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Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Figure 10.6: Feeding goats
In the pastures, goats prefer shrubs (browsing) to grasses. The pastures should be
composed of both grass and browse plants to increase forage intake. They can also
be offered crop residues as additional feed. For more dairy goat feeds and feeding
information, make reference to Chapter Five of this book on feeding of livestock.
Management of health

Good health and hence optimal production of milk from the animal is achieved
where there is a disease control programme. Under the assistance of livestock expert,
such programmes can be developed. This will involve vaccination against endemic
goat diseases like Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), Foot and Mouth
Disease (FMD) and other diseases. The programme should also show de-worming
periods and ecto-parasite control measures. Various de-wormers and acaricide
formulations are available in the market which could be used according to advises
from livestock experts. Deworming is generally done at three months interval while
dipping or spraying to control ecto-parasite is done in accordance to manufacturer’s
recommendation and intesity of infestation. The detailed management is elaborated
in Chapter Six of this book on management of livestock health.

Mating
Goats become sexually mature (puberty stage) at the age of about 5 months. Cycles
of heat period also called oestrus cycles occur at an interval of 18 - 21 days and lasts
about 24 - 48 hours. For good results, the following should be done:
(a) Allow goats to mate for the first time at the age of 7 - 8 months.
(b) Before mating, you need to flush (feeding the female goats extra concentrate
before mating) especially if the animal is on poor body condition.

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