ENJAY AGRI TOURISM

FARM
Purok Vanda, Bagong Silang, Maragusan,
Davao de Oro

RAISE
ORGANIC
SMALL
RUMINANTS

1
 Breed of Small Ruminants
Introduction
Ruminants are mammals that are able to acquire nutrients from
plant-based food by fermenting it in a specialized stomach prior to
digestion, principally through microbial actions. The process, which takes
place in the front part of the digestion system and therefore is called
foregut fermentation, typically requires the fermented ingesta (known as
cud) to be regurgitated and chewed again. The process of rechewing the
cud to further break down plant matter and stimulate digestion is called
rumination. The word "ruminant" comes from the Latin ruminare,
which means "to chew over again".
The primary difference between ruminants and non-ruminants is
that ruminants' stomachs have four compartments:
Rumen— primary site of microbial fermentation
Reticulum — hardware stomach
Omasum— receives chewed cud, and absorbs volatile fatty acids
Abomasum – true stomach
Sector: AGRI - FISHERY
SELECTING BREEDING STOCK
Goats are very popular among Filipinos because they require low
Qualificatio ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION capital investment, fit the small hold farm condition, and multiply fast.
n Culturally, goats are integral to every special occasion such as birthdays,
baptisms, weddings, and fiestas. Hence, they command a higher price
Unit of Competency: RAISE ORGANIC SMALL RUMINANTS compared with other meats in the market.

Module Title: RAISING ORGANIC SMALL RUMINANTS

ENJAY AGRI TOURISM

FARM
Purok Vanda, Bagong Silang, Maragusan,
Davao de Oro

2
 Goats require low maintenance because they eat tree leaves, the first place. As mentioned above, goats are prolific milk producers.
weeds, grasses, and agricultural by- products. They are not only a source Each doe will give roughly 90 quarts of milk per month, with two months
of protein for Filipinos, but they also provide the much- needed income. In off right before she gives birth.
fact, goats provide livelihood to about 15 million Filipinos across the Goat meat is very popular in most of the world, and although it
country today. isn't commonplace in the United States, many people here do eat it. There
As goat production requires low initial investment and small risks is such a demand that goat meat must be imported into the US every year.
compared to other livestock species, it is thus an attractive undertaking It's fairly easy to keep dairy goats and raise the bucks for meat since you
among resource- poor families. Moreover, women and children can raise have to breed your does to keep them in milk and roughly half of all kids
the species, making it a sound option to augment the country's programs are male. However, the Boer is the main meat breed in the US, primarily
on livelihood. raised for meat, not milk. Another option is to breed your milking goats
At the moment, there is an increase in demand for goats. Although to Boers or another meat breed to produce crossbred kids for meat, while
total goat inventory in the country is steadily increasing at 2% per year, still keeping does for milk.
still there is not enough supply to meet current demands. It is expected GOAT BREEDS FOR MILK
that this increased demand will last to 2020, the year when supply is Here are some of the most popular goat breeds for milk.
projected to meet demand.
Considering these, goat production is indeed a promising venture Breed Characteristics
and anyone interested to go into this business is expected to reap positive Also known as French Alpine Goats. It can produce 1-2 gal of
Alpine
rewards. milk. Milk fat contains 3.5%.
Starting with and selecting the right goat will go a long way Good for milk and a friendly goat. It has great personality. Its
towards ensuring a successful goat enterprise, no matter what the La Mancha
milk has 4.2% fat concentration.
production emphasis is or where the farm or ranch is located. It can produce 0.5-1.5 gal of milk a day. Its milk fat content is
It is very important that the appropriate breed(s) or type(s) be Nubian
5%. It has a long body which is also good in meat production.
chosen, that they be well-adapted to the environment and production The largest dairy breed. Can produce 1 gal of milk daily. Its fat
Saanen
system in which they will be raised, and that they be suited to the markets content contains 2.5-3%. Can be also used in meat production.
in which they will be sold. It is almost always better to upgrade local Its milk fat content is 3.3%. A hardy breed and ideal for meat
Toggenburg
breeds or stock than to introduce new breeds or genetics that may not be too.
adapted to the local environment or production system. Oberhasli Its milk fat content is 3.6%. Can produce .5-1.5 gal of milk daily.
Most small ruminant selection is still based on visual appraisal. GOATNigerian
BREEDS Its FOR
milk can produce 6.1% butterfat. It size is about half size of
MEAT
Unfortunately, you can't tell much about the future productivity of an Here Dwarf an the
are some of average
mostgoat.
popular goat breeds for meat.
animal simply by looking at it. Ideally, goat selection should be a
combination of visual appraisal and evaluation of performance Breed Characteristics
records. Spanish Originated in Spain. It can handle most climates, low maintenance.
BREEDS OF GOAT Can grow up to 300 pounds, has a large size and are resistant to
Boer
diseases and reproduce often.
Goat is one of the most popular animals for milk and meat
Goat that are tall, wide, and with short hair. Reproduce well in dry
production. These cute, friendly animals are much easier to raise than Rangeland
conditions.
cows, making them the best animal to raise for a small-scale farmer or
Its meat is tender and rather lean. It is immune to common
homesteader. Kalahari
Each breed has different meat and milk production rate, if you diseases.
A HEALTHY GOAT
want to get the most out of your goat, you need to raise the right breed in It is low maintenance and can survive most conditions. Good
Kiko
mother
3
 There are two fundamental skills that a goat owner must develop,
firstly an ability to recognize any physical changes and secondly any
behavioral changes that may develop when a goat is unwell. It follows
therefore that to recognize the abnormal - a skilled goat owner should get
to know their goats well, recognizing that even within a group kept
together - there will be individual variation. A healthy goat should be
bright, alert, inquisitive and interested in its surroundings. The coat should
be shiny, the eyes bright and nostrils clean. If you have a thermometer
take your goats temperature - as a guide, the "normal" range is 38.60C to
40.60C - average 39.30 C (102 - 1040F).
SIGNS OF ILL-HEALTH PHILIPPINE
Physical signs that things may be wrong include diarrhea, a NATIONAL
persistent cough, sudden weight loss, any nervous signs, going off feed etc STANDARD FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
- and/or a rise in temperature. Refusing feed or a gradual reduction in daily Minimum requirements for animal production
feed intake may be early signs that something is wrong, and as a browsing Animal husbandry management
animal, they may begin to seek out and eat plants that they would not A. Management of the environment of the animals shall take into
normally eat such as ivy leaves. On the whole, goats are not very vocal account the behavioral needs of the animals and provide for:
animals, if they do begin to make a noise, then they may simply be hungry  sufficient free movement, as applicable;
and will stop when they are fed. It is important to point out to a novice
keeper that does can be very vocal when on heat - and this can be mistaken  sufficient fresh air and natural daylight according to the needs of
for pain / discomfort. An increasing bleating or crying which is totally out the animal
of character however, maybe a sign that something is wrong; as the degree  protection against excessive sunlight, temperatures, rain, and
of discomfort increases, the volume may get louder, but as the condition
worsens, the volume and intensity may decrease and this is never a good wind according to the needs of the animals;
sign.  Enough lying and/or resting arca according to the needs of the
Goats are easy to care for. animals.
These are the signs of a healthy goat.  For all animals requiring bedding, natural materials shall be
A healthy goat provided;
• Eyes clear and bright. Tearing or cloudy eyes probably mean a ----free access to fresh water and feeds according to the needs of
pinkeye infection. the animals; and
----access to pasture.
• Coat smooth and shiny. A dull coat could indicate parasites.
Fluffed up coat means the goat is not feeling well. The competent authority may allow exceptions when the animals'
physiological state, inclement weather conditions, and topography so
• Appetite good. However, it is normal for a doe in labor to refuse permit, or the structure of certain traditional fanning systems restrict
to eat. access to pasture, providing the welfare of the animals can be guaranteed.
B. Landless animal husbandry systems and/ or complete confinement of
• Attitude alert. Hunched back and droopy tail mean something is animal systems (e.g. 'battery-type' cage, single pen) are prohibited.
wrong.
Cage Site and Equipment

