METHODS OF GOAT MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT OF GOAT

The management of goat from breeding to market weight or size is grouped into three phases. These are:
(i) from breeding to kidding,
(ii) from kidding (birth of kid) to weaning
(iii) from weaning to finishing (market size).

BREEDING IN GOAT

Buck and doe meant for breeding are kept in a building which is well ventilated, railed and walled. The floors should be made with concrete and the roof with corrugated iron sheets
Buck and doe should be at least 12months of age before they are used for breeding. Seven to ten days of mating, the doe should be given a high plane of nutrition in order to increase the number of kids ovulated, and consequently, an increase in the number of kids to be given birth to. This process of increasing the feed intake of goat is called flushing.

Before flushing, it is advisable to deworm the goats to get rid of endo-parasites. The buck is brought to mate the doe (hand mating) during the heat period.
The gestation period of the doe is about 145 – 150days. During the gestation period, the doe days. During the gestation period, the doe should be allowed to graze in the pasture and supplementary feeds in form of concentrates should fed to the doe. Clean drinkable water should also be provided for the doe.

Few days to parturition, adequate sanitation, comfortable bedding and clean water should be provided. Signs of approaching parturition include mucus discharge from vulva, undue noise making, frequent urination and restlessness. At kidding, the doe should not be disturbed unless in case of difficult kidding during which the attendant can render some help to save the doe and the kid.

BIRTH OF KID TO WEANING

When the kid is born, mucus membrane is wiped from their nose to enhance normal breathing prevent suffocation. The navel cord which can break off on its own is dipped in iodine solution to prevent infection and to promote fast healing. The doe is allowed to lick up the mucus from the body of the kid because it derives satisfaction from it and it also promotes milk let-down. The placenta, which should come out few hours after birth should be disposed of and the pen cleaned. The udder should be washed and disinfected.

The feed intake of the doe should be increased to promote easy production of milk to feed the kid. At about two weeks of age, creep feed, which is rich in protein, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins should be given to the kid. This promotes rapid growth of the kid and early weaning.

Kids not required for breeding are castrated to prevent indiscriminate mating. Identification marks, either by branding, tattooing or ear notching, should be given old. The kids should also be vaccinated against foot and mouth disease, rinderpest and anthrax diseases.

During weaning, the kids should be introduced to roughages in order to promote the functioning of the rumen. Throughout this period, high level of sanitation has to be maintained to prevent diseases and parasitic infection.

Weaning to Finishing or Market Size

The kids are weaned and separated from the doe at about eight weeks of age. They are kept in the growing house from where they can go out to browse and graze on grasses and legumes.
The semi-intensive system is the best method of rearing goat in Nigeria. In addition to the roughages they feed on by rotational grazing, supplementary yam and banana peelings and other household wastes can be given to the goat to feed on. Salt licks, which is rich in minerals and vitamins as well as cool and clean water should be provided regularly.

In order to prevent parasitic infestation, good sanitary conditions has to be maintained through regular dipping of the animals in chemical solution, to eradicate ecto-parasites, and regular deworming with lead arsenate or phenothiazine using drenching gun to administer the dewormer which kills endo-parasites like tapeworm and ascaris.

The vaccination programme on rinderpest, brucellosis, foot and mouth, and anthrax diseases should be repeated.
With good housing, feeding and healthcare, the goat will mature within four to six months

HERE YOU WILL FIND EVERY AVAILABLE TOPICS ABOUT AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY. AND THE LINKS TO THEIR VARIOUS SOURCES.
1

1. SILAGE
2. PASTURE
3. TYPES OF PASTURE
   COMMON GRASSES AND LEGUMES
4. GRASSES
5. LEGUMES
6. ESTABLISHMENT OF PASTURES
7. 1. FORAGE PRESERVATION
8. HAY SILAGE
9. FORESTRY IMPORTANCE OF FORESTRY 206. FOREST MANAGEMENT FOREST REGULATION DEFORESTATION AFFORESTATION
10. DISEASES AND PESTS OF CROPS
11. MAIZE SMUT
12. RICE BLAST
13. MAIZE RUST
14. LEAF SPOT OF GROUNDNUT
15. COW-PEA MOSAIC
16. COCOA BLACK POD DISEASE

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1. BALANCED DIETS
   141. LACTATION DIETS
   142. MALNUTRITION
2. RINDER PESTS
   148. NEWCASTLE DISEASE
   149. BACTERIA DISEASES
   150. ANTHRAX
   151. BRUCELLOSIS
   152. TUBERCULOSIS
   153. FUNGAL DISEASES
3. PROTOZOAN DISEASES
   155. TRYPONOSOMIASIS

   159. TAPE WORM
   160. ROUND WORM OF PIGS
   161. LIVER FLUKE
   162. ECTO PARASITES
   163. TICK