The ATI-RTC 8 wishes to recognize the following individual who were consulted and contributed to the

making of the module on organic agriculture production technologies.

Module Developers and Content Contributors

1. Engr. Pruto A. Owner/ Alangalang Andreley’s Farm
Adora Technical Staff
2. Ms. Rose Ann Jane Technical Staff Tacloban City Pitahaya Farms
M. Goles
3. Mr. Jefrey Espinazo Technical Staff Caibiran Canaan Hill Farms
4. Dr. Floro Owner/ Babatngon Balay ni Tatay
Camnforte Manager

Partner-LS for the Participatory Module Evaluation

Softea Garden, Biliran, Biliran

Subject Matter Specialists

Franklyn L. Diongzon
Dr. Vilma M. Patindol
Dalmacio L. Pajanustan
Allen P. Goroy
Ma. Lourdes F. Palconit

Language Editor
Melinda P. Petalcorin

Lay-out Artist
Benjamin B. Lagaday

Overall In-charge on OA Module Development

Graciel V. Gacutan

Overall Supervision
Dr. Carlos De La Cruz
Jayson Fabillar
Center Director Hazel Grace T. Taganas
Regional Executive Director Angel I. Enriquez

Page 2 of 63
MODULE OVERVIEW

Farmers nowadays are into integrated diversified farming. Incorporating livestock or animal husbandry to
crop production gives the farmer an opportunity to be more profitable. and making use of the
complementation to every component they put in their farm.

In organic farming, goat production is one of the recommended livestock that can complement in an
integrated farm. Aside from being easy to manage and goat are organic by nature, the droppings of goats
contain higher nutrients than farmyard manure. Further, goat production is also a promising industry.
According to DOST-PCAARRD despite the low production level, demand for goat meat is robust, as goats
slaughtered has always been higher than kids born alive. At present, farm gate and carcass prices of goat
are high, even higher than prices of beef.

To help drive the goat production into viable enterprise, this module has been made to help the participants
to be enhance their proficiency, skills and knowledge in the basics of organic goat raising.

MODULE OBJECTIVE:

After this module, the participants should be able to raise organic goats in their farms.

COURSE DURATION

This is a fifteen (15) hours course.

MODULE COVERAGE:

Lesson 1. Understanding the Potentials of the Goat Industry

A. Industry status
B. Why invest in goat
C. What makes goat raising Advantageous
D. Technological options
E. Constraints
F. Prospects and Opportunities

Lesson 2: Feed Resources and Production System

A. Feed Resources
B. Selecting the Right Forages
C. Establishment and Management of Feed Resources
D. Production System

Lesson 3: Site Selection and Goat Pen

A. Site Selection
B. Types of Goat Pen
C. Space Requirement

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Lesson 4: Breeds & Breeding
A. Types of Breeds
B. Breeding

Lesson 5: Animal Care and Management

1. Care and Management of Goat
2. Routine Husbandry Management
3. Waste Management

Lesson 6: Healthcare and Nutrition

A. Basic Concept in Health Management
B. Goat Abnormalities
C. Essential Practice in Maintaining a Healthy Herd
D. Biosecurity Protocols for Goat Farms
E. Nutrition
F. Making Silage

Page 4 of 63
 MODULE DELIVERY PLAN
Module Objective: After this module, the participants should be able to raise organic goat production.

Learning Objectives Topic/Sub-topics Time Strategy/Method Instructional Materials Expected

Allocation Technique Output
At the end of the Lesson 1. Understanding the Potentials of 1.5 hour AV Presentation, DLP, Laptop,Power
lesson, the participants the Goat Industry Lecture/Discussion, Point presentation
should be able to A. Industry status Participatory
discuss the advantages B. Why invest in goat Discussion
and potentials of the C. What makes goat raising
goat industry. advantageous
D. Technological options
E. Constraints
F. Prospects and Opportunities

At the end of the Lesson 2: Feed Resources and Production 3 hours AV Presentation, DLP, Laptop,Power Forage
lesson, the participants System Lecture/Discussion, Point presentation Development
should be able to: A. Feed Resources Participatory Plan
1. discuss the feed -Feed resources assessment Discussion
resources; and B. Selecting the Right Forages List of forages
2. enumerate and C. Establishment and Management with nutritional
classify different of Feed Resources content
kinds of forages D. Production System
and its production • Free grazing
system. • Rapid rotational
grazing/tethering
(RRG/RRT)
• Tethering
• Partial confinement
• Stall feeding/ Complete
Confinement
• Integrated system

Page 5 of 63
At the end of the Lesson 3: Site Selection and Goat Pen 1.5 hour AV Presentation, DLP, Laptop,Power Farm Plan
lesson, the participants A. Site Selection Lecture/Discussion, Point presentation
should be able to: B. Types of Goat Pen Participatory
1. discuss the factors -Pen facilities Discussion,
to be considered in C. Space Requirement
site selection;
2. list the types of
goat pen; and
3. describe the space
requirement.

At the end of the Lesson 4: Breeds and Breeding 3 hours AV Presentation, DLP, Laptop,Power
lesson, the participants A. Types of Breeds Lecture/Discussion, Point presentation
should be able to: -Foundation stock Participatory
1. identify the -Good breeder Discussion
common local B. Breeding
breeds of goats; -Basic concepts in breeding
2. enumerate the -Systems of breeding
breeding system; -Upgrading stocks
and C. Goat abnormalities
3. identify goat
abnormalities.

At the end of the Lesson 5. Animal Care and Management 3 hours AV Presentation, DLP, Laptop,Power
lesson, the participants A. Care and Management of Goat Lecture/Discussion, Point presentation
should be able to: B. Routine Husbandry Management Participatory
1. discuss the a. Navel or umbilical cord Discussion
importance of cutting
animal care and b. Disbudding/Dehorning
management; c. Ear Tagging with unified ID
2. enumerate the system
husbandry d. Hoof trimming
management; and e. Castration

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3. describe waste f. Milking
management g. Culling
practices C. Waste Management
-Composting
-Vermicomposting
-Vermitea

At the end of the Lesson 6. Healthcare and Nutrition 3 hours AV Presentation, DLP, Laptop,Power Properly
lesson, the participants A. Basic Concept in Health Lecture/Discussion, Point presentation, Collected Fecal
should be able to: Management Participatory, Fecal samples Samples
1. discuss the health B. Essential Practice in Maintaining Demonstration
management and a Healthy Herd Discussion Silage
practices in C. Biosecurity Protocols for Goat
maintaining a Farms
healthy herd; -Procedure in the Collection of
2. explain the Fecal Sample
biosecurity D. Nutrition
protocols for goat E. What is Silage
farms; -How to prepare silage
3. describe the
nutritional
requirements of
goat; and
4. formulate feeds
from natural
sources with
desired nutrient
requirements of
the animals;

Page 7 of 63
 Lesson 1:
Understanding the Potentials of the Goat Industry

This lesson discusses the aspects of the different opportunities and potentials of the goat industry.

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the participants should be able to discuss the advantages and potentials of
the goat industry. Specifically, the participants should be able to:

1. discuss the industry status;

2. explain why invest in goat;
3. discuss the comparative advantage of raising goat;
4. describe the technological options; and
5. explain the prospects and opportunities of raising goats.

Time Allotment : 1 hour

Methodologies : AV Presentation, Lecture, Group activity, Discussion, Participatory approach
Tools to use : DLP, Laptop, Power Point presentation

Lesson Opener
OPENER
Title : Winning in the Lotto
Time Allotment : 15 minutes
Materials Needed : PowerPoint Presentation
Procedure:
1. Introduce the activity “Winning in the Lotto.”.
2. Form small groups of 5-7 participants/group.
3. Give each group 10 minutes to reflect, discuss, and finalize their plans.
4. Answer the given table
5. Make them choose a member to discuss their activity

Mood Setting:

Ikaw ay isang magsasakang kumikita sa pag tatanim ng palay at mangga para sa iyong
kabuhayan. Bawat taon, kumikita ka ng ₱25,000 sa palay at mga ₱ 15,000 sa manggahan kung
saan kayo ng iyong mag-anak ay nakitira.

Lima ang inyong anak ta ang iyong panganay lamang ang nakakapag-aral. Ang apat mong anak,
bagaman, nasa wastong gulang na ay hindi nakakapag-aral dahil sa kahirapan. Ang iyong maybahay
ay wala rin trabaho at naiiwan sa bahay para mag-alaga ng mga bata.
Matagal mo nang pinapangarap na magkaroon ng suplementong kabuhayan, isang negosyo na
makapag-bibigay sa inyo ng dagdag na kita. Pinag-iisipan mong mag-alaga ng hayop sa loob ng
inyong manggahan sapagkat ang iyong mga kapitbahay ay may kalabaw, baka, at ilang kambing.
Sa di inaasahang pagkakataon, ikaw ay nanalo sa lotto ng ₱1,000,000. Saan mo gagamitin ang
premyong ito at bakit?

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 Animal Investment Cost of Fit in Overall Contribution Market Disease Organic
Housing Farming Expense to Nutrition Production
System
Duck
Broiler
Layer
Fattener
(pig)
Breeder
Beef
Cattle
Carabao
Goat
Sheep

Processing:
Ask the participants the following questions:
1. How do you relate in the activity?
2. Is there any chance that you received unexpected money?
3. What is your insight on the activity?

Key Concepts:
Determining what livestock to raise before farming is extremely important. Knowing the basic
information in different aspect is also a key to successful farming.

Connecting/Transition Statement to the Lesson:

In farming, there are plenty of things to consider in raising livestock that is why we need to evaluate
to determine if goat raising is appropriate for a successful farming. In this lesson we`ll understand
more the potentials of the goat industry.

Lesson Proper

Goats are among the first form animals to be domesticated. Due to their great adaptability to difficult
environment conditions and to different diets, they are always considered to be very useful animals.
They have good productivity and are easy to handle. They also do not compete with human for food
and eat cheap feeds.

Potential of goats for the sustainable supply of milk and meat for human consumption is
unquestionable, and their contribution to improve the nutrition of rural populations is likely to increase.

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A. Industry Status

Ask the participants “what is your perception in Goat Raising?”

Answer can be:
- poor man’s cow
- source
- smallhold property low income
- less maintenance requirement
- animal for special occasion
- destructive animal

“Are we raising goat for profits?”

B. Why Invest in Goat

- require only a small initial investment

- the risk of loss is also small
- can easily be integrated with crop-based farming
- goat farming is an attractive livelihood among rural farm families

C. What Makes Goat Raising Advantageous?

- with inherent advantage over other ruminant species as they mature earlier, have higher
fertility, with shorter gestation
- source of meat, milk and skin for processing into high value products
- goat meat (chevon) is popular for certain delicacies such as “kilawen, papaitan, and caldereta”.
- women and children can easily participate in goat production
- can thrive and survive in dry season
- manure can also be used as fertilizer

D. Technological Options

- Upgrading of native stocks

- Effective (diseases and parasite control/ eradication) health programs
- Adoption of balance feeding technique
- Proper housing
- Sustainable organic production of improved forage grasses and legumes

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E. Constraints

Problems that hampers the productivity and full development of the goat subsector need to be urgently
addressed. The following are some of the problems/constraints:

- Lack of and high cost of quality breeder stocks

- High mortality rate at preweaning stage
- Endoparasitism and development of anthelmintic resistance
- Absence of a defined breeding program
- Socioeconomic problems (e.g., land ownership, lack of institutional credit facilities, undefined
marketing system, among others)

F. Prospects and Opportunities

- Demand for meat is high, however, the supply is low

- Price per head per kilogram is increasing per year
- Chevon, just like beef, can be prepared into wide array of palatable dishes
- Goat milk has its own niche market
- Goat raising offers a good source of sustained income to rural enterprises
- Technologies on improved goat production and meat/milk/skin processing are also available

Summary of the Lesson

The livestock, the backbone of the agriculture sector, is often maligned, but it still plays a vital role in
the economy by providing valuable organic animal proteins and its by-products.

