Management of Goats

Goat farming is an important livestock venture that offers diverse benefits like milk, meat, and fiber production. Successful goat farming requires a systematic approach to breeding, feeding, health care, housing, and management. Below is a detailed explanation of each aspect of goat management.

1. Selection of Breed

The choice of goat breed depends on the specific farming goals—whether for meat, milk, fiber, or dual-purpose production. Different breeds have distinct characteristics that influence their productivity.

Meat Breeds

• Boer Goat: Originating from South Africa, the Boer goat is one of the best meat-producing breeds. They are fast-growing, have high feed conversion efficiency, and produce high-quality meat. Characteristics: White body with a brown head, muscular body, and rapid growth rate.
• Beetal Goat: Native to India, this breed is known for its meat production and adaptability to varying climates. Characteristics: Large body, good milk yield, and quick weight gain.
• Barbari Goat: A small to medium-sized breed known for its meat quality and resistance to diseases. Characteristics: Brown or white color, excellent meat quality, and high reproductive efficiency.

Milk Breeds

• Jamnapari Goat: Found in India, this breed is highly sought after for milk production. It is known for its high milk yield and adaptability to various climates. Characteristics: Large body, white with brown patches, long ears, and high milk yield.
• Saanen Goat: Originally from Switzerland, the Saanen goat is a leading milk breed worldwide. They are known for their high milk yield and calm temperament. Characteristics: White color, large body, and excellent milk production.
• Alpine Goat: Known for its resilience in different climates, the Alpine goat is a high producer of milk and is used in both commercial and small-scale dairy farming. Characteristics: Short coat, medium to large size, and good milk yield.

Fiber Breeds

• Angora Goat: Known for its mohair fiber, the Angora goat is highly valued in the textile industry. Characteristics: White, soft wool, highly adapted to arid conditions.
• Cashmere Goat: The Cashmere goat produces fine, soft wool known as cashmere. It is used for making premium-quality wool products. Characteristics: Small to medium-sized goats, primarily raised for their soft cashmere fleece.

2. Housing Management

Proper housing is critical to the health and productivity of goats. Goats need a clean, dry, and well-ventilated shelter to protect them from extreme weather, pests, and predators.

Ideal Housing Conditions

• Location: The shelter should be built on well-drained, elevated land to avoid waterlogging and flooding. Avoid areas prone to heavy winds or extreme weather conditions.
• Flooring: Use concrete or wooden floors to make cleaning easier. In colder climates, add bedding such as straw, sawdust, or wood shavings to provide warmth and absorb waste.
• Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential to prevent respiratory diseases like pneumonia. Ensure that the shelter has good airflow to regulate temperature and humidity.
• Space Requirements:
  • Kids (young goats): 0.5–1.0 m² per kid.
  • Adult Goats: 1.5–2.0 m² per goat.
  • Bucks (male goats): 2.0–3.0 m² per buck.

Fencing

• Strong and high fences (at least 1.5 meters high) are required to keep goats secure from predators and to prevent them from escaping. The fencing material should be durable and ideally extend underground to prevent burrowing.

3. Feeding and Nutrition

A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining healthy goats and ensuring high productivity in terms of milk, meat, and reproduction.

Types of Feed

1. Roughages (Forage and Hay): Green Fodder: Fresh grass such as lucerne, Napier grass, berseem, and chillies are excellent sources of roughage. Dry Fodder: Hay, dry grasses, and straw (wheat, barley, oat straw) are good sources of fiber, especially in the winter months.
2. Concentrates: Energy Sources: Maize, barley, and wheat bran provide carbohydrates and energy. Protein Sources: Groundnut cake, soybean meal, cottonseed meal, and pulse chaff are rich in proteins necessary for growth and milk production.
3. Mineral Supplements: Calcium and Phosphorus: Crucial for bone and reproductive health. Salt: Goats need salt in their diet for hydration and electrolyte balance.
4. Water: Goats need access to fresh, clean water at all times. Water is essential for digestion, lactation, and overall health.

Feeding Schedule

• Kids (0-3 months): Start with milk (colostrum) during the first few days, then transition to milk replacers or creep feed (high-quality starter feed) from 2 weeks onward.
• Growing Goats (3-6 months): Roughage should form 60% of their diet, and concentrates 40%.
• Adult Goats: For maintenance, roughage should make up 50-60% of their diet, and concentrates 40-50%.
• Lactating Does: Additional concentrates and energy-rich feed should be provided to enhance milk production.

4. Breeding Management

Effective breeding practices are necessary to ensure a sustainable and productive herd.

Reproductive Cycle

• Estrous Cycle: 18–21 days.
• Estrus Duration: 24–36 hours.
• Gestation Period: 150 days (approximately 5 months).

Mating Systems

1. Natural Mating: One buck can mate with 20–30 does during the peak estrus period. Bucks should be rotated to prevent overbreeding and to maintain their fertility.
2. Artificial Insemination (AI): AI is used to improve genetic quality and enhance desirable traits (like higher milk yield or disease resistance). AI is also used in situations where natural mating is not possible due to geographical constraints.

Kidding (Birth) Care

• Kidding Pen: Ensure a clean, dry pen for the doe to give birth. It should have proper ventilation and bedding to reduce the risk of infections.
• Assistance: Some goats may require assistance during birth (especially if they have multiple kids). If necessary, help the doe deliver, but avoid undue stress.
• Colostrum: Ensure that the newborn kid consumes colostrum (the first milk) within the first 2 hours after birth. Colostrum is rich in antibodies, essential for the kid’s immune system.

5. Health Care and Disease Management

Goats are prone to various diseases and health issues, so regular health checks and disease prevention measures are essential.

Common Diseases and Prevention

Vaccination Schedule

• PPR Vaccine: 3-6 months of age, then annually.
• Enterotoxemia: 2 months of age, then every 6 months.
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Every 6 months.

Deworming Schedule

• Kids: Deworm every 2–3 months until 6 months of age.
• Adult Goats: Deworm every 4–6 months.

6. General Management Practices

Other management practices help maintain the health, welfare, and productivity of the herd.

• Hoof Trimming: Trim goat hooves every 2–3 months to avoid foot problems like foot rot.
• Weaning: Weaning should take place at 8-10 weeks to ensure proper growth and reduce dependency on milk.
• Castration: Male kids should be castrated at 4-6 weeks of age to improve meat quality and reduce aggressive behavior.
• Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records for breeding, health management, and milk/meat production.

7. Marketing and Economics Goat farming can be profitable, especially if proper marketing strategies are followed.

Products from Goats Meat (Chevon): Popular in many parts of the world, especially in South Asia