand.
Goats which develop neurological syndrome. The hind limbs are mostly affected, the goat will be unable to coordinate it's feet hence use knuckles to stand rather than hooves. It spreads to kids when they ingest colostrum or milk from infected dam.
Prevented by separating kids from infected goats and culling infected goats.
5. Other issues.
Coccidiosis
A gastro intestinal disease caused by protozoa, leading to diarrhoea, dehydration, reduced body weight gain.
Kids are susceptible to Coccidiosis disease. Treated by adding Coccidiostat in goats grain and maintain good sanitation practices.
Pregnancy Toxemia.
A metabolic disorder occuring during late pregnancy due to energy deficiency
Prevented by steaming up of goats, stress management and treated by glucose and electrolyte supplementation.
Urinary Calculi (stones)
Formation of stones in the urinary tract, especially in wethers.
GOAT HOUSING.
Goats housing enhance productivity in goats and offers protection of goats and kids from harsh weather conditions reducing health issues, kids mortality and thefty.
Fundamental requirements of a goat house.
A goat house should have proper drainage to ensure dryness, well ventilated environment, have adequate space, draught free environment with adequate light intensity. There should not be any compromise on these requirements to maximize returns.
Critical design factors of a good goat house.
1. Comfort
The goat house should provide physical comfort for both the herd and herdsman. Providing optimum environment conditions suitable for goats to optimize production at an effective and efficient cost. A dry, clean, draught free environment with micro-modified environment condition.
2. Protection
Should offer protection from effects of weather such as direct sunlight, strong wind, rain and intruders.
3. Sanitation.
Goats house should be easy to clean. Porous, rough surfaces should be avoided as they habour bacteria and also lead to abrassion of the goat skin, kness and feet.
If possible avoid drainage trenches joining partitions to avoid cross contamination. It is recommended to use slatted floors in goats for proper drainage and proper sanitation.
Features of a standard goat farm pen.
1. Partition units
Should ensure proper management and breeding. Goat pen should be partitioned to mitigate risk of injuries, fights and reduce competition for resources.
A goat herd is grouped into kids, pregnant does and dams, yearling and bucks.
2. Feeding area.
Goats should have designated specific feeding area designed to easy feed accessibility to goats, well spaced to avoid overcrowding.
Feed trough spacing of does (35, 50, 70)kg is (0.35, 0.40, 0.45) m² per doe respectively whereas (0.5)m² per buck. Recommended spacing for kids is (0.3)m² per kid.
3. Floor.
Goats pen should have a flat, raised, slatted floor. Raised about 6ft from the ground to ease manure collection.
Floor spacing varies with weight and sex. Does of (35, 50, 70) kg require (0.7, 0.9, 1.1)m² per doe for slatted floors whereas bucks require (2.5)m² per buck. Kids require (0.4 - 0.5) m² per kid.
4. Roof.
Goats should have a lower pitch roof of galvanized steel with an insulation under the roof to control temperatures.
The roof should be leak proof with a roof overhang to protect goats from splashing rains.
5. Wall.
Goats pen should have a firm wall to hold the roof and protect goats from strong wind and predators.
Walls can be made of poles and timbe. Incase of high risk of predators the poles can be substituted with bricks.
6. Security measures
Strong well maintained fencing is essential to prevent escape and offers protection against theft and predators.
Hygiene protocols and restricting access to the farm to prevent spread of diseases.
7. Quarantine area
This should be (15) meters away from the the main goats' barn. Used to isolate sick goats and reduce the spread of infectious disease.
8. Play or exercise area.
Goats needs an exercise area to socialize and exhibit their natural biological behaviors.
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