NEW REVISED EDITION Raising Goats for Milk and Meat ROSALEE SINN PAUL RUDENBERG Illustrations by BARBARA CARTER HEIFER INTERNATIONAL is a nonprofi t, humanitarian organization dedicated Special thanks to our Creative Services Team to ending world hunger and caring for the earth. Heifer pursues this mission by Pooi Yin Chong, Senior Graphics Designer Kendra R. Johnson, Editor providing livestock, trees, training and other resources to help struggling families Arisha Webb, Creative Services Assistant move toward greater self-reliance and build sustainable futures. Heifer’s gift of “living loans” offers milk, eggs, meat, wool, draft power and other benefi ts that Special thanks to individuals who helped with this book become improved nutrition, health, education and income for resource-poor families. Annette Froman, Administrative Assistant Michael Haddigan, Story Editor Rebecca Hill, Technical Information Specialist Heifer partners with groups to create a development plan with specifi c goals based Kathryn Matchett, Learning Guides Editor on the values of their community. Partners learn to care for animals and grow Louise Montgomery, Glossary and Reference Editor crops in ways that can be sustained for future generations. Heifer adds expertise in animal health and husbandry, water quality, gender equity, agroecology and Copyright © 2008 by Heifer International. All rights reserved. community development. This book, in part or in its entirety, may be copied, reproduced or adapted to meet local needs without Over the years, Heifer has developed a set of guiding principles called The permission from the authors or publisher, provided credit Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development. The Cornerstones form the is given to Heifer International and the authors. acronym “PASSING GIFTS,” an essential element of our sustainable approach. These provisions apply provided the parts reproduced Heifer requires that livestock recipients “pass on the gift” of one or more of are distributed free or at cost and not for profi t. their animal’s offspring and training in environmentally sound agriculture. For reproduction on a commercial basis, permission In this manner, an endless must be fi rst obtained from Heifer International. cycle of transformation is set in motion as recipients become ISBN-13: 978-0-9798439-1-4 equal partners in ending poverty and ISBN-10: 0-9798439-1-X hunger. Since 1944, this common sense approach to sustainable Printed in the United States of America development has enabled Heifer to partner with millions of families Heifer International in more than 125 countries to 1 World Avenue improve their quality of life. Little Rock, AR 72202 www.heifer.org/programinfo iii Chapter 3—Nutrition and Feeding TABLE OF CONTENTS The Learning Guide ........................................................................................31 The Lesson ....................................................................................................35 Nutrients Required in a Goat’s Diet ..........................................................35 Examples of Feeds .................................................................................38 About Heifer International ................................................................................ iii Comparative Feeding Value of Selected Feedstuffs ...................................39 Table of Contents ........................................................................................iv-viii Feeding Goats During Wet and Dry Seasons .............................................40 Heifer International Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development ............. ix Feeding Newborns, Orphans and Young Kids ............................................40 Preface ........................................................................................................... x ■ Milk for Family Use While Kids are Nursing .................................42 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................xi-xii ■ Providing Forages and Concentrate to Kids .................................42 Introduction ...................................................................................................xiii ■ Hand Feeding Kids ...................................................................42 How to Use This Book ............................................................................... xiv-xvii Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) Prevention Program ............................43 Story From Cambodia: Goat Production Mitigates Poverty Impact .................xviii-xix Feeding Mature Goats .............................................................................44 Examples of Feeds Using Oats and Wheat Bran ........................................46 Story From Nepal: Goats Provide Meat, Income and Self-Esteem ........................47 Chapter 1—Introduction to Goat Care and Management The Learning Guide ..........................................................................................1 The Lesson ......................................................................................................5 Chapter 4—Forage Production, Pastures and Environmental Management Benefi ts of Owning a Goat .........................................................................7 The Learning Guide ........................................................................................49 Challenges of Owning a Goat .....................................................................8 The Lesson ....................................................................................................51 Parts of a Goat’s Body ..............................................................................8 Introduction to Forages ...........................................................................51 The Ruminant Digestive System .................................................................8 Goats and Environmental Management ....................................................52 Determining the Age of Goats ..................................................................10 ■ Grazing Management ................................................................53 Estimating the Body Weight of Goats .......................................................11 ■ Forage Management .................................................................54 Desired Characteristics ...........................................................................13 Plant Management and Soil Improvement .................................................54 Body Condition Scoring ...........................................................................15 Parasite Control Through Forage Management ..........................................55 Hoof Trimming ........................................................................................18 ■ Toxic Plants ..............................................................................56 Identifi cation of Goats .............................................................................19 Cutting and Storing Forage ......................................................................57 Story From Cameroon: Empowering Women Through Small-Scale Goat Farming ..20 A Sampling of Common Forage Plants for Goats .......................................58 ■ Grasses ...................................................................................58 ■ Legumes, Including Nitrogen-Fixing Trees ...................................60 Chapter 2—Husbandry Systems, Shelters, Feeders and Equipment ■ Other Selected Forages ............................................................63 The Learning Guide ........................................................................................21 Story From Kosova: Goats Changed Vehbi’s Family Living ...................................64 The Lesson ....................................................................................................23 Household Production ............................................................................................23 Husbandry Systems ................................................................................23 Chapter 5—Reproduction ■ Zero Grazing .............................................................................23 The Learning Guide ........................................................................................65 ■ Semi-Intensive Systems ............................................................24 The Lesson ....................................................................................................67 ■ Extensive Production ................................................................24 Breeding and Selection ...........................................................................67 Shelters and Housing ..............................................................................25 ■ Pure-breeding ...........................................................................68 Mangers and Other Feeding Equipment ....................................................26 ■ Cross-breeding .........................................................................68 Fencing, Tethering and Herding ................................................................27 ■ Line-breeding ...........................................................................68 Story From Guatemala: Success Through Leadership and Sharing ......................30 ■ In-breeding ...............................................................................68