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| Goat been fed |
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Goat farming is the raising and breeding of domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). It is a branch of animal husbandry. Goats are raised principally for their meat, milk, fibre and skin. Goat farming can be very suited to production with other livestock such as sheep and cattle on low-quality grazing land.
In Nigeria, goat meat is widely consumed locally and forms major part of the people’s delicacies. The popular goat meat pepper soup is so tasty that people come from far and wide to have a taste of it. Yet, few farmers are into goat rearing in the country, most of the goats consumed in Nigeria comes from the Niger Republic and the North. Nigerian Dwarf Goats is popular in the South and Eastern part of the country but only kept for family consumption and sold in the local markets occasionally despite the huge demand. Any serious farmer who would take goat farming to serious will make a fortune.
How To Setup Your Goat Farm
1. Pasture – acquire an area of land where you can leave the animals to graze
2. Fencing – you may use barbwire or dwarf wall
3. Treat the pasture land
4. Bring in your desired breed of goats.
If you're new to raising goats, you might wonder how you will know if one of your goats is sick. While some signs of illness are self-explanatory, here's a handy checklist for "what a healthy goat looks like" so that when things are off, you can be on top of the situation. Knowing common goat diseases can help match your goat's symptoms to a possible cause and treatment.
Signs of Stress in New Goats
When you first buy your goats and bring them home, they may be stressed from the transport. Stress is also a sign that something may be off in your goat care: perhaps not enough food (or the wrong kind), insufficient water intake, or maybe one goat is being bullied by its more aggressive herd mates.
Whatever the root cause of the stress, the signs of illness below can also be the symptoms and signs of stress in goats.
At their worst in a newly transported goat, these can develop into shipping fever. This is characterized by pneumonia, diarrhea, a fever over 103.5 degrees F, nasal discharge, coughing, or rapid breathing. If you suspect shipping fever, contact a vet immediately.
Signs of Illness in Goats
If you see these signs, call your veterinarian for advice on whether a visit is warranted or how to monitor the goat further:
Weakness or lethargy: Your goat might not walk normally, or won't be its usual playful self. Its head and ears may droop. Not getting up at all would be the most extreme sign of weakness.
Limping or staggering
Not eating or drinking as usual, or showing little interest in food or water
Sore mouth, blisters in the mouth and nose: This is a sign of orf, a contagious viral infection that can be passed to humans.
Pressing head against wall or fence
Ears held strangely
Not urinating, or difficulty urinating: This can be due to dehydration, urinary tract infection, or a urinary tract stone.
Always be observant as some goats may not show any sign of sickness before they die.
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