Raising organic goats has unique challenges because they are generally in rural, isolated communities.
This provides opportunity because they produce products for human consumption. Therefore, they do
not compete with other sectors or industries. Additionally, goat farming will have many challenges such
as climate change, food security, fluctuating prices, resource use efficiency and shrinking rural
populations.

This lesson will potentially benefit everyone in the industry. For example, making production better for
the environment, making animals healthier and making products tastier and healthier will potentially
benefit the animals, farmers, processors and consumers.

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 Self-Assessment Question

DIRECTIONS: Please answer the following questions below:

1. Give two examples of perception in goat raising.

______________________
______________________

2. Why invest in goat? Give two examples.

____________________
____________________

3. List two examples why raising goat is an adavantage?

____________________
____________________

4. What are the technical options in raising goat? List two examples.
____________________
____________________

5. Give two examples of prospects and opportunities in raising goat.

____________________
____________________

Self-Assessment Question
Answer Key

DIRECTIONS: Please answer the following questions below:

1. List two examples of perception in goat raising.
Answers:
1. poor man’s cow
2. source
3. smallhold property low income
4. less maintenance requirement
5. animal for special occasion
6. destructive animal

2. Why invest in goat? Give two examples.

Answers:
1. require only a small initial investment
2. the risk of loss is also small

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 3. can easily integrated with crop-based farming
4. goat farming is an attractive proposition among rural farm families

3. List two examples why raising goat is an advantage?

Answers:
1. with inherent advantage over other ruminant species as they mature earlier, have
higher fertility, with shorter gestation
2. source of meat, milk and skin for processing into high value products
3. goat meat (chevon) is popular for certain delicacies such as “kilawen, papaitan, and
caldereta”.
4. women and children can easily participate in goat production
5. can thrive and survive in dry season
6. manure can also use as fertilizer

4. What are the technical options in raising goat? List two examples.
Answers:
1. Upgrading of native stocks
2. Effective diseases and parasite control/ eradication programs
3. Adaption of feeding technique
4. Proper housing
5. Sustainable organic production of improved forage grasses and legumes

5. Give two examples of prospects and opportunities in raising goat.

Answers:
1. Demand for meat is high however, the supply is low
2. Price per head per kilogram is increasing per year
3. Chevon, just like beef, can be prepared into wide array of palatable dishes
4. Goat milk has its own niche market
5. Goat raising offers a good source of sustained income to rural enterprises
6. Technologies on improved goat production and meat/milk/skin processing are also
available.

References

• PCAARRD Training Module Series No. 5/2014

• PCAARRD Training Module Series No. 5/2014
• Goat Raising; [Link]
• Why Invest in Goat, [Link]

Page 13 of 63
 Lesson 2:
Feed Resources and Production System

This lesson discusses the different types of forages and how to establish the feed resources. It also
includes the topics on how to improve and manage the available forages in the area and know the
importance of its production system in goat farming.

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the participants should be able to discuss the feed requirements of goat and
its production system. Specifically, the participants should be able to:

1. identify the different types of feed resources for goats;

2. calculate the needed pasture area needed for raising a specified number of goats;
3. discuss the uses of forages and identify the nutritional value of forages;
4. describe the proper propagation of forages; and
5. identify the requirements for adopting the different production systems for goats.

Time Allotment : 2 hours

Methodologies : AV Presentation, Discussion, Participatory approach
Tools to use : DLP, Laptop, Powerpoint presentation

Lesson Opener
Title : Forage grass identification
Time Allotment : 10 minutes
Materials Needed : Blackboard/whiteboard, Real forages, Adhesive tapes, Marking pen, Manila
Paper, straw, scissors, Powerpoint presentation

Procedure:
1. Group the participants into four
2. Let them identify the different forages in the Power Point
3. In a manila paper let them write the name of each forages and identify if it is available in their
area.
4. Ask each group to post their outputs on the wall.
5. Make them choose a member to discuss the activity
Examples.

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Processing:
Ask the participants the following questions:
1. Who’s group got the highest number of correct answer?
2. What makes the other group hard to get the correct answer?
3. What is your insight about the activity?

Key Concept:
When feeds are limited, goats can never achieve their production potential.

Connecting/Transition Statement to the Lesson:

To know the different kinds of forages and improve the feed resource-base within the farm, let`s
discuss more about in this lesson.

Lesson Proper
A. Feed Resources

Developing your feed resources and ensuring their year round availability is the most stage in
establishing a goat enterprise. When feeds are limited, goats will never achieve their production
potential. The basic resources that is locally available are the forages. Let us try to identify the different
kinds of forages.

Types of Feed Resources:

1. Forages – plants or parts of plants eaten by goats

2. Crop Residues – waste products from crop production

Comparison of feed resources

Feed Resource Advantage Limitations

Forages Easy to use Need to be managed for
Cheap to introduce sustained feed availability
Crop residues Cheap Seasonal availability
Often have low feeding value

Ask the participant to get a piece of paper and ballpen and help them assess the feed resource by
asking these questions:

Feeds Resource Assessment

1. How much feed is available?
Estimating available forage
Area: 1,000 sq.m.
- Edible fresh forage yield : 1 kg/sq.m. (quadrat)
- Expected no. of cuts/year ; 6 (cut every 2 months)
- Available forage / year = 1 kg x 1,000 sq.m. x 6 cuts/sq.m.
= 6,000 kg / yr in 1,000 sq.m.

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 2. How much feed is needed?
Estimating how much forage is needed
- Ave. weight of goat: 30kg
- Dry matter (DM) of feed required / goat : 3% of body wt.
= 30 kg x .03
= 0.9 kg DM
- DM content of edible forage : 20%
- Fresh forage required – 0.9 kg ÷ 0.2
= 4.5 kg / goat /day
- Allowance for wastage = 0.5 kg
- Fresh forage to offer (kg) = 4.5 + 0.5
= 5.0 kg / day
- 365 days x 5 kg/day = 1,825 kg/yr

3. How many goats can be raised?

Estimate:
- Fresh forage available : 6,000 kg/yr
- Fresh storage required : 1,825 kg/yr
- No. of goats (carrying capacity) = 6,000 ÷ 1,825
= 3.3 goats / 1,000 sq.m.
- For 1 hectare (10,000 sq.m.) = 33 goats

4. How do you improve feed resources?

- Improve management of existing feed resources
- Establish additional forage areas within the farm
- Change existing forages
- Utilize crop residues and by-products available within the farm

B. Selecting the Right Forages

Activity 1: FORAGE GRASS IDENTIFICATION (10 minutes)

1. Group the participants into four
2. Let them identify the different forages in the table
3. Write the name of each forages in Manila paper
4. Make them choose a member to discuss the activity

Let’s be familiar with them!

Forages are plants or parts of plants eaten by livestock (cows, horses, sheep, goats), and wildlife. There
are many different types of forages. Some of the most known in the country are listed below:

1. Rensonii
- Crude Protein : 23%
- Can be fed to
animals in fresh
form, fermented or
process into mash

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2. Flemingia
- Also known as “Malabalatong”
- Crude Protein : 22.7%
- Natural dewormer for livestock
- Can be fed to animals in fresh
form, fermented or process into
mash
- Method of propagation is by
seeds

3. Trichantera/Madre de Agua
- Trichantera Gigantea, also known as
Madre de Agua
- Originated from Columbia and
Venezueala
- Potential harvest : 40-60 tons/hectare
- Planting density 6000-10,000
plants/hectare
- Mode of Propagation : Cuttings
- Crude Protein = 32 %
- Can be fed to animals in fresh form,
fermented or process into mash
- Can replace 20%-30% of commercial
pig’s and other livestock diet
- 1 meter planting distance

4. Indigofera
- Crude Protein = 24.8%;
- Digestibility=84.8% (if harvested every
30 days)
- Calcium=2.08%
- Best for lactating animals like milking
goats
- Can be fed to animals in fresh and
fermented form
- Propagation: Seeds or cuttings
-

5. Pakchong 1 (Super Napier)

- Digestibility=95% (if harvested every
45 days)
- Can be fed to animals in fresh and
fermented form;
- Crude Protein = 18%

6. Paragrass
- Perennial, stoloniferous grass
- highly palatable and nutritious
- 10.2% crude protein and 23.6%
crude fiber in fresh grass

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 7. Stargrass
- mostly very palatable when young
- most nutritious when grazed every 4‒5 weeks
- 18% CP

8. Guinea grass
- perennial grass
- it normally contains 8-12% crude protein
and 31% crude fiber
- green fodder yield 70-80 tons/hectare
- grown round the year under assured
irrigation

9. Stylosantes
- legume family
- contains 19.9% CP, 13.3% CF, 9.38% ash,
1.34% EE, and 56.0% NFE, 19.7% DM
- Fabaceae and contains numerous highly
important pasture and forage species.

Other Forages
“The following are some more familiar forages”

- Acacia
- Kakawate / Madre de Cacao
- Sesbania
- Katuray
- Ipil-ipil

Are you familiar with the two types of forage?

Some may answer “yes”, some may answer “no”. For those who answer yes, get their information about
it.

Types of Forages

1. Monocotyledons (commonly referred as

monocots) are flowering plants whose
seeds typically contain only one
embryonic leaf or cotyledon.

Ex. Grasses and Sedges

Characteristic traits of monocots are:

- leaves exhibit parallel venation
- the number of petals, stamens, or other floral parts are in multiples of three (3,6,9)

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 - vascular bundles are scattered through out of the stem
- they have an adventitious root system
- monocots are mostly herbaceous

2. Dicotyledons, or “dicots,” refers to two cotyledons (the first leaves that emerge from the soil).
Broadleaf plants are often referred to as dicots.

Ex. Herbs, shrub, trees

- Deep tap roots – stay green in dry season
- Growing points above the ground – slow regrowth
- Includes legumes – N fixation (protein, soil fertility)

C. Establishment and Management of Feed Resources

Ways of Growing Forages in the Farm

Way of growing Use(s) of forage Types of Forages

cut-and carry plots • easy access to cut feed • erect grasses (medium tall)
• concentrate manure for • shrubs and trees
easy collection
grazed plots • simplify feeding by allowing • low-growing monocots
animals to graze • creeping and rhizomatous
dicots
living fences/ boundaries/ • provide protection • erect grasses (medium tall)
bunds • source of feed especially • shrubs and trees
during dry season
contour hedgegrows • reduce runoff and erosion • erect grasses (medium, tall)
• source of feed • shrubs and trees
improved fallows • restore soil fertility • erect grasses (medium, tall)
• suppress weeds • shrubs and trees
• source of feeds
Cover crops (for both annual • suppress weeds • creeping and twining
and tree crops) • reduce erosions legumes
• improve soil fertility
• source of feed

D. Production System

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For goat raising to be a good investment, the traditional method of raising goats by free grazing and
tethering to the same area everyday has to be improved.

The following options together with an overview of the major resources are needed.

• Production System

1. Free Grazing
- In this system, goats are let loose in open pastures,
vacant lots or crop fields after harvest to enable them
to freely browse any available vegetation for an
unlimited period during the day.
- At night, they are confined in a shed.
- To keep parasite infections minimal, goats are
regularly dewormed.
- This method is ideal if you have a vast area for grazing and no excess labor to tend your
herd.

Advantages
- As the goats have unlimited access to the grazing
area, they can choose from a variety of plant
species and plant parts.
- In a fenced grazing area, the need for labor is
minimized. For unfenced areas, however, labor
is required.
- Only a simple shed is needed because the animals
are grazed during the day; thus capital for pen
construction is minimal.
- The system is not labor-intensive, as animals are
just let loose in the morning then confined at
night.