4
C. Herd animals shall not be kept individually, except in cases of the Other requirements for goat Housing
following:
 Animals about to give birth or have just given birth should be 1. Means for Electric lighting
separated from other animals and should be given the
necessary veterinary attention; and 2. Hayracks
 As part of biosecurity measures, sick, injured, or disabled 3. Food and water buckets
animals should be separated from healthy animals and should 4. Bucket holder
be given the necessary veterinary attention. 5. Salt or mineral licks are also necessary for goat all the time.
Housing Goats
Whether on range or confined feeding, housing provisions are 6. Good ventilation
necessary. A goat house or shed must be built to provide shelter. Goats are 7. for kid goats. A small bench of some kind is a must. They will
afraid of rain and wetness as these make them prone to pneumonia. They jump on and off the bench also lieu on or underneath.
also prefer sleeping in elevated flat forms like a stair type arrangement. It 8. Goats do like companionship, so it might be a good idea, not to just
must be well ventilated and drained and easy to clean. buy one goat, but have two or more instead.
Feeding racks (silage, water, mineral and concentrate) should be
accessible to both animals and caretaker, preferably in the front of the
aisle. In natural farming, goats are given concoctions (FAA, FFJ, OHN and
molasses) their water or mixed with the feeds to maintain healthy body
Fencing Goats
and booster its immune system.
For simple farm made feeds, a mixture of
• 30% hammered yellow corn

• 15% soya meal

• 55% of freshly cut grasses (Kumpay, rensonti, madre

de agua and other edible grasses available in the farm)
Fencing is a little more complex. Goats need a very strong fence
that they can’t climb over, knock down or otherwise escape from. If there
is so much as a tiny hole, they will find a way to get out. They use their
• pre-mixed vitamins and concoctions
Give the made feeds to the goat at 2% of its body weight
lips to explore their world, so if a gate latch is loose, they can wiggle it
open will their lips and escape. They also chew almost everything - rope, Goats can be pastured on grass or browse in the woods, eating
electrical wiring, and so on, are all fair game. And goats can jump and shrubs, and young trees. It's important to rotate goats to new pasture so
climb. Your goat house should have a climbing-proof roof. that they graze it evenly and don't foul it up, which can lead to a buildup
High-tensile, smooth electrified wire is ideal if you want to take an of parasites.
existing fence and make it goat-proof. You can use a nonelectric fence at Goats require additional hay even when they have pasture, as
least four feet high, five feet for active breeds like Nubians. Brace corners they can't eat all fresh grass. You can feed hay free choice - give them as
and gates on the outside so the goats can't climb up the braces. You can much as they desire. Young goats and pregnant or milk-producing does
use wooden fencing, stock panels, or chain-link fence, or you can combine require some goat 'concentrate," or goat chow.
a wooden rail fence with woven wire.

5
 Basic care
Like any other animal, a goat can survive without food for several
days, but not without water provide automatic waterers in goat pens, and
also leave a bucket of water. In some areas, of the country, it’s important
to make sure the water doesn't freeze, but we don't have that problem.
Although many goat owners feel that a twice daