Goat Management

Goat Management Algeron J. Deterala MSA AnSc – Student

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION GOAT farming is gaining ground in the Philippines. "Goats are very popular among Filipinos because they require low initial capital investment, fit the small hold farm conditions, and multiply fast," explained the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) in its investment briefer.

However, before transforming goat raising into a business, one must also consider other important factors

However, before transforming goat raising into a business, one must also consider other important factors such as climatic condition, availability of food resources, market access, and many other things. It may require a lot of work and demand most of your time, but all of these will be worth it when you are already reaping what you sow.

Goat Industry Performance (Bureau of Agricultural Statistics)

Goat Industry Performance (Bureau of Agricultural Statistics) As of July 1, 2013, total goat inventory stood at 3.67 million heads. This showed a drop by 1.21 percent from the previous year’s inventory of 3.72 million heads. Of the total inventory, about 3.61 million heads or 98.32 percent were raised in backyard farms. The rest were in commercial farms.

Goat production from January to June 2013 was 36.63 thousand metric tons live weight. This was 0.43 perce

Goat production from January to June 2013 was 36.63 thousand metric tons live weight. This was 0.43 percent lower than last year’s record of 36.79 thousand metric tons live weight.

The average farm gate price of live goat during the first half of 2013 increased by 3.61 percent or from

The average farm gate price of live goat during the first half of 2013 increased by 3.61 percent or from P101.54 per kilogram in 2012 to P105.21 per kilogram in 2013.

Percentage distribution of goat production by island group and region, 2012

Luzon contributes 39.06% in the country’s goat production, Mindanao contributes 38.02% while Visayas contributes 22.93% in 2012. The top two producing provinces in Luzon are Ilocos and Central Luzon; in Mindanao are Northern Mindanao and SOCCSKSARGEN; and in Visayas are Central and Western Visayas. They contribute from 8.36% to 13.83% of the country’s total production in 2012

Percentage distribution of goat production by island group and region, 2012 Percentage Distribution of Goat Production | | | | | Area | % | Area | % | Area | % Luzon | 39.06 | Visayas | 22.94 | Mindanao | 38.01 CAR | 1.16 | Western Visayas | 9.42 | Zamboanga Peninsula | 4.84 Ilocos Region | 13.83 | Central Visayas | 11.82 | Northern Mindanao | 9.04 Cagayan Valley | 2.48 | Eastern Visayas | 1.70 | Davao Region | 8.29

Central Luzon | 10.52 | | | SOCCSKSARGEN | 8.36 CALABARZON | 4.31 | | | Caraga | 1.47 MIMAROPA | 3.17 | | | ARRM | 6.01 Bicol Region | 3.59 | | | |

SELECTION CRITERIA

SELECTION CRITERIA 1.Does should be purchased from a locality or area with similar climatic conditions; 2.Native or graded does should not be less than 25 kilo grams; 3.Udder should be palpated for size, detection of lumps, and other abnormalities; 4.Teats should be uniform at length and large enough f or easy milking; 5.It must have a good appetite, possessing alert eyes, and well formed pupils; and

6. Do not buy breeders from markets;

6. Do not buy breeders from markets; 1.One year old breeder or buck that have successfully mated once is desirable; 2.Acquired buck should be accompanied by pedigree 3.It must have a good producing line based from farm 4. Buck must come from doe with high twinning rate; 5. Buck must be active and ready to breed in-heat doe; 6. Replace buck, preferably, every three years

Speaker notes: Pedigree- a document to record ancestry, purebred animal

Whether on range or confined feeding, housing provisions are necessary.

Whether on range or confined feeding, housing provisions are necessary. A goat house or shed must be built to provide shelter. Goats are afraid of rain and wetness as these make them prone to pneumonia. Goats also prefer sleeping in elevated platforms like a stair type arrangement. It must be well ventilated and drained, and easy to clean.

Feeding racks (silage, water, mineral and concentrate) should be accessible to both animals and caretaker

Feeding racks (silage, water, mineral and concentrate) should be accessible to both animals and caretaker, preferably in the front of the aisle. Flooring should be provided and elevated at least 15 degrees to facilitate cleaning and drainage. Separate pens should be provided for lactating and dry does, kids, growers and bucks.

The buck pen should be visible to breeding does yet far enough to avoid transfer of the typical goat smell especially to lactating does when milk is to be sold.

Space Requirement for Goats:

Space Requirement for Goats: Goats | Flooring (meter sq) | Feeder (Linear cm) Does /Bucks /Adults | 0.75-1.50 | 15.24-25.40 Growing | 0.50-0.75 | 10.16-15.24 Kids | 0.20-0.50 | 7.62-12. 70

Sample Goat Houses

Sample Goat Houses

Speaker notes: Loafing area-for pass time at leisure; idle.

A fenced loafing area beside the goat house must be provided (100 to 150 m2/50 hd. ), complete with feeding racks and water troughs, to allow animals to loaf freely. Flooring of the area must be cemented to facilitate drying. Cogon and nipa as roof materials are preferred in hot and humid areas. Ventilation is of utmost importance.

Majority of pneumonia cases can be traced to excessively warm and humid interior and sudden changes in temperature. Speaker notes: Loafing area-for pass time at leisure; idle.

It has been established that above 30°C ruminants are inhibited from eating.

Allow a 0.5 to 1 ft clearance between floor to wall and wall to beam to create an adequate circulation and to lower draft. It is desirable to maintain an interior temperature of 28 to 30°C. It has been established that above 30°C ruminants are inhibited from eating. Lighting may also be provided in the barns during the night. Goats consume up to 30% of the day’s intake during the night when light is provided.

Nine-eye hog wire is the cheapest and most effective fencing available locally. Posts must be staked ever

Nine-eye hog wire is the cheapest and most effective fencing available locally. Posts must be staked every 2 meters. Goats are fond of pounding their feet and scraping their bodies on the fences so it must be sturdily built. Barbwire fencing requires a minimum of four strands so it becomes more costly besides making goats prone to wounds.