Disadvantages
- This system may cause inconvenience, as
you have to herd them from the field and
into the shed every time it rains. When the
rain stops, you have to let them out again.
- Risk of parasitism is high, especially if the
animals are made to graze in the same
pasture everyday.
- It requires regular deworming, which could
be costly.
- For mixed herding, where bucks are grazed together with the herd, breeding cannot
be controlled.
- When kidding occurs during grazing, immediate attention cannot be provided.
- Security from thieves, predators and extreme weather conditions cannot be assured.
- Fencing, which is costly, may be necessary. When the area is not fenced, however, you
may need to hire a herdsman, which will entail labor costs.

Below are the list of requirements if one decides to adopt this system:
- Access to a vast land area for grazing with adequate feed resources.

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 - A herdsman to look after the herd grazing in an unfenced area.
- Capital for pen construction, fencing (optional) and dewormer.
- Source of clean drinking water in the grazing area.

2. Rapid Rotational Grazing (RRG)

- This is a modified version of free grazing. This system involves dividing the pasture into
10 or more paddocks and letting goats rotationally graze for 3.5 days.
- In dividing the pasture, it is more important to consider the density of vegetation
present in each partition than dividing the area into 10 paddocks.
- The objective is not just to strategically graze the pasture but also to minimize worm
infection.
- Strongyle worm eggs turn into infective larvae in four days. If ingested by goats, they
develop to full maturity in their digestive tract.
- To break this life cycle, goats, which serve as their host, must be transferred to the next
paddock before the fourth day and the original paddock, rested for a month. It is thus
very critical to plan the division of the farm into paddocks.

3. Rapid Rotational Grazing (RRG) and Paddock Use

- Remember not only to limit the stay of the goats in the paddock for 3.5 days but also
ensure that no vegetation is available along the way to and from each paddock.
- This will prevent goats from eating plants that may be infected with worms along the
way.
- An ideal way to ensure this is to have the pen constructed in the middle of the farm.
- If this is impossible, sprinkle the plants found along the path with slurry.
- In this diagram, the pen is situated in the middle of the farm. Each paddock has a gate
leading to the pen. This ensures that the goats go straight to the paddock.
- In RRG, move only the females and growers; leave the buck in the shed unless it is
breeding season.
- At night and during inclement weather conditions, confine all animals in their pens.
- This practice will only be beneficial if the rested paddock will not be grazed by other
animals in the neighborhood.
- Otherwise, there would be cross infection among animals.

4. Partial Confinement
- This is another variant of free grazing.
- In this system, goats are partially confined during the rainy season but free to graze for
2-3 hours when it is not raining and the ground is dry
- To minimize worm infection, they are grazed late in the morning when the sun has dried
the dew on the leaf blades and the larvae have crawled back to the soil
- When it is raining, they are confined, stallfed with grasses, tree leaves and shrubs, and
provided with water.
- Cut grasses for stallfeeding from ungrazed areas to avoid parasite infection.
- When cutting fresh grasses early in the morning, cut them half a foot from the ground
and wilt them under the sun before feeding.

Advantages
- As the goats are allowed free access to the grazing area, they can choose the plant
species and plant parts they want.

Disadvantages
- Inconvenient since the goats are herded to and from the field every time it rains.

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 - Risk of parasitism is high, especially if the animals graze in the same pasture everyday
- For mixed herding, where bucks are graze together with the herd, breeding cannot be
controlled.
- When kidding occurs during grazing, immediate attention cannot be provided.
- Security from thieves, predators and extreme weather cannot be assured.
- As the goats are partially confined, you need to invest in a good pen complete with
partitions/ goat rooms and feeding facilities.
- Fencing, which is costly, may be necessary. For unfenced areas, a herdsman may be
needed, which will entail labor costs

Below is the list of requirements if one decides to adopt this system:

- Access to different areas with enough vegetation to be grazed.
- A herdsman to look after the herd that is grazed in an unfenced area.
- Capital for pen construction.
- Source of clean drinking water in the grazing area..

5. Integrated System
- Goats are integrated in an orchard, plantation or fish ponds where vegetation abounds
- They may be raised in crop fields after harvest to feed on stubbles and plant rejects.
- The objective is to use available vegetation as feeds and return manure and urine as
fertilizer to the land or water.
- In this system, you can employ either FG, RRG, CC or PC.
- Whatever system is used, a goat pen is constructed either within or outside the orchard,
plantation and fishpond

Advantages
- Greater economic returns from the crop-livestock integration can be realized
- There is maximum utilization of resources
- Cost for weed control is reduced.
- Soil fertility is enhanced by the goat manure and urine
- Labor is maximized.

Disadvantages
- Capital investment is doubled.
- Goats can help proliferate unwanted weeds.

Below is the list of requirements if one decides to adopt this system:

- There is a need for an existing orchard, plantation or fishpond plus the other production
inputs required by this preferred system.
(i.e., FG, RRG or PC )

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 Summary of the Lesson

Feeding is a key for a profitable and sustainable farming. This is an important factor in goat raising to
ensure high production of all products as well for producing offspring. Without proper food, animals
cannot grow well, cannot keep good health, nor can they produce products and young ones properly.
Ensuring feed resource and practicing the best kind of production system suitable in the area improve
the economics of animal production and makes the use of nutrients more efficiently.

Self-Assessment Question
Directions: Please answer the following questions below:

1. What are the two (2) types of forages?

________________________
________________________
2. Give 3 examples of goat production system.
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
3. Give 3 examples of forages
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

4. It is the system where goats are let loose in open pastures, vacant lots or crop
fields.
a Integrated system b. Partial Confinement c. Free Grazing d. Complete
Confinement

5. It is a plant or parts of plants eaten by goats.

a Ipil ipil b. forage c. crop d. trichantera

Page 23 of 63
 Self-Assessment Question
Answer Key
1. What are the two (2) types of forages?
• Monocotyledons
• Dicotyledons

2. Give 3 examples of goat production system. (Any of the 7 Production system)

• Free Grazing
• Rapid Rotational Grazing (RRG)
• Rapid Rotational Grazing (RRG) and Paddock Use
• Rapid Rotational Tethering (RRT)
• Partial Confinement
• Complete Confinement
• Integrated System

3. Give 3 examples of forages (any of the answers below)

• Rensonii
• Flemingia
• Tricantera/Madre de Agua
• Indigofera
• Pakchong 1 (Super Napier)
• Paragrass
• Stargrass
• Guinea grass
• Acacia
• Kakawate / Madre de Cacao
• Sesbania
• Katuray
• Ipil-ipil

4. It is the system where goats are let loose in open pastures, vacant lots or crop fields.
Answer: C. Free Grazing

5. It is a plant or parts of plants eaten by goats.

Answer: b. Forage

References

• PCAARRD Training Module Series No. 6/2014

• Animal nutrition: The Importance of Feeding a Balanced Diet; [Link]

Page 24 of 63
 Lesson 3:
Site Selection and Goat Pen
This lesson is about choosing the suitable site in goat raising and good housing of goats. It includes the
types of housing, materials used, space requirements, housing facilities and farmer’s innovations.

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the participants should be able to discuss the suitable requirement in
developing a goat farm. Specifically, the participants should be able to:

1. discuss site selection;

2. enumerate the types of housing and materials;
3. describe the space requirement; and
4. explain the needed housing facilities.

Time Allotment : 1 hour

Methodologies : AV Presentation, Lecture, Group activity, Discussion, Participatory approach
Tools to use : DLP, Laptop, Power Point presentation

Lesson Proper
Ask the participants “Do goat needs housing”?

Answers maybe:
1. No, most of the backyard raisers with 1-2 goats have no housing
2. Yes, because they need to be protected also

Suitable goat housing or shelter is very important for goat farming business. Goats need housing just
like other domestic animals for staying at night, security, preventing them from adverse climate, cold,
sunlight etc. Some people used to keep their goats with other domestic animals such as cow, sheep etc.

Even in some areas, some people keep their goats under the trees. However, if one wishes to establish
a profitable commercial goat farm, building a suitable house for the goats is necessary. Before building
a house for goats, the following tips should be read very carefully.

A Site Selection

Site selection for farming purposes is a necessary consideration for a farmer. This requires land
which is the most important resource in farming. Knowledge on this topic will help farmers avoid
mistakes when they are starting their farms and acquire land for agriculture purpose.

- The site shall be accessible to service roads, water supply and electric lines.
- The site shall be well-drained and allows for free air circulation

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 - The building shall be constructed in an east –west orientation and the structure for marketable
animals shall be located near the service road
- The site shall be located where the prevailing winds will not carry odors to the farmhouse

B. Type of Goat Pen

A pen or shed must be provided to protect the animals from strong winds, heavy rains, wet ground,
and attacks of predatory animals. Hence, houses should not only provide ideal conditions for the
health and comforts of the animals, but should ensure better production and more efficient
management. On the other hand, a pen need not be expensive. It can be constructed from local
materials such as bamboo, cogon, and coco lumber. Unused pigpens and utility vehicles can also
be used provided they are equipped with the necessary fixtures and an elevated wood flooring and
cleaned daily.

A goat house can be built by using various designs. Specific goat housing design is suitable for
specific production purpose. Below are the types of housing specifications.

1. Shed Type Roofing - Animals can move freely

in or out of the housing area and into the
paddock or feeding area. Feeding and
watering trough, mineral feeders and grain
bunks are located on concrete pads at the
center or along the side of the shed.

2. Pen Elevation:
- At least 1 m from the ground
- Consider the convenience in cleaning the area underneath and ease in putting feed to the
feeding through.

3. Roof Height
Construct the roof of the pen not lower than 2 m from the floor. To protect the animals from
draft and the splatter of rain, extend the eaves of the roof one (1) 1 meter from the wall.

4. Floor Structure

To allow feces and urine to pass through, use slatted floors. However, carefully calculate the
space interval between slats to avoid leg accidents from slips in the slats. To facilitate manure
collection from underneath the pen, compact the soil or cement the ground floor

Page 26 of 63
 5. Housing Materials

In building pens, use any available materials like bamboo, cogon, and coco lumber. If aiming for
durability and less maintenance, you can use galvanized iron sheets for the roof. For posts,
frames, walls, and floors, use bamboo, coco lumber, or timber.

Old pigpens and utility vehicles may be used as goat pen provided, they are equipped with an
elevated wood flooring and the necessary fixtures, and cleaned daily. Unused poultry houses
can also be turned into goat pens.

6. Pen Facilities

• Feed and water trough

- Attach the concentrate box and the feed troughs to the side of the pen so that feeding
can be done from the outside. Put feed troughs not lower than the floor, so goats will
not have to kneel to get the forages. Neither should you put it too high, as to require
a stool for you to get to it. The water trough can be placed inside the pen.

• Salt container/Salt Lick

- A 1 ½ -2 ft long bamboo tube about two (2 ) inches in diameter can serve as salt lick
tube. One end should be open and the other, perforated at the bottom with a shoe
nail to allow salt moistened with a little water to seep through and be licked by the
pen.

• Brooder box
- Exposure to draft and cold temperature, especially at dawn causes high mortality
among kids. To prevent this, place a wooden box inside the kidding area where the
young can keep warm. Otherwise, provide bedding materials and wall
coverings/curtains at night.

• Goat Milking Area

- Have a milking area separate from the other goats. Milk the goat from the same side
every time. Wash the other first, to encourage the udder to let down and to ensure
cleanliness. Milk your goats in the same order each time.

