This document provides an overview of raising small ruminants like goats. It defines key terms and the anatomy of goats. Goats are ruminants with four chambered stomachs that aid digestion. Various goat breeds are described for dairy, meat, or dual purposes. The document discusses goat housing, feeding, breeding, kidding, and potential health issues like bloat.

1. RAISE SMALL RUMINANTS(GOAT)
Terms and terminologies
• Ruminant- animalswithfourchamberedstomachwhichplaysavital role indigesting,
regurgitatingandre-digesting
• Buck or Billy- Male BreederGoat
• Doe or nanny- Female BreederGoat
• Kids- newlyborn goat
• Gestation- Pregnancystage
• Kidding- actof givingbirthof the Doe
• Freshening-astage commonlyafterkidding,where the Doe beginshermilkproduction.
• Soilage- Forage thatare freshlycutand feedtolivestock
• Concentrates- Highenergyfoodsenrichedwithvitaminsandminerals.
Overview
• ScientificName Caprahircus
• Goats meatare one of the favourite foodsforFilipinosdue tothe special delicacyof itsmeat.
• Many people believedthatgoatshave some medicinal componentsof itsmeatbecause theyeat mostly
herbsand grassesinthe farm.
• Goats can survive andthrive justaboutanywhere.
• Goats are ruminantsandherbivores.
• Goat hair,milkand meatare the outputof Goat Production.
Overview
• Goats milkiseasiertodigestthancowsmilk.
• Howevernotall goatsare justusedfor humanprovisions.A lotof people keepgoatsaspets.
• Goats have manysimilaritiestosheep.The onlymaindifference betweensheepandgoatsisthatgoat have
shortertailsthansheepandgoat hornsare longerandgrow inupward, backward,and outwarddirections,
while hornsona sheepgrowina twistedspiral shape.
• Goats milkiseasiertodigestthancowsmilk.
• Howevernotall goatsare justusedfor humanprovisions.A lotof people keepgoatsaspets.
• Goats have many similaritiestosheep.The onlymaindifference betweensheepandgoatsisthatgoat have
shortertailsthansheepandgoat hornsare longerandgrow inupward,backward,and outwarddirections,
while hornsona sheepgrowina twistedspiral shape.
Types ofProduction for Goats
• DairyType – raisedto produce goatsmilk
• Meat Type – raisedformeatproductionpurposes
• Dual Type – Both Dairyand Meat Productionpurposes
Breedsof Goats
Boer
• characterizedbyitsRoman nose andlong,hangingears.
• Knownas “gentle giants”due totheirlarge size andlaid-backpersonalities
• have highdisease resistance andadaptwell tonearlyeveryenvironment.
• Bestoptionformeat production
Saanen
• Thisbreedproducedhighqualityandrichmilkthatis usedtomake cheese.
• Havingan erectedear
• large milkproducers,theycanproduce upto 1 gallonof milkperday whichisrich andnutritiouswithan
approximate butterfatcontentof 2.5 -3 percentfat.
Anglo Nubian
• isa multi-purpose goatbreed.
• Thisgoat breedproduceshigh quality,milkrichinnutrientsaswell asgrowingbigenoughmakingitsuitable
for meatproduction.

2. Toggenburg
• Theyare alsocreditedasbeingthe oldestknowndairy goatbreed.
• Thisbreedismediumsize,sturdy,vigorous,andalertinappearance.
• Theircoloris solid,varyingfromlightfawntodarkchocolate withnopreference foranyshade.
Alpine
• Mediumto largedsize breed
• Unique mediumsized,uprightearsanda straightface withromannose
• Knownforboth gratefulnessandhardiness
• Extremely adaptabledairygoat
• Maintainsbothexcellentmilkproductionandhealthinstressful climates.
Goats Anatomy
Physical Appearance of a healthyGoats
Appearance of the animal
• The healthyanimal isalertandaware of itssurroundings.Itisactive and holdsitsheadupwatching
whatis happeningaroundit.
• It shouldstandonall of itsfeet.The separationof ananimal fromthe othersinitsgroup isoftena
signof a healthproblem.
• An animal whichisnotinterestedinitssurroundingsanddoesnotwantto move hashealth
problems.
Movement
• The healthyanimal will walkeasilyandsteadilywithall of itsfeettakingitsweight.
• Stepsshouldbe regular.Irregularmovementresultsfrompaininthe feetorlimbs.
• If you go nearan animal that islyingdownit shouldstandup quicklyotherwise ithashealthproblems.
Physical Appearance of a healthy Goats
• Eyes
The eyesshouldbe brightandalertwithno discharge atthe corners.
Nose and muzzle
• The nose shouldbe cleanwithnodischarge.
• In sheepandgoats, the nose shouldbe cool and dry.

