Learning the basics of goat farming is very important for any producer who wants to start a goat farming business at the family or commercial level.
Although raising goats is very easy and simple. But for commercial and profitable production, they need extra care and management.
And this additional care and management will be very easy, simple and enjoyable for you if you know the basics of goat keeping.
Goats require a minimum than other domestic animals like cattle or sheep. Usually goats are raised for milk, meat, hair/fiber or just for show.
Whatever the crop, they must be healthy, productive and safe from predators and other pests.
For healthy and productive management they need suitable and adequate ground for observation, shelter to keep them safe in bad weather, shade, a good housing system for overnight stays , field fencing, a fresh, clean water source, regular nutritious food management, and more. The main thing is regular veterinary care.
Certain animal pests for goats, such as dog fences, are also very important.
However, I have tried to outline the basics of goat keeping here, including choosing the right breeds, feeding, milking, housing, grazing, veterinary care, record keeping, etc. .
The basics of goat farming
A successful goat farming business requires many tasks to complete. But here are the basics of goat farming that are necessary for this agro-industry.
Breed Selection
Choosing the right breeds of goats for your farm depends on the desired production (the products you want to produce on your farm).
You can choose meat goats if you only want to raise meat goats on your farm. Boer, beet, and others are meat-producing breeds of goats.
For dairy production, you can choose Alpine, Anglo-Nubian or Jamunapar goats. Angora goats are very suitable for hair/fiber production.
And dwarf goats are usually bred as show animals. You should select goat breeds based on desired production and local goat-rearing capacity.
some products
Goats are ruminants. They eat almost anything they find edible in front of them.
Their digestive system is very well adapted to facilitate the processing of plant residues. Even they can also consume and digest unpleasant vegetation like thistles and nettles.
Goats generally like weeds and leaves to eat from top to bottom. This type of top-down feeding is simply known as navigation. And the feeding style of cattle and sheep is known as grazing.
Wearing goatee helps a lot in protecting them from worms and parasitic insects.
In addition to pet watching, goats also need special types of feed ingredients.
Always pay close attention to the presence of food ingredients in your usual diet. Try adding different flavors to their food.
And always give them enough clean and fresh water daily according to their needs.
Shelter
A good house or shelter protects the goat. They can walk inside the shelter while it is raining heavily outside. You can also make a shadow for relaxation.
On a family farm, you don’t need to make a separate house for your goats. You can easily keep your goats with other pets like sheep or cattle.
But for commercial purposes, a separate housing system is a must. When you build a house for your goats, make sure they have enough air and light in their house.
fencing
The fence is very important for goat breeding. A good fence can protect your animals from other pests.
And also discourage goats from leaving the farm. Plain or electric wire is very suitable for fencing your site.
reproduction
Currently, most modern goat producers use artificial insemination for breeding purposes.
And it’s more efficient than natural breeding. When purchasing breeds of goats from another farm or other breeders, check their breeding records and select a healthy one.
Veterinary care
Before starting a goat farming business, make sure that all types of veterinary care and services are available in your area.
In the period before or after production, goats can be infected with various diseases.
If you have the proper veterinary care and services in your area, you can easily manage these diseases and keep your pets healthy.
Accounting
Always keep a record of your farm activities. Keep track of the total costs and profits of selling farm produce.
This will help you determine if your farming business is profitable enough.
These are the basics of goat breeding. Nothing is perfect. So, in addition to these factors, try to know many goat producers. Because nothing can affect the actual user experience. Good luck!
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