C. Space Requirement following the Philippine National Standards for Organic Agriculture

Animal Type Indoor space, m2 per Outdoor Space Animal Unit (AU) per
head hectare (ha)
Ewe/Doe 1.50 --------------
Ram/Buck 2.00 --------------
Fattener 1.00 --------------

- Pregnant small doe or ewe with weight of 50-70 kg has a floor space requirements of 1.3 sq.m.
The lactating animal needs a floor space requirement of 2.0 sq.m./animal.
- Pregnant large doe or ewe which weight is over 70 kg has a floor space requirementnof 1.6
sq.m./animal while the lactating one is 2.3 sq.m./animal.
- A fenced loafing area of 150 sq.m. per 50 heads shall be provided adjacent to the animal
housing.

Page 27 of 63
Some Farmers’ Innovations for an Efficient Manure Collection

To ease manure collection:

- Use inclined sheet
- Use of catching nets
- Development of farm implements
- Use of “papag” or bench inside pen or construction of bleacher-type flooring

Summary of the Lesson

The site may determine the suitability and success of a farming enterprise and it is important in deciding
the appropriate site for the goat farm.

Design for goat pen should be according to the climatic conditions and production system. Housing
system mainly depend on the available resources and the environmental condition. Nowadays, building
materials and designs for goat housing are aimed at lower cost. For the best outcome in animal housing,
the producers must adopt a rational and integrated approach for goat housing design that provides for
health, management and husbandry, material and construction technology, energy and pollution, and
economic considerations.

Page 28 of 63
 Self-Assessment Question
DIRECTIONS: Please indicate the correct answer below:

1. Give at least three examples in selecting a good sight.

1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________

2. What is the roof height requirement of a goat pen?

a. 1.5 m b. 2 m c. 1 m d. 3 m

3. Give at least three pen facilities?

1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________

4. Two types of house that are most common for raising goats.
1._______________________
2._______________________

5. What is the pen elevation requirement of a goat pen?

a. 1.5 m b. 2 m c. 1 m d. 3 m

Self-Assessment Question
Answer Key
DIRECTIONS: Please indicate the correct answer below:

1. Give three examples in selecting a good sight.

Answers: (Choose only 3)
1. The site shall be accessible to service roads, water supply and electric lines.
2. The site shall be well-drained and allows for free air circulation
3. The building shall be constructed in an east –west orientation and the
structure for The marketable animals shall be located near the service road
4. site shall be located where the prevailing winds will not carry odors to the
farmhouse

2. What is the roof height requirement of a goat pen?

Answer: (b. 2 m from the floor. To protect the animals from draft and the
splatter of rain)

Page 29 of 63
 3. Give at least three pen facilities?
Answer: (Choose only 2)
1. Feed and water troughs
2. Salt container/Salt Lick
3. Brooder box
4. Goat Milking Area

4. Two types of house that are most common for raising goats.
(Answers: 1. Confined type 2. Shed type)

5. What is the pen elevation requirement of a goat pen?

(Answer: c. 1m from the ground. Consider the convenience in cleaning the area
underneath and ease in putting feed to the feeding through.

References

• PCAARRD Training Module Series No. 5/2014

• PCAARRD Training Module Series No. /2014
• Types of Goat Pen; [Link]
• Site-Selection-Farming; [Link],com

Page 30 of 63
 Lesson 4:
Breeds and Breeding

This lesson discusses the physical, productive and reproductive attributes of needed foundation stocks.
It includes the different breed

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the participants should be able to identify the common local breeds of goats
and identify goat abnormalities. Specifically, the participants should be able to:
1. discuss the breeds suited to local conditions;
2. explain the right foundation stocks;
3. enumerate good breeder;
4. identify goat defects; and
5. describe the different options to improve traditional breeding management.

Time Allotment : 2 hours

Methodologies : AV Presentation, Lecture, Group activity, Discussion, Participatory approach
Tools to use : DLP, Laptop, Power Point presentation

Lesson Proper

Success of any goat-based enterprise is hinged on productivity of animals, which is, in turn,
dependent in part on type and kind of foundation stocks used.

A. Breeds Suited to Local Conditions

Anglo Nubian
• Dual type meat milk
• Can weigh about 75kg
• Possess facial stripes
• Graceful in appearance
• With long, wide and pendulous ears and convex roman nose
• Available colors in PH: black, gray, cream, white, and shades of tan or reddish brown
• Adopted to tropical climate
• Can produce 1.5-2kg of milk per day for a 250-day lactation period which is ideal for supporting
the growth of kids

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 Boer
• Meat type goat
• Characterized by reddish brown head and neck and white body
• With short to medium hair and prominent horns
• Can produce 0.75-1.25kg of milk for a 200-day lactation period

Bucks Does
BIrth 3.7 3.4
Weaning 24 22
7 months 40-50 35-45
12 months 90-130 80-100

Upgrades
• Offspring of either the two-way or three way crossing of

Photo: SRC-CLSU
the native strain and exotic breeds
• Taller and bigger than their native parents and vary in
color depending on their parental and grandparental likes
• Offspring from the first crossbreeding can weigh 30kg on
the average while succeeding upgraded generations can
weigh 10kg more than the first set of offspring
• Does can give only 0.7-1.0 kg of milk for 215 days of
lactation

Native Strain
• Small and stocky
• Reddish-brown, white, black or a combination of these
colors
• Hardy and can subsist even in harsh environments, where
available fodder cannot support cattle during the dry
season
• Can give 0.3kg milk for 187-day lactation period

B. Choosing Your Foundation Stocks

• When establishing a goat enterprise for the first time, purchase an economic size herd of 10-
25 native or upgraded does
• Starting with this kind of goats is advantageous, as less investment is involved and the goats
are adapted to local conditions already
• If one cannot buy all 25 females from just one farm, purchase from several farms
• For the male breeder, purchase either a pure exotic breed or a graded strain with 75% exotic
bloodline
• Purchase 1 buck for every 25 females
• Thoroughly inspect the animals before purchasing them
• Check not just the physical features but ask the seller about the productive and reproductive
performance of the goats.
• If performance data is available, choose stocks based on the following:

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 - Number of offspring weaned per doe per year (it is a good stock
if it comes from a prolific darn with 4.5 kids weaned in 2 years)
- Mortality for each sex (it is a good stock if it comes from a herd
with 10% or less mortality for pre-weaners)
- Length of productive life of grandparents/parents (the
grandparents must have lived for at least 5 years)
- Incidence of major defects (no history of major defects within the herd)
- Get your foundation stocks from reliable and reputable sources (e.g. government nucleus and
multiplier farms)
- Upon purchase, quarantine the goats for a month

C. Selecting a Good Breeder

A good female breeder – regardless of breed, select breeder females free of physical defects, with
the following attributes:
1. Healthy with no deformities
2. Good body conformation
3. Large body size, not less than 30kg in
weight at 6-8 months of age
4. Strong and straight fore and hind legs
5. Clean and shiny haircoat Photo: SRC - CLSU
6. Normal genitals
7. Good udder appearance
• big and well attached udders
• smooth, firm, balanced in shape, and
hanging in uniform length
• with teats large enough for milking
8. Good mothering ability with history of being
protective and caring for her young
9. Good temperament, docile and easy to handle
10. Good pedigree, coming from an excellent milk producing dam

A good male breeder – The following attributes in the male breeding stock should be considered in
buying:
1. Healthy with no deformities
2. With clean and shiny haircoat
3. Large body size and heaviest in the herd, not less than 40kg in weight
4. Good body conformation
• Well-developed chest and body
• fairly straight back
• long and elevated hind quarters and straight and strong legs
5. Good sex organs
• large, firm testicles equal size and well-let down
• penis with no kinks or abnormalities
6. At least 8-12 months old if to be used for immediate breeding
7. From good bloodline
8. From does with high percentage of twinning
9. Aggressive, active and always ready to mount a female in heat.

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D. Breeding

“When is the best time to breed goats? At what age can they mate? What breeding plan should be
used?”

These are some of the many questions frequently asked by farmers starting a goat enterprise.
Breeding is concerned not only with increasing the animal population, but also with the
improvement of herd performance. In the Philippines, There is no definite breeding season for
goats. They are bred any time of the year. Goats raised the traditional way mate with any goat any
time of the year. This poses a number of risks, as males can mate with their sisters or mother that
can result to inbreeding.

Basic concepts in Breeding

From the beginning, human being is interested in the improvement of domesticated animals.

We used the simple process called selection in the early days. Later we introduced the techniques
like inbreeding and outbreeding with the knowledge of genetics.

Sexual Maturity and Breeding Age

Puberty age of sexual maturity comes between 5-6 months to well-nourished animals. At the age
however, the bucks and does are not yet ready for breeding. Breeding start at 10-12 months of age
and when they weigh at least 20-25 kg. This can be done by flushing (increasing in feeds specially
energy and protein feed) the does several weeks before and at the time of breeding by feeding high
quality, lush pasture and giving additional concentrates or protein supplements such as copra meal
and soybean meal. This practice will increase the number of eggs released and the chance of having
twins/triplets.

Estrus Period and Breeding

Estrus or heat is the time when the female shows sexual interest and allows the male to service
her. This period may last for 1-3 days and may be observed any time during the day. Estrus period
usually ends after 18 hours from the onset. If the estrus is observed in the morning, allow the male
to service the female right that morning and repeat in the afternoon. If the female fails to conceive
during this period, estrus will return 21 days after. Encourage the does to come into heat by
introducing a buck or placing the doe near the buck. An alternative is to rub a piece of cloth on the
buck`s head behind the horn area where musk glands (odor producing glands) are located and bring
the cloth to the doe. Let her smell it for several minutes everyday. Estrus can also be induced by
decreasing light and temperature simulating the short-day periods, which encourages heat cycles.

Signs of Estrus

The does are in estrus when they manifest the following signs:
- allowing themselves to be mounted;
- mounting another animals irrespective of sex;
- swollen vulva
- mucous discharge from the vulva; and
- behavioural changes, such as frequent urination, frequent, wagging of tail, nervousness
and bleating, and lack of appetite.

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Gestation Period and Parturition

Gestation or pregnancy varies from 147 to 155 days with an average of 150 days or 5 months.
Separate expectant females (does about to kid or give birth) from the rest of the herd about 1 week
prior to delivery. Keep them in separate paddocks/pens for closer observation. Watch out for
possible signs of approaching kidding:

- Udder (the goat`s breasts, the bag-shaped structure containing the milk-secreting glands) and
teats (the nipple through which milk is excreted) enlarge 2 months before kidding.
- Doe become nervous and bleats low.
- She appears hallow in the right flank (area between the goat`s last rib and hip) and definitely
hollow on both rumps ( the fleshy hindquarters of a goat, not including its legs; equal to the
buttocks).
- She may paw her bedding around.
- The doe becomes more and more restless and lies down and gets up; then lies down and
strains slightly.
- At first breeding, the conception rate is normally 90%. This increase up to 95% on succeeding
breeding.
- Kid size (average kids born per kidding) at the first kidding is 1.5; for succeeding kidding, it may
increase to 1.7.
- Wean kids from their dam when they reach 3 months of age. One month after weaning, does
can be prepared for the next breeding.

Postpartum Breeding

Does can be exposed to males 1 month after kidding.

Inbreeding
• Inbreeding is the mating of related individuals within 4 to 6 generations. It is defined as the
mating of more closely related individuals than the average of the population.
• Inbreeding includes close breeding and line breeding.
- Close breeding is the mating of the male and female of the same pair of parents or a sire
to his daughter or a dam to her son. This mating is followed in the individuals, if both of
them are outstanding.
- Line breeding is the mating of the related animals, but they are not as close as the animal
selected for close breeding.

Advantages and disadvantages of inbreeding:

• It increases the homozygosity and decreases the heterozygosity. So it favours the genetic
uniformity. It is the best method of getting true strains from the unknown stocks.
• It sorts out the characters and helps in the selection of die desired animals and the culling
of the undesired individuals.
• Inbreeding reduces the reproductive efficiency, causes inbreeding depression and the
outward expression of undesired hereditary characters.

Options to Improve Breeding Management

• Females should only be bred when they are 8 months old, well grown, and in good
condition. Otherwise, breeding should commence at 10-12 months.
• Although the female are generally fertile and become pregnant easily in one service, two
services are advisable for maiden does. Thus, if estrus is observed in the morning, allow the
male to service the female right that morning and repeat in the afternoon.

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 • If, on the other hand, estrus comes in the afternoon, breed the females right there and
repeat early the next morning. If the female returns to heat after 21 days, it means the
animal failed to conceive. Thus, re-breed. Failure to conceive after two cycles is enough
reason to cull it from the herd.
• At 8 months of age, a male breeder can be allowed to service a maximum of 20 females.
When he turns a year old, he can be allowed to mate 25 females.
• The males must be kept for as long as productive but they should not be allowed to breed
their own offspring. Inbreeding increases the chances of having genetic defects such as
dwarfism and muscle contracture. It also decrease vigor, weaning, and yearling weight.
Thus, it is advisable to change the males yearly.

Controlled Breeding
• Goats will breed at any time of year according to social rank among males and females of
breeding age. Reduce parasitism and increase production and profit.
• Restricts contact between males and females to the time chosen by the farmer who also
decides which male and female will mate. This is, therefore, a combination of making the right
decisions in terms of programming the mating and kidding season as well as being able to
restrict animal movement and contact.
• Do not allow mating between related stocks as it will result to inbreeding.
• Keep records of the mother, father, their kids and what happened to them (whether they died
or were sold) to be able to make good decisions about which males and females to use for
mating.
• Work out the best time of year to sell young animals and plan mating to have the entire young
ready for sale at the time.
• Methods to keep males and females apart
- Knowledge about the best times of year to have offspring
- Fencing or housing to allow the best animals to mate

Benefits and cost of production

- Kids are born at a time most suited to the farmers, e.g., when the supply of feeds is starting
to increase.
- Mating between the best males and females results in better offspring.
- Labor requirements for caring of young animals is concentrated during periods of labor
availability and more young can be sold when price is high.
- Parasite control measures such as drenching of young animals can be synchronized.
- Proper timing of kidding minimizes parasitism and respiratory and digestive diseases.
- Cost depend on existing management but may include increased labor, fencing, and
housing.
- Reservations/limitations of use
- Control of breeding requires an investment of time, money, and management effort on the
part of farmers. Success may be limited by the presence of other people`s goat that are let
loose and get into contact with the controlled goats.
- The best time to sell young may not be easy to identify. As such controlled breeding may
increase the risk of having too many young at the wrong time of year. Having many young
animals together can increase the risk of predation and parasitism, thereby increasing the
need for other parasite control measures.

Page 36 of 63
 Reservations/limitations of use
- To maximize the benefits of the introduction of a
new buck to the herd, controlled breeding must be
practiced. Separate the buck from the rest of the
herd to avoid inbreeding and untimely breeding
especially of young doelings.
- Upgrading with the use of purebred buck will
produce kids with the following blood composition.

Summary of the Lesson

Animal breeding ensures a continuous improvement of farm animals, generation after

generation. Different animal traits are measured and the best animals are used as parent-animals. In
this way, breeders provide livestock farmers with a next generation of animals. Farm animal breeders
have an essential contribution to a healthy and sustainable food supply chain and to provide with a
diverse choice of affordable, safe and diverse quality animal foods.

Page 37 of 63
 Self-Assessment Question

Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Average length of gestation of goats.

a. 114 days
b. 130 days
c. 150 days
d. 165 days
2. Recommended weaning age of kids.
a. 2 months
b. 3 months
c. 4 months
d. 5 months
3. Age when native female goats reach puberty.
a. 6-7 months
b. 9 months
c. 4-5 months
d. 1 year
4. Breed females only when you observe this.
a. Enlargement of udders
b. Standing heat
c. Waggling tail
d. Loss of appetite
5. The practice of feeding of high energy and protein feeds before breeding to condition the doe`s
body for breeding.
a. Ad libitum
b. Restricted
c. Flushing
d. Controlled

Self-Assessment Question
Answer Key

Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Average length of gestation of goats.

a. 114 days
b. 130 days
c. 150 days
d. 165 days

Page 38 of 63
2. Recommended weaning age of kids.
a. 2 months
b. 3 months
c. 4 months
d. 5 months
3. Age when native female goats reach puberty.
a. 6-7 months
b. 9 months
c. 4-5 months
d. 1 year
4. Breed females only when you observe this.
a. Enlargement of udders
b. Standing heat
c. Waggling tail
d. Loss of appetite
5. The practice of feeding of high energy and protein feeds before breeding to condition the doe`s
body for breeding.
a. Ad libitum
b. Restricted
c. Flushing
d. controlled

References
ERENCES

• ([Link]
• Importance of [Link]
• Breeding; [Link]

Page 39 of 63
 Lesson 5:
Animal Care and Management
This lesson deals on the importance of different areas of responsibility for taking care and management
of the animals. Alternative methods of managing goats are also included. It also includes the topic on
waste management.

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the participants should be able to discuss the importance of animal care and
enumerate the husbandry management. Specifically, the participants should be able to:

1. discuss the care of different physiological stages development of goat;

2. explain the routine management; and
3. explain the proper waste management

Time Allotment : 3 hours

Methodologies : AV Presentation, Lecture, Discussion, Participatory approach
Tools to use : DLP, Laptop, Power Point presentation

Lesson Proper

Farmer should manage their goats to prevent or reduce the incidence of mortality rate and disease.

A. Care and Management of Goat

1. Doe and Doeling
• Breed Doeling
- 8 to 12 months
- At least 30kg for upgrade and at least 20kg for native
- Provide clean drinking water at all times
- Observe sign of estrus every 21 days
- Always keep a record breeding date to estimate the kidding date
• Pregnant Doeling and Doe
- Observe after 21 days of mating, if the does do not show estrus again, then they are
pregnant.
- Handle carefully the pregnant doe or doeling
- Regulate the feeding ration
- Provide clean drinking water at all times
- Provide adequate space 2 to 3 m² per expectant kidding does
• Pre-kidding Doe and Doeling
- Visit the breeding record for the expected kidding date
- Separate the expectant females from a herd about a month
- Give additional concentrate 2 weeks before kidding until kids is weaned (3 months)
- Observe for the signs of kidding

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 • During Kidding
- Observe the animal closely on the expected day of kidding
- Allow it to kid on its own and do not disturb
- Monitor the release of placenta
- Record the data of kidding
- Seek assistance from veterinarian in case of retained placenta and other abnormalities
during kidding
• Post Kidding
- Give clean drinking water available at all times
- Give the doe good forages and small amount of concentrate about 6 hours after
kidding
- Gradually increase the amount of feed given until the normal amount is attained
- Feel the udder and check for abnormal hardening or swelling
- If Mastitis is detected, apply hot compress over the teats for about30 seconds and
repeat about 10 times, if there is absence of milk
- Provide calcium, if milk fever is present (alternative)
- Seek assistance from veterinarian if any problem occurs
• Lactating Doe/Doeling
- Provide good nutrition: quality forages and concentrates
- Provide clean drinking water at all times
- Observe postpartum estrus within 15 days after weaning and record the date of estrus
and count 21 days after as expected date of mating
- Check the teats and udder regularly if there is a presence of inflammation
- Gradually wean the kids to avoid hardening of the udder

2. Kids (day old to 3 months)

• Day old to 14 days
- Provide dry and clean beddings for new born
- Remove the mucus from the nose using a clean cloth
- Cut the umbilical cord 2-3 cm from the base of the navel and apply tincture of iodine.
- Weigh and record the birth weight of the kids
- Assist the newborn to suckle colostrum
- Provide milk supplementation using available milk replacer if the dam has poor milk

In case the dam dies:

- Let other lactating does foster the young
- In the absence of foster doe, bottle-feed kid with milk every 3 to 4 hours
- Observe closely the status of the kids

• Kids 15 days to 30
- Perform ear tagging and disbudding when kids is about 3 weeks old
- Castrate goats not intended for breeding 2 to 4 weeks old
- Give concentrates or PBR through creep feeding after 30 days
- Gradually shift to a new feeds
- Provide nutritious forages at one month of age
- Wean only the healthy that are 3 to 4 months old or have a weaning weight of 10kg for
native and 15kg for upgrade. Record the weaning weight and date

Kids (day old to 3 months) Reminders:

- Provide clean drinking water at all times
- Records all the activities and other information

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 - Remember the treatments when scouring, pneumonia, bloat, hypoglycemia occurs
- Vaccinate the growing goats with HemoSep before weaning

3. Growers (above 3mons to 8mons)

- Visit the record and select potential replacement breeders from the stocks with at least
2kg birthweight and no deformities
- Separate male from female to avoid premature breeding
- Provide adequate space for growers (1m²/hd)
- Provide quality nutrition: forage and concentrates or PBR
- Provide clean drinking water at all times
- Follow up deworming at 3 months of age and 3 months thereafter
- Examine the hooves every month if it is need for hoof trimming
- Record the date and weight of animals on 8 months or about to sell
- Be sure that 8 months old goat reach of at least 30kg for upgrade and 20kg of native

4. Mature Goats
- Provide 2 to 3 m² per adult animal
- Provide quality nutrition: forage and concentrates or PBR
- Provide clean drinking water at all times
- Examine the hooves every month if it is need for hoof trimming
- Deworm, Vaccinate with HemoSep and give Vitamin ADE and delousing every 6 months
- Record the weight and date of doeling prior to breeding

B. Routine Husbandry Management

A healthy goat herd is essential for a successful goat operation. This goal can be achieved with
proper management of the herd

1. Navel or Umbilical Cord Cutting

Cut the umbilical cord 2 to 3 cm from the base of the navel cord and apply tincture of iodine
to prevent bacterial infection

2. Disbudding or Dehorning
- Heat the dehorner until it is red-hot
- Restrain the animal properly to avoid unnecessary injury. Using hacksaw, cut the horn
from the base
- Carefully and quickly, press down the red-hot dehorner over the base of the horn that
was cut
- Spray repellant to the burned part
- You may inject antibiotic intramuscularly to avoid infection or Tetanus antitoxin (TAT)

3. Eartagging with Unified ID System

Good management and proper identification of animals can make managing sick animals
and/or disease outbreaks much easier. All animals on the farm should have an individual
ear tag or neck tag for identification if it becomes sick. This will help identify and treat the
animal(s) appropriately
- Prepare a tagger and plastic tags
- Inspect the ear of the goat and locate the space where no veins are apparent
- Hold the tagger in place and press swiftly. This will secure the tag in place
- Apply fly repellant afterwards

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 Each individual animal will be assigned a unique 8-character, individual ID composed of the
following Information
Luzon- Red
- Year of Birth (1 character)
- Animal Number (4 characters) Visayas- Yellow
- Farm Code (2 characters)
- Breeder Code (1 character) Mindanao-
Green

Sample ID:

Information Specifics Resultant Animal ID

Year of birth 2006 (B)
Kid # 123
Breeder Boer bred by LVF (Mountain B0123LVF
View Goat Farm of Tarlac; refer
to list of accredited breeder
farms)

Year Codes:

Year Code Year Code

2000 V 2013 I
2001 W 2014 J
2002 X 2015 K
2003 Y 2016 L
2004 Z 2017 M
2005 A 2018 N
2006 B 2019 O
2007 C 2020 P
2008 D 2021 Q
2009 E 2022 R
2010 F 2023 S
2011 G 2024 T
2012 H 2025 U

4. Castration
- Restrain the animal
- Shave the area surrounding the scrotum
- Disinfect the shaven area with iodine to prevent infection
- Slightly pull the base of the scrotum and make clean cut across the tip of the scrotum
- Cut the thin sac enclosing the testicles
- Apply pressure to pop the testicles out
- Slightly pull the testicles to expose the cord that holds the testicle
- Using the iodine-sterilized thread, ligate and cut the cord to minimize the bleeding

5. Hoof Trimming
- Prior to trimming, soak the hooves of the animal in water for at least 5 minutes
- To trim, hold the foot of the goat between your knees

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 - Always work away from the goat to avoid being accidentally kicked
- With a knife, trim down the excess hoof until the foot is even or at the same level with
the pad
- Use a hoof trimmer if the excess nail is too hard to trim

6. Milking
- Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them before milking
- Wash the udder and teats
- Gently pull the teat with your thumb and first finger. Discard the first flow of milk for it
is high in bacteria
- Close your third finger and squeeze the milk out into the container
- You can use the milk to bottle feed other kids or pasteurize for human consumption

7. Culling
In animal breeding, it is the process of removing or segregating animals from a breeding
stock based on specific trait and health.