3. • Healthyanimalsfrequentlylicktheirnoseswiththeirtongues.
• Mouth
• There shouldbe nosalivadrippingfromthe mouth.If chewingisslow orincompletethere mustbe a
problemwiththe teeth.
• The coat
• In short-hairedanimals,e.g.goatandcattle,the hairor coat of the healthyanimal will be smoothandshiny.
Goats Physical Anatomy
The Four chamberedstomach
• Rumen – largestof the fourstomach.Thiscompartmentalsoknownas the “paunch”,whichcontainsmany
microorganisms(bacteriaandprotozoa) thatsupplyenzymestobreakdownfiberandotherfoodthatgoats
eat.
• Reticulum– Thiscompartment,alsoknownasthe “hardware stomach”or “honeycomb”,islocatedjust
belowthe entrance of the esophagusintothe stomach.
• Omasum- Thiscompartmentalsoknownas“many plies”,consistsof manyfoldsorlayersof tissue thatgrind
up feedingestaandremove some of the waterfromthe feed.
• Abomasum – This compartmentismore oftenconsideredasthe true stomachof the ruminantanimal.It
functionssimilarlytohumanstomachs.Itcontainshydrochloricacidanddigestiveenzymesthatbreakdown
foodparticlesbefore theyenterthe small intestine.
More detail about Goat Breeding
• Doesof anybreedcome intoheatevery21 daysfrom 2-48 hours.A doe inheattypicallyflagshertail often,
staysnear the buck if one ispresent.She becomesvocal,andmayalsoshow a decrease inappetite andmilk
productionforthe durationof heat.

4. • Bucks alsohave a change in normal behaviourpriortobreeding.Theyenteraperiodknown“RUT” which
characterizedasa decrease inappetite,obsessive interestinthe does,fightingbetweenBucks,adifferent
displayof behaviourandmostnotably,astrongodor.
• Goat sexual maturityrange from4 monthsto 6 months
• GestationPeriodis150 days
Goat Diet
• Goats are Herbivores
• Theyrequire adailysupplyof goodqualityhayandvegetables.
• Goats shouldalsobe fedwithconcentrates atcertaintimesinitslife suchas whenpregnantormilkingto
ensure theygetessentialnutrients.
• Evengoats are scavengerssupplementationof highproteinsoilageisrequiredatminimumlevel.
• In natural farminggoatsare givenconcoctions(FAA,FFJ, OHN andmolasses)
Goat Diet
• For a simple farmmade feedsamixture of 30% corn bran,15% soya meal and55% soilage (Freshlycut
foliage orgrassessuchas napier,tricantera(Madre de Agua),indigofera,andotheredible grasses) mixed
withconcoctions.
• Provide farmmade feedstothe goat2% of its bodyweight.
Goat Housing
• It shouldbe elevatedfromthe groundat least4 ft
• It shouldbe draught-free shelter
• Space requirementforgoatis1 : 4 sq.m
• Means forelectriclighting
• Saltor mineral licksare also necessityforgoatsat all times.
• Good ventilationintheirshelterisimportantbutnotdraughty.
• For kidgoats,a small benchof some kindisa must.
Kidding(Parturation)
Signs ofBirth
Look for these typical signs that can appear 1-3 days prior to kidding.
• Udder Swelling
• Softeningof ligaments(Back,Belly&Pelvic)
• Swollenvulva
• Protrudingback& pelvicbones
• Reluctance toEat
• Stayingawayfrom the herdRestlessness
• Water bag appearance (filledwithclearfluid)
Progressionof Birth
Leave the doe alone once the birthis initiated.The kidshouldbe born30 minutesafterthe waterbag
breaks.Frontfeethoof pointingdownwardwithheadrestingonthe feetisthe normal positionof birth.If the hoofs
are pointingupwardthe kidisinbreachpositionandassistance maybe neededinthissituation.
Kiddingcompletesinthree phases:
• Relaxingoropeningphase- (showstypical signsof birthandcan lastfor a few hours)
• Expulsionphase-(bellymusclescontracttoexpel the kidorkidsoutand lastsan average of a ½ hr).In
delayedexpulsionthe nose andtongue of the kidcanturn bluish,whichisnormal.
• Expulsionof fetal membranes- (the lastdeliveredkidbringsafterbirthswithitandsometimesitcantake up
to 8 hrs hoursbefore the complete fetal membranesare expelled.)
A small amountof bleedingduringkiddingshouldbe of noconcern.
Things to do ImmediatelyafterBirth
As soonas the kidis completelycutthe umbilical cordshouldbreak onitsown.Make sure the kidis
breathingbycleaningthe mouthandnose.Letthe doe lickthe kid;this helpsinbonding.Afterthe birth,checkthe
teatsof the motherto see if theyare openand she has milk.Itisimportantkidsdrinkthe firstmilk(colostrum)to
gainimmunity.Ensure enoughconsumptionof colostruminfirst12hrs of life:10-20% of itsbodyweightwithin3-12
hoursafterbirth (Pugh) If the motherdoesnothave enough,use colostrumfromanotherdoe.Admi nisterOHN12
tbspper litre asantibiotictDoe.

