The A-Z of keeping goats for profit

Goats during Kimalel goat Auction in Kimalel, Baringo county. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Goats are browsers and have a good appetite for a variety of vegetation. In a ranch system, they help reduce the population of noxious weeds and will make good meat out of shrubs and bushes. When kept in confinement the feeders should be raised to mimic the browsing behaviour and this will also increase feed intake. Goats do not like feeding from the floor and most feed put on the floor will go to waste. In addition, consider supplementation with mineral links.

Play, Dominance and Injuries

Within herds goats quickly establish a hierarchy and dominant goats can be bullies. This presents a problem when they are kept in confinement. To overcome this, provide several feeding points so that the goats of lower status within the herd get an opportunity to eat. Goats like to play, climb, or jump across structures and objects, which can be dangerous at times. Therefore, they should be protected from any potential injuries. Goats fight by head butting therefore consider dehorning as a way of reducing injuries from such fights. Note that fight injuries are common during breeding seasons. Therefore, do not introduce new bucks at such times to avoid such fights.

Signs of trouble

Common things to look out for are any wounds from injuries, limping and reduction in appetite. Any goat showing any clinical signs should be isolated from the herd and treated by a vet. Endeavour to prevent diseases through vaccination, internal and external parasite control, breeding selection, proper hoof care and good nutrition.

[The writer is a veterinary surgeon and the head of communications at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Kenya. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of FAO]