C. Waste Management
Animal manures are pollutants to the environment. When they accumulate, they clog bodies of
water, attract disease-producing organism that harm human beings, and produce an unpleasant
odor. Goat manure if managed properly, will have many benefits to the farmer. The high cost of
farm inputs will be reduced while improving the declining fertility of the soil. It will also give the
farmer will have an additional income.

Composting
The process of converting organic materials like goat manure into organic fertilizer through aerobic
or anaerobic process. In composting, the following requirements are needed.
- a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 25-35:1 for materials needed for efficient bacterial
decomposition;
- moisture content of at least 40%
- a composting rate of 2-24 weeks depending on conditions; and
- the quality of compost depending on the materials used and the organisms involved.

Layering
It can be done by alternately layering high carbon and high nitrogen materials at 30:1 ratio by
volume. Bacteria will start the process of decaying organic matter. They will be the first to break
down plant tissues and are the most numerous. Fungi and protozoa will follow and the centipedes,
millipedes, beetle and earthworms will soon join the process as well. Layering is very important in
composting.

Vermicomposting
It is the process by which earthworms are used to convert organic material (usually wastes) into
humus-like material known as vermicompost. The goal is to process the material as quickly and
efficiently as possible. The process of producing the vermin substrate is anaerobic decomposition.
Anaerobic decomposition produces fatty acids and other organic products for earthworm nutrition.
Guerrero (1999) found out that the vermicompost recovery (48%) and net production of
earthworm biomass (3 kg) were attained with a stocking rate of 1 kg. per bed measuring 1.5x1.0x0.5
m each. Barcelo (1986) found out that an African night crawler reared in goat manure in
combination with Leucaena leucocephala substrate produced the highest gain in weight (258.10)

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followed by those reared in cattle manure (183.00 g) in combination with Leucaena leucocephala
while those reared in chicken manure (150 g) had the poorest gained weight.

Seeding
The introduction of earthworms in the vermibed is done when the temperature of the substrate is
30⁰C. The seeding rate is 1 kg earthworms /m². Just leave the worms on top of the substrate. The
earthworms burrow in the substrate if the characteristics are ideal for them.

Compost tea (CT)

Is a liquid derived from soaking and or brewing compost in water and is used as foliar and soil
application to plants. In vermitea production, vermicompost or vermicast is used instead of
compost (VCT). Compost or vermicompost contains beneficial microbes that may reduce or control
disease and improve the soil condition. The tea contains N, K and P. It also contains beneficial
microorganisms to reduce the effects of plant pathogens on plants and to improve soil condition.

Technical Options
1. Composting
2. Vermicompost
3. Compost Tea/Vermitea

Advantages of Converting Goat Manure into Organic Farm Inputs

- Reduce pollution.
- Prevents clogging of canals.
- Prevents the multiplication of pathogens.
- Additional income for the farmers.
- Reduce the cost of farm inputs.
- Improves soil condition.

Disadvantages of Composting, Vermicomposting, and Vermitea Production

- Additional cost.
- Additional labor cos.t
- Knowledge and skills are inadequate

Requirement for Adoption

If one decides to adopt these technologies, the following materials are needed
- Organic wastes like goat manure, leaves, grasses, vegetables scraps, rice straw or corn
stover, and tools like shovel, rake, and sprinkler; and
- African night crawler or any species of earthworm for vermicomposting.

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 Summary of the Lesson
LESSON
Monitoring animal health and preventing animal disease outbreaks is vital to the economy and safety
of the country's food supply. Production of healthy livestock helps to ensure a safe food supply and
keep consumer prices stable.

Farm animals contribute not only as sources of high-quality food that improves nutritional status but
also additional resources such as manure for fertilizer, on-farm power, and other by-products, and, in
addition, provide economic diversification and risk distribution.

Self-Assessment Question
Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. At what month is the exact time to breed?

a. 6-7 months b. 8-12 months c. 4 months d. 3 months

2. It is the inflammation or swelling of the mammary gland?

a. Paralysis b. Arthritis c. Mastitis d. Bloat

3. At what age is the exact time to castrate the goats?

a. 2 to 4 weeks old b. 3 weeks old c. 1 week old d. 6 months

4. In animal breeding, it is the process of removing or segregating animals from a breeding

stock based on specific trait and health.
a. Castration b. Culling c. Umbilical Cord Cutting d. composting

5. _______ is the process by which earthworms are used to convert organic material.
a. Vermitea b. Vermicast c. Vermicompost d. Compost

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 Self-Assessment Question
Answer Key
Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. At what month is the exact time to breed?

b. 8-12 months

2. It is the inflammation or swelling of the mammary gland?

c. Mastitis

3. At what age is the exact time to castrate the goats?

b. 2 to 4 weeks old

4. In animal breeding, it is the process of removing or segregating animals from a breeding

stock based on specific trait and health.
b. Culling

5. _______ is the process by which earthworms are used to convert organic material?
c. Vermicompost

References

• Goat Diseases and Farm Herd-Health Safety; [Link]

• Farm Animal Welfare
• [Link]
• Importance of Animals in Agricultural Sustainability and Food Security

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 Lesson 6:
Healthcare and Nutrition

This lesson presents the different types of local goat diseases and healthcare management. It includes
biosecurity for goat farms.

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the participants should be able to enumerate and classify healthcare and
management for goat farms. Specifically, the participants should be able to:

1. enumerate the basic concepts in health management;

2. identify different kinds of local diseases;
3. discuss the common symptoms of goat diseases;
4. describe the protocols in biosecurity; and
5. explain animal nutrition.

Time Allotment : 1.5 hours

Methodologies : Lecture, Participatory approach
Tools to use : Powerpoint presentation

Lesson Proper

A. Basic Concept of Health Management

• Failure to optimize goat production may be rooted to limited knowledge on health

management.
• Native goats are generally more resistant than their purebred or crossbred counterparts, which
are more prone to diseases. Upgraded and purebred goats need more intensive care and
management to prevent the occurrence of diseases.
• The farmer must be familiar with the manifestation of disease so that when the veterinarian or
animal technician is not available, basic supportive therapy can be done in order to prevent
further losses.
• Sick animals can be identified by initially observing from a distance (about 7-10m away) to
observe the goat`s behaviour. Any unusual sound or movement and abnormal symmetry may
be noted. A closer inspection of the animal may reveal enlargement and discharges.
• An evaluation of the animal`s condition also consider the history and the environment. For
example, continuous rain will make goat prone to pneumonia and improper waste disposal may
predispose goats to diarrhea and respiratory problems.
• An abundance of certain types of snails is a risk factor for liver fluke infection.
• It is important to have an efficient recording system to keep track on health status and animal
performance.

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 • Laboratory analysis may be necessary in some cases. Some disease conditions (like caprine
arthritis encephalitis (CAE)) require laboratory tests to arrive at a confirmative diagnoses. One
may seek the services of a veterinarian to assist in submitting specimens to regional animal
disease diagnostic laboratories for accurate diagnosis.
• Highly infectious disease like CAE, Foot and Mouth Disease, and anthrax should be reported
immediately to the Provincial Veterinary Office for appropriate action.

Signs of a Healthy Goat:

- eats well and chews cud
- has a shiny hair coat
- has strong legs and feet
- is sociable and alert
- has eyes that are bright and clear
- has no discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth
- has firm fecal pellets (dropping)
- its hairs around the anus are not soiled with feces and do not stick together (daggy)

Signs of sick goat

- not eating/no sign of cud chewing
- grinding of teeth
- self-isolation from the herd
- weight loss
- hair loss or rough hair coat
- cloudy eyes (corneal opacity) or blindness
- limping or unwillingness to stand
- a change of behaviour such as moving in circles
- dehydration
- pale mucous membranes (inner eyelid)
- fever
- diarrhea
- discharge from nose or mouth
- frequent coughing
- abnormal swelling (joints, navel, neck, foot etc)
- presence of clots or blood in milk

B. Goat defects

At all cost, avoid purchasing animals with the following characteristics

1. Undershot and overshot jaws (photo: SRC-CLSU)

undershot jaw overshot jaw

2. Extra teats

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 3. Split testicles

4. Twisted and folded ears

5. Abnormal and weak legs

6. Deformed hooves

7. Abnormal horn

8. Poor maternal instinct

9. From parental lines of poor milker

C. Essential Practices in Maintaining a Healthy Herd

The following are some pointers in maintaining a healthy herd:

• Closely monitor the health status of your herd by daily inspection of the animals.
• Identify and isolate your sick goats.
• Whenever possible, seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian.
• Provide balance nutrition, which includes forage, protein and energy feeds, salt, minerals, and
plenty of clean water daily.
• Subject your herd to the required tests appropriate in your locality as recommended by LGUs.
• Provide supportive therapy for sick goats.
• Do preventive measures for internal and external parasites.
• Quarantine newly-purchased stocks for a month before introduction to the herd.
• Clean pens, feeders, and water buckets daily.
• Provide appropriate shelters with good ventilation.
• Provide enough exercise and sunlight.

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• Do hoof trimming as needed.
• Keep individual records.
• With the help of a licensed veterinarian, implement a vaccination program against diseases
which may be a problem in the locality.

Supportive Therapy for Common Symptoms of Goat Diseases

Kid Hypoglycemia
• Hypoglycemia is a drop in the blood glucose (sugar) level. It is seen in newborn kids that have
failed to suck an adequate amount of milk from undernourished or sick does or in does with
two or three kids.
• The kid may be rendered weak, dehydrated and hypothermic (body temperature below
normal). The kid becomes more prone to other diseases due to low resistance particularly if
not able to suckle colostrum.

• Management:
- Give nutritious feed to the pregnant doe especially for upgrades and purebreds to ensure
that an adequate amount of milk will be produced for bigger kids. Provide concentrate
feed to the lactating doe to increase milk production.
- Provide a separate kidding pen for the doe two (2) weeks before and after kidding or a
brooding box with dry hay for the kid to be kept warm and to avoid disturbing and
trampling on the kids during suckling time.
- Bottle-feed the kid with milk from other does if the dam cannot supply sufficient amount
for its brood.
- Give milk replacer (filled or skim milk) to weak kids. The ratio of mixing milk with water
must be adjusted gradually to prevent the occurrence of diarrhea. Foster the kid from
triplets to other dams with single kids.
- In severe cases, administer dextrose (glucose or blood sugar) preparations through the
help of a veterinarian, especially if oral administration of dehydration fluid seems to be
inefficient.
- Give coconut water in place of drinking water or if the kid is too weak; force the kid to
drink by drenching. Be careful in drenching as this, if improperly done, may cause passage
of fluid into the lungs that may lead to pneumonia.

