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Stall-fed goats in intensive integrated
farming
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STALL-FED GOATS can ideally fit into
the intensive integrated farming system (IIFS).
The small animals are the most efficient
converters of farm and crop residues into
excellent organic manure. Several
farmers have successfully run stall-fed
goat farms, and they have found that
such an integrated farming venture was more
productive and profitable as well.
Goats relish the stalks and residues of most
of the nutritious cereals, and they do well
particularly when mixed with green fodder
such as grasses and subabul. Special
goat-feeds can be formulated using
farm-grown millets and oilcakes. As the cost
of the feed and also the labor gets
distributed over other farming operations,
the actual cost of raising the goats becomes
minimal. The rich goat manure is ideal for
fertilizing fishponds and all other crops.
It is also a good base material for vermi-composting.
Goat farming needs less capital when
compared with dairying, and the animals can
be raised in small farms. The floor space
requirement per adult animal is about one
square meter. Stall-fed goat farming is
an ideal occupation for the small,
marginal and landless agricultural laborers.
A properly fed and managed milky goat will
yield at least as much milk (on average two
liters per day) as low yielding desi cows.
The she-goat will deliver 2-4 kids at each
parturition after a short gestation period
of 150 days.
A few exotic goats such as Saanen,
Toggenburg, Angora, Anglo-Nubian, British
Alpine, French Alpine have been found to be
well adapted to Indian conditions, and they
are crossed with superior Indian breeds to
get good progeny. The popular Indian breeds
are Sirohi, Jamnapari, Surti, Tellicherry,
Beetal, Malabari, Barbari and Gujarati.
The milky-type animals are ideal for
integrated farming system.
A small shed with good cross ventilation is
enough to keep a small herd. A deep-litter
system with paddy husk and groundnut shell
as bedding material is ideal for raising
goats. The biological activity in the
litter keeps the housing warm in winter and
cool in summer. The bedding material will
last for about six months, and after that it
will have to be changed.
The bedding has to be turned periodically to
remove the foul odour in the pen.
The bedding material collects all the dung
and urine efficiently and it is found to be
an enriched organic manure. An adult goat
will add about a tone of rich manure to the
farm every year.
Though the goats are robust animals
and are resistant to many diseases, they
need to be vaccinated against foot and mouth
disease, rinder pest and tetanus
regularly. The animals need to be dewormed
at least twice a year to keep in good stead.
Goat farming with stall-feeding can
be managed in small yards just like poultry,
and it will prove to be an economical and
rewarding enterprise for the small, marginal
and landless farmers. |
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Exercise Paddock For Stall Fed Goats
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When goats are reared in stall fed system it
is of utmost importance to provide the
exercise paddock. An enclosure measuring 12m
x18 m is adequate for 100 to 125 goats. Some
shade trees may be planted to provide
adequate comfort in summer. The animals
should be allowed to roam about in the
enclosed area for some fixed period to have
sufficient fresh air and exercise. |
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We always invite people who are interested in
Stall Fed Goat Farming and share their
experience and tell us about more information on
Stall Fed Farming.
Please write us your comments, articles and other
useful details to us. To improve this site more
informative and more practical to farmers, students
and viewers of
www.IndianGoatFarm.com
.
email us at :
indiangoatfarm@gmail.com
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