Goats and sheep are animals that can be raised at low cost. They are also tolerant of drought and disease, unlike cattle. Because they are small, they can be raised in a small area with a small workforce and even by those with low incomes.
In this article, focuses on goat farming. You may have already read articles like this, but for the requests of readers of this magazine, we will focus on production, development and nutrition.
Production
Healthy goats come into heat regularly, and can have about three kids every two years.
Before farmers start raising goats, it is advisable to consider the following:
- Weight, not age, determines the right time for a goat to start breeding; in general, male goats are already mature at four months.
- Goats begin to be bred when they reach 3/4 of the maturity and weight of that breed of goat.
- A ram can be bred with 10 to 20 female goats, but if bred with more goats, the quality of the offspring decreases.
- For production, goats must be healthy and not overweight as this reduces the quality of sperm (seed).
- Healthy, mature, non-pregnant female goats come into heat on days 17 to 21, and should be bred within 24 to 36 hours of coming into heat.
Identifying a female goat in heat
- The goat is restless, wags its tail when touched in the folds near the hind legs and urinates when standing near the heifer.
- The external genitalia of the goat become slightly red and swollen.
Promotion
After birth
- Babies must suckle on nutritious breast milk within 24 hours of birth as it provides strong immunity against infection.
- Goats that refuse to give birth should be monitored until they start nursing. However, refusing to give birth can be a sign of poor health.
- Removing rejected babies from the placenta can help the mother accept them.
- Rejected or orphaned kids can be fed breast milk from other goats or from nearby areas.
- Kids who have been aborted and have placentas may be accepted by another female goat.
- Excess breast milk can be stored at 4 degrees Celsius for up to three months and used to feed orphaned or abandoned children.
- Other types of goat’s milk, or cow’s milk mixed with water or even powdered milk can be used when breast milk is not available.
Steps to start raising baby goats
- At two to three months of age, the babies should be separated from their mothers and begin feeding them grass and grain.
- Feed children with fresh plant material to reduce the risk of worm infections.
- Children should eat in good pastures with their mothers.
- Children need clean drinking water.
- Children should be weaned and begin learning to eat grass and grains at least two months before their mothers are re-homed.
Feeding and nutrition
Well-fed goats produce more milk and meat. A female goat in the last month before giving birth needs more protein and energy than a normal goat.
Water
- Dairy goats need at least 3-8 liters of clean water at the right time.
- Goats that eat dry pastures need more water and
energy. - Energy foods such as roots, bananas, molasses, fruits, and oil cake ensure that goats are always alive.
- Soybeans, cotton, sunflowers, peanuts and coconuts provide 2-3 times more energy than starchy foods like leaves and tree branches.
Protein
- Goats need more protein than they get from pasture.
- Green leaves, peas and beans, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, and leaves from Leucaena, Sesbania, and Gliciridia are good sources of protein.
- Chicken waste is another good source of protein.
Minerals
- Goats need calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, copper and iodine.
- Green leaves of trees, shrubs, and grain seeds are good sources of phosphorus and calcium.
- Blackened leaves are good sources of iron.
- Goats with iodine deficiency can give birth to weak, deformed and stunted offspring.
Vitamins
- Goats with vitamin A deficiency are prone to eye problems, skin infections, respiratory problems, and digestive problems.
- Goats with vitamin deficiencies give birth to weak babies.
- When goats are on pasture, they get various vitamins from the plants they eat.
- Sweet potatoes provide the most vitamin A and sweet potato leaves provide vitamin C.