Diarrhea
• Diarrhea is the passing out of loose, watery feces at frequent intervals which may be caused by
a vast variety of agents. Poor sanitation is the primary source of infection.
• Prolonged diarrhea in kids will render them emaciated and weak.
• The first observable sign is the appearance of wet, ruffled, or matted hair around the anus.
Characteristics white, yellow, or brown-colored feces of soft, loose, or pasty consistency may
be seen scattered in the pen.
• In prolonged cases, kids become weak and may die due to dehydration.
• Drastic changes in the kind of feed given to the animal may lead to a sudden, transitory form
of diarrhea.
• In young animals, it is often caused by bacteria, worms, and coccidian (protozoan parasite).
Except for the large worms that may be passed out in the feces, these agents cannot be seen
with the naked eye.
• Complete confinement in overcrowded and dirty pens predisposes goats to coccidiosis. This is
an anticipated problem in intensive management. Improved sanitation will address the
problem.

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• Ideally, fecal samples must be collected and submitted for analysis in the laboratory for
confirmation but there is a need to wait for the results of this examination. It is important that
supportive therapy be given immediately to prevent dehydration.
• Management:
- Replace lost water and electrolytes by giving oral rehydration preparations available in local
drugstores or agricultural supplies. Fresh coconut water is a good alternative.
- Ensure that kids could get enough colostrum to protect them from neonatal diseases.
- Clean the pens daily and avoid overcrowding.

Mastitis
• Mastitis refers to the inflammation or swelling of the mammary gland.
• Signs of mastitis include mammary glands that are hot, swollen, and painful to touch, with foul-
smelling yellowish fluid or milk curds coming out from the teat.
• The infection is usually accompanied by fever, weakness, and loss of appetite.
• This is caused by one or multiple bacterial agents that are usually found in the dirty pen and
are transmitted by direct contact.

• Management:
- Isolate affected animals and disinfect the pens to prevent further spread of infection.
- Do not allow kids to suckle from does with mastitis. Give milk collected from other does or milk
replacer.
- Apply hot compress on the affected part to help reduce swelling and pain. Remove dirty milk
manually by stripping the teats to extract the milk.
- Prevent mastitis by observing hygienic milking operations, applying wound treatment on udder,
and closely monitoring affected animals.
- Administer antibiotic treatment through intramammary infusion if needed (delivery of drugs
into the mammary gland via the teat opening/canal) provided it should be under the supervision
of a licensed veterinarian.

Respiratory Infection (Pneumonia)

• This is a viral or bacterial infection involving the respiratory tract. Worm infection also
predisposes the animal to respiratory infections.
• Stress due to adverse weather condition, poor ventilation, overcrowding, and stock movement
triggers the infection.
• Initial signs are sneezing and presence of clear, watery nasal discharge. This may progress to
cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, anorexia (does not eat) and weakness.
Kids may die suddenly without showing any symptoms.

• Management:
If symptoms persists
- Administer mucolytic to loosen mucous secretions in the airways and relieve the animal
from difficulty in breathing. Ask any local veterinary supply stores on the availability of
these drugs.
- Administer antibiotic for at least three (3) days. Seek veterinary advice regarding the choice
of antibiotic that will be used.
- Give Vitamins A, D, and E.
- Seek advice from a veterinarian if there is a need to vaccinate the animals against diseases
which may be reported to be present yearly in the area like Hemorrhagic septicemia.

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Orf or Scabby Mouth
• This is caused by a highly transmissible virus which can be cured even without treatment, but
secondary bacteria infection usually sets in which require attention and management. The
disease may possibly be transmitted to humans.
• Vesicles (a serum-filled blister formed in or beneath the skin) and scabs (a hard coating on the
skin formed during the wound healing) form in the mouth, nose, udder, and genitals. When
these lesions rupture, flies may come in contact with the wound and lay eggs, which become
maggots.
• Flies may also lay eggs on the wounds and develop into larvae or maggots which will penetrate
into the wound, liquefy the tissues further, and secrete toxins, which may lead to death if no
intervention is undertaken
• Management:
- Put into practice control measures immediately. Affected animals should be separated
from all the other animals. Prevent the scabs from falling off into the environment.
- Contagious ecthyma is highly zoonotic and may produce lesions on the hands or fingers of
the person(s) handling infected animals. Therefore, it is extremely sore on lips and muzzle
of young goat.
- It is important to practice good hygiene.
- Disposable gloves should be worn when handling these animals, and then properly
disposed in a trash can. Hands should be cleaned with an antimicrobial cleanser after
handling.

Bloat
• Bloat is described as the excessive accumulation of gas in the rumen that compresses the chest
area causing difficulty in breathing and may lead eventually to death.
• Affected animals become recumbent (lies on its chest, abdomen, or side), restless and refuse
to eat.
• The left region of the abdomen becomes enlarged.
• Bloating can be observed in goats fed with wet, young, and succulent grasses, pure legume
diet, or too much concentrate feed.
• Severe cases require immediate services of a veterinarian. In mild bloat, slowly drench with
edible oil or water with mild detergent powder.

Leg Weakness and Paralysis

• Difficulty in walking and inability to stand are signs of leg injury, mineral deficiency, or infection
affecting the legs. The following are diseases that may be associated with leg weakness:
• Foot rot, which is more common in old animals, is caused by bacteria from wet and muddy
pastures which may enter through the wounds due to injury. A small laceration in the foot slats
are points of entry for the bacteria. A foul smell may arise from necrotic tissue.
• Management:
- Clean the affected part of the foot properly.
- Always clean and dry the floor.
- Trim the hooves regularly.
- Mineral deficiency is commonly seen in upgraded or purebred milking does. Nursing dams
and purebred bucks require a high level of nutrition with adequate amount of mineral to
meet their needs. Heavy milkers are also prone to mineral deficiency, particularly calcium.
Common manifestations include inability to stand (incoordinated gate and tremors)
- Administer calcium-based preparation (e.g., calcium borogluconate) and provide mineral
blocks especially during times of the year when food is scarce.

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Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
• Is an easily-transmitted viral infection. It is characterized by the formation of vesicles in the
mouth and in the mouth and in between hooves accompanied by fever, chilling, and anorexia.
• The infection is usually subclinical (absence of symptoms) in goats but they may serve as source
of infection to other susceptible hosts.
• Management:
- The infection is self-limiting and there is no known specific line of treatment. Suspected
cases should immediately be reported to a veterinarian since this is a “reportable diseases”.
It poses a major risk to the livestock industry.
- It is recommended that animals that died from FMD be burned to ash.
- Limit the movement of stocks in affected areas to prevent introduction of the disease to
FMD-free zones.
Pink Eye
• Pink eye is a condition caused by bacteria and characterized by lacrimation, conjunctivitis
(reddish or pinkish mucosa), opacity, and mucopurulent discharge.
• It affects animals of all ages, though it is more common in the young, and is transmitted by
direct contact with infected goats or by flies.
• Ocular discomfort prevents the animals from eating normally, which would result to weakness
and emaciation if left untreated.
• Management:
- A dusty environment and a proliferation of flies increase the risk of infection.
- Isolate sick animals and keep in a confined area while undergoing treatment.
- Maintain a clean goat pen all the time.

Tetanus
• Tetanus, a non- contagious disease, which is more common in old animals, is caused by
Clostridium tetani.
• It may develop from minor skin wounds such as castration, disbudding, or dehorning.
Improperly managed wound predisposes to this condition.
• Stiffness and rigidly of muscles are initial signs followed by tetanic convulsions, stiff gait and
other nervous signs.
• Management:
- Observe hygienic post-operative precautions.

Economically Important Parasitic Diseases and Their Control

Liverfluke Infection or Fasciolosis

• Liverflukes (Fasciola sp.) are flat, leaf-like worms that measures about 20 mm. They inhabit the
liver of goats and other ruminants and suck blood and damages tissues. Death may ensue in
severe cases.
• Fasciolosis ranks third among diseases of farm concern. More often, the infection results in
poor feed conversion efficiency which is manifested as failures to thrive, low reproductive rate,
and weight loss. These are largely unrecognized by farmers.
• The life cycle requires the snail Lymnaea as the intermediate host where larval stages develop.
This snail is utilized as human food in some parts of the country but ingestion of this will not
cause fasciolosis.
• The availability of the snail species in the area determines the perpetuation of the parasite.
• Goats acquire the infection by ingestion of the larvae in the infective stages (stage in the life
cycle of the parasite that starts the infection when ingested by the animal) attached to grasses
or drinking of water with the infective form suspended in it.

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• The development from the egg stage to egg-producing adult takes 5-6 months. About half of
this period is spent inside the animal host where much of the damage to the liver tissue is done.
• Management:
- Confirm the presence of liverfluke in your goats by subjecting it to fecalysis (laboratory
examination of feces) where the typical egg is demonstrated microspically.
- Manually pick snails or use ducks to control snail in the rice fields, fishponds, and on water-
logged areas.
- Do not allow your goat to graze in waterlogged areas where snails abound.

Tapeworm Infection
• Another common worm that one encounters is the tapeworm of the Moniezia spp. This worm
which lodges in the small intestine may be as long as six (6) meters.
• The worm detaches some of its segments that contain eggs and areas passed out in the feces.
These segments resemble cooked rice grain as seen in the feces.
• Eggs that are passed out in the feces are eaten by forage mites where infective larval stages
develop after 3-4 months. These infected mites that attach on the grasses are then
accidentally eaten by goats, which acquire the infection. The tapeworms mature in 1-1.5
months.
• Kids under 6 months are substantially infected. A solid mass of tapeworms may cause diarrhea
and mechanical obstruction. Heavy infections may lead to death. In chronic cases, poor growth
and low production is observed.
• Calendar deworming using organic methods is necessary.

External Parasites
• The animal body may be infested by skin parasite like lice, tick, and mites.
• Affected animals show rough hair coat and tend to scratch their body to any suitable object
and become restless.
• Open wounds from the bites of these parasites predispose the animals to develop maggots or
`uod` in wounds.

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 • Paleness and poor condition may be due to anemia and disturbed feeding.
• Management:
- Decoction or infusion of plants with reported insecticidal/acaricidal property (neem,
kakawate, ipil-ipil) may be applied.

D. Biosecurity Protocols for Goat Farms

Is a process or procedure of protecting a flock or herd from infectious diseases that do not currently
exist on a property.

Benefits of biosecurity in the farm. Biosecurity prevents disease occurrence and is the most cost
effective way of protecting animals against diseases. Diseases reduces the efficiency of production
and decrease profits.

Quarantine Measures
• Quarantine new stocks for at least 30 days
• Examine and declare free from any infectious disease prior to introduce to the rest of the herd.
• Conduct a regular herd screening/testing for FMD, CAE, tuberculosis, blood parasites and other
diseases.
• Strictly implement the removal of test-positive animals.

Farm gate disinfection procedures

• Employ foot bath for personnel and wheel bath vehicle bath for vehicles entering or leaving the
farm using iodine-based disinfectant.
• Constantly clean and change the foot bath and wheel bath (preferably weekly) to maintain their
potency.
• Require all personnel coming into (travelling from outside to) the farm to change clothing and
footwear before entering to the farm.
• Limit the entry of visitors and vehicles into the farm

Preventing the spread of diseases

• Always begin the herd inspection from the young stocks to mature animals.
• Always examine healthy animals first before the sick animals.
• Conduct routine check-up of the herd before performing necroscopy.
• Avoid herd walk in the farm after necroscopy.
• Wash, disinfect, and store all equipment in clean and dry place after every use.
• Maintain cleanliness in the working area especially after each work session.
• Observe abnormal signs exhibited by the animals and examine at the examination area
• Isolate sick animals and keep in a confined area while undergoing treatment.

