(a) Discuss the management of goats under the following headings:
(i) breeding;
(ii) care of kids;
(iii) identification;
(iv) castration.
Explanation
(a) Management of goats
(i) Breeding
- Goats should be bred when they are at least 8-9 months old for the male and 12-15 months for the female/attainment of puberty
- Unwanted males should be castrated or disposed of while good
- males are retained
- Males should be separated from females at weaning stage where
- possible
- Female should be flushed before mating
- One buck can mate eighteen to twenty five does
- Signs of heat should be identified/observed
(ii) Care of kids
- Clean the mucous membrane when the kid is born
- Dip navel of the kid in Iodine solution
- Provide warmth when necessary
- Ensure that kids suckle or are provided with colostrum
- Provide foster mother or milk substitute if necessary
- Introduce kids to solid feed/weaning at six to eight weeks
- Provide creep feed
- Provide salt lick
- Maintain proper sanitation
- Undertake routine medication/vaccination
- Isolate sick animals
- Castrate kids not required for breeding
- Isolate dam and kid from the herd to avoid trampling
- Separate kids from dams during grazing periods
(iii) Identification
- Determine the appropriate identification method e.g. ear notching,
- ear tagging, neck chaining, collar paint, branding, body/hair cutting
- Ensure proper record of animals for breeding, culling, selection,
- medication purposes
- Inspect the animals regularly to ensure that their identification
- marks are intact
- Replace lost identities/re-embossed faded marks
- Prompt treatment of injuries that may arise during and after identification process
(iv) Castration
- Male kids not required for breeding should be castrated
- Castration should be done before four months old
- Determine the type of castration to be carried out e.g. close castration,
- using the burdizzo or elastrator or open castration, using sterilized sharp knife
- or blade or scarpel
- Isolate castrated goats from the herd for close monitoring
- During the healing process ensure regular cleaning of the wound
- with appropriate antiseptics
- Administer prescribed drugs to goat after castration
- Ensure that animal is kept on high plane of nutrition during the
- period of castration
- Supply clean water regularly
- Ensure proper sanitation in pens where castrated goats are kept
- Close monitoring of the animal to determine the effectiveness of
- the castration