5. Unproductive buck/ram or doe/ewe
• Infertile/abnormal spermfromthe buck
• Diseasessuchasbrucellosis,leptospirosisandvibriosis
• Poorgrowth traitsand reproductive efficacy
• Irregularityof estruscycle
• Poorgrowth andreproductive traits
• Susceptibilitytodiseases
• Productionof abnormal eggs/ova
• Overfatcondition
Bloat in Goats
A goat's rumenisa big fermentationvatwhichproducescarbondioxideandmethane gas These gassesare
eliminatedbythe goat burpingandpooting.A goat needstoexpel theirgas,nomatterhow rude or funnyyoumay
thinkitmay be. If theycannotexpel the gas,the pressure buildsupandthe goat"bloats". Whenthishappens,the
leftside of the goatwill become distendedwhichmightevencause difficultyinbreathing.
What causesbloat?
• Overeating
• Eatingfoodswhichproduce lotsof gas overa shortperiodof time
• A suddenchange indiet;toomuchof a new food
• Certainweeds,suchasMilkweeds,cancreate an imbalance within the rumen,therebycausingbloat.
• Uncuredhay and grass hay,such as hay that isstill wetormoldycan cause bloatif consumedinexcess.
• In kids,bloatcan occur whentheyare fedmilkreplacersasopposedtoreal goatmilk.
• Obstructionof the oesophagus
• Paralysisof the face such as withTetanus
Signs ofbloat
• The abdomenisobviouslydistended,especiallyonthe leftside.
• Signsof discomfortsuchas "mawing",kickingorgrindingtheirteeth.Depression
• In more seriousforms:difficultybreathing.
Signs ofbloat
• The abdomenisobviouslydistended,especiallyonthe leftside.
• Signsof discomfortsuchas "mawing",kickingorgrindingtheirteeth.Depression
• In more seriousforms:difficultybreathing.
Treatment
• Stopthe goat fromeatinganymore.
• Administerorally1/4- 1/3 cup of vegetable/peanutoil.
• The oil breaksthe tensionof the bubblesinthe stomach/fermentationvat,sotheycan thenpopand
the gas expelled.
• Do not use mineral oil.Because mineral oilistasteless,the goatmaynotknow to swallow andthe
mineral oil couldgetintotheirlungs.
• Massage goatssides,especiallythe leftside(rumen) until the goatbeginstoburpandfart.
• If the bloatisreallybad,call a vet immediatelybecause the pressure inthe abdomencancouldstopthe
lungsand heartfromworking.The veterinarianwill release the gasbymakinga small incision.The incisionis
made fourfingerswidthbehindthe bottomof the ribsonthe leftside of the goat as itlies.
• If the goat isnear death,asa lastresort,youmay try puncturingthe rumenwitha stabbingaction,usinga
verysharp,pointedknife orpreferablyatrocar and cannula.Aimforthe highestspotonthe leftside and
plunge intothe rumen.The dangerwiththisisthat the rumencontentsand/ordirtfromthe outside canget
betweenthe layersbetweenthe rumen,peritoneumandskinandcause a veryseriousinfectioncalled
peritonitis.Butif the goat inneardeath,anythingisworthtryingto save her.