Parasite Control
• The use of herbal plants have gained renewed interest with the development of anthelmintic
resistance and preference for organic products.
• Leguminous tree leaves and shrubs are good feed resources for goats with added benefits on
their anthelmintic property.
• You may also try any of the following herbal plants prepared as decoction (a method of
extraction by boiling of herbal or plant material) or bolus (a pre-measured dose of medicine
shaped into a solid large pill to be swallowed). These have been proven to be effective against
gastrointestinal nematodes of goats ( Medina et al. 2003).

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Table 2. Common plants with anthelmintic properties

Scientific Name Common Name Local Name

Leucaena leucocephala Ipil-ipil (leaves) Ipil-ipil
Ananas comosus Pineapple (leaves) Pinya
Moringa oleifera Horse redish tree (leaves) Malunggay
Sesbania grandiflora Katurai (leaves) Katurai
Anona squamosa Atis (leaves) Atis
Strblus asper Aludig (leaves) Aludig
Allium sativum Garlic pod Bawang
Bixa orillana Achuete seed Atsuete
Samanea saman Acacia pod pulp Acacia

The regular use of the above plants for goats have improved the general condition of animals and
reduced the anthelmintic treatments to once a year or none at all (ILRI-IFAD TAG 443 Project).

Procedure in the Collection of Fecal Samples

1. Restrain the animal from moving while collecting the feces directly from the rectum.
2. With a gloved hand (clear plastic will do), insert your middle and index fingers into the
rectum. If your fingers are too big, put few drops of mineral oil at the tip of your fingers so
as not to cause too much pain on the animal.
3. Insert your finger all the way through until you could grasp the fecal pellets. Collect at least
five pellets.
4. Place the pellets in a plastic bag. Be sure to label the source of each sample for
identification.
5. Before closing the plastic, press it between your palms to remove as much air as possible
if the sample will not be examined immediately. Presence of air inside will hasten the
development of the eggs, which may obscure identification.

E. Nutrition

Nutrients are compounds in food essential to life and health of animals, providing with energy, the
building blocks for repair and growth and substances.

• Goats are herbivores and love green stuff. They require a daily supply of good quality hay and
vegetables. It must have a varied and interesting diet and access to bushes and branches as
well.
• Goats should also be fed concentrates (high energy foods enriched with minerals and
vitamins) at certain times in its life such as when pregnant or milking, to ensure they get
essential nutrients. In natural farming, goats are given concoctions (FAA, FFJ, OHN and
molasses) in their water or mixed with feeds to maintain healthy body and bolster its immune
system.
• For a simple farm made feeds, a mixture of 30% hammered yellow corn; 15% soya meal; 55%
of freshly cut grasses (kumpay, rensonii, madre de agua and other edible grasses available in
the farm); and pre-mixed vitamins or concoctions. Give the farm made feeds to the goat at 2%
of its body weight.

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 • Do not overfeed your goats while on its pregnancy stage. Keep it as lean animal to make sure
that it will have a healthy baby goat. Give them water too and add some salt in it. Also deposit
some minerals or salt at the goat’s house where they can take it as they like.
• Goat feeds on grasses, herbs and other edible plants. In case where there are no available
plants, goat can be fed with corn bran, rice or combination of both.

Item Materials Description Qty Cost % of Mixture

#
1 Rice Bran (D1) Fine 100kgs 1,100.00 50.00
2 Corn Bran 65kgs 650.00 32.50
3 ACE-Protein Meal (C++) 15kgs 300.00 07.50
4 Copra Meal 20kgs 180.00 10.00
Total Weight 110 kgs 2,090.00 100%
5 Additives:
ACE Nutri-balancer 2kg 100.00
Salt 1kg 6.00
6 CONCOCTIONS
FAA - 70%
FFJ - 10% 10 tbs 10 Liters
FPJ - 10%
OHN - 10%
Total volume 20 Lts 200.00
7 Labor 2md 500.00
Total Cost P 2,950.00
P 14.75/kg
FRC= 2.5 Feed cost = P 36.88 15 kg/bag

• The compassionate lifelong care of goats at animal sanctuaries starts with the food they’re
provided. While goats are all individuals who have their own preferences and needs, there are
some general principles to consider in their physiology and nutritional needs.
• Although goats have been given the reputation that they will eat practically everything in their
path, they are actually quite sophisticated eaters (though a curious goat may try to nibble on
a fence post or two)
• Goats are known as “browsers”, rather than “grazers”, because they take their time in deciding
what to eat; they try to prioritize the more nutrient-dense offerings available before moving
onto the less nutritious calories.
• Rather than directly receiving nutrients from the food they eat, goats must first ferment their
food in their complex digestive system consisting of four-chambered stomachs and then
absorb the nutrients out of the resultant fermented mixture. As a result of this complex
digestive system, goats typically need to browse for at least eight (8) hours per day.

Daily Food for Goats

• Although grass (in the form of pasture or grass hay) is most likely what you’ll primarily feed
the goats at your sanctuary, goats did not develop subsisting upon grasses alone (in contrast
to grazers like sheep and cows), and as a result, are less resistant to grass-dwelling parasites.
• Ideally (for both their contentment and health), they would be provided with interesting plants
such as hedges of wild shrubs, brush, and trees. However, having the land resources for a goat
to exist fully on interesting foliage year round is unrealistic in most sanctuary environments,
and nutritionally appropriate hay will keep them healthy.

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 Protein
• If allowed adequate pasture, forage, or hay, they should get enough protein in their diet, but
some goats, such as those who are older, younger, ill, or new mothers, may need to have extra
protein supplemented in their diet, such as with soy meal or extra legumes added to their hay.
• Low protein can increase parasite problems in goats and lead to other significant health
challenges, whereas slightly higher protein intake has fewer downsides.

Grain (and formulated goat food from farm supply stores)

• Should be highly limited (if not typically non-existent) on a goat’s menu. It is very high in fat
and can easily cause obesity and painful and dangerous urinary calculi in goats.
• Grain should only be offered to goats who need the extra nutrition due to weight loss or
illness on the recommendation of a veterinarian.

Water
• Goats require a clean, freely-accessible water supply.
• Goats require more water in the hot season, when pregnant, and when eating hay rather than
grass.

Pasture
• Should be divided up and their use rotated throughout the season to give the foliage time to
regenerate and lower the chances of parasites from spreading in the pasture and infecting
your residents.
• Lacking adequate pasture, one should feed goats with high quality goat-approved hay.

Feeder
• It’s best to utilize a goat-friendly hay feeder that will keep their living spaces cleaner and limit
waste.
• Avoid designs optimized for other animals as goats can get their heads stuck in them. These
designs often have tapered vertical bars that have wider gaps towards the top that narrow at
the bottom. A goat may fit their entire head in the gap at its widest point but then become
trapped when they bring their head closer to the ground.
• Goats dying as a result- either from strangulation or breaking their neck trying to free
themselves.

F. Silage
• It is a method used to preserve the pasture to eat later when natural pasture isn’t good.
• The grasses are cut and then fermented to keep as much of the nutrients (such as sugars and
proteins) as possible. The fermentation is carried out by microscopic organisms living in the
grass.
• The process must be carried out under acidic conditions in order to keep nutrients and provide
a form of food that cows and sheep will like to eat. Fermentation at higher pH results in silage
that has a bad taste, and lower amounts of sugars and proteins.

How is silage made?

Preparing the grass

First, the pasture must be cut when the grasses contain their highest nutrient levels. This is usually
just before they are fully mature. This is important because all forms of preserved grass, such as

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hay and silage, will have lower amounts of nutrients than fresh pasture, so everything must be done
to make the end product be as nutritious as possible.

Grass is allowed to wilt in the field for a few hours to reduce the moisture content to around -75%.
This moisture level will allow for optimum fermentation. If the grass is left out longer, it may get
too dry, or it may get rained on - and both these will reduce proper fermentation. Also, the longer
the grass is left uncut, the higher the loss of nutrient

Fermentation
• The cut grass is chopped into even smaller pieces and then compacted to get out as
much oxygen as possible (this is important because the microorganisms, called lactic
acid bacteria, that are needed to carry out the fermentation like living in oxygen-free
environments).
• The next step is to seal the compacted grass with plastic to keep oxygen out. Mounds of
silage are covered with huge polythene (plastic) sheets and weighted down (usually with
old tyres) to ensure maximum compacting; bales are covered with a plastic wrapping.

• Removing and keeping out oxygen is a key part of making silage. This is because
fermentation has to happen under anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions, or the correct type
of microorganisms won’t grow.
• While oxygen remains, plant enzymes and other bacteria and microorganisms react with
the plant sugars and proteins to make energy, reducing the amounts of these nutrients in
the grass.
• Once all of the oxygen is used up, lactic acid bacteria start to multiply. These are bacteria
that are needed to make the silage, and they turn the plant sugars into lactic acid. This
causes the pH to drop (the mixture becomes more acidic). Once the pH is around 4-5, the
sugars stop breaking down and the grass is preserved until the silage is opened and exposed
to oxygen.

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 Summary of the Lesson

Animal disease prevention and early detection are important in raising livestock. The
direct effects of animal diseases on livestock productivity include reduced feed intake, changes in
digestion and metabolism, increased morbidity and mortality and decreased rates of reproduction,
weight gain and milk production. Poor healthcare and nutrition are great factors or causative of these
abnormalities. Likewise, lack of nutrition is highly contributory to livestock productivity and diseases
incidence.

Self-Assessment Question

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions below:

1. Give three signs of a healthy goat

___________________
___________________
___________________

2. Give three signs of a sick goat.

___________________
___________________
___________________

3. Give three common goat diseases.

___________________
___________________
___________________

4. It is a process or procedure of protecting a flock or herd from infectious diseases that do not
currently exist on a property.
a. Fermentation
b. Biosecurity
c. Disease
d. Pasture

5. It is a compound in food essential to life and health of animals, providing with energy, the
building blocks for repair and growth and substances.
a. Silage
b. Protein
c. Nutrients
d. Health

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 Self-Assessment Question
Answer Key
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions below:

1. Give three signs of a healthy goat.

Answers:
- Eats well and chews cud
- has a shiny hair coat
- has strong legs and feet
- is sociable and alert
- has eyes that are bright and clear
- has no discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth
- has firm fecal pellets (dropping)
- its hairs around the anus are not soiled with faces and do not stick together (daggy)

2. Give three signs of a sick goat.

Answers:
- not eating/no sign of cud chewing
- grinding of teeth
- self-isolation from the herd
- weight loss
- hair loss or rough hair coat
- cloudy eyes (corneal opacity) or blindness
- limping or unwillingness to stand
- a change of behaviour such as moving in circles
- dehydration
- pale mucous membranes (inner eyelid)
- fever
- diarrhea
- discharge from nose or mouth
- frequent coughing
- abnormal swelling (joints, navel, neck, foot etc)
- presence of clots or blood in milk

3. Give three common goat diseases.

Answers:
- Kid Hypoglycemia
- Diarrhea
- Mastitis
- Pneumonia
- Orf
- Bloat
- Paralysis
- FMD
- Pink eye
- Tetanus

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 4. It is a process or procedure of protecting a flock or herd from infectious diseases that do
not currently exist on a property.
a. Fermentation
b. Biosecurity
c. Disease
d. Pasture

5. It is a compound in food essential to life and health of animals, providing with energy, the
building blocks for repair and growth and substances.
a. Silage
b. Protein
c. Nutrients
d. Health

NDER

References

• PCAARRD Training Module Series No. 5/2014

• Medina et al. 2003
• Goat Diseases and Farm Herd-Healthy Safety; [Link]
• Silage Making; [Link]
• Seminar-Workshop on Natural Farming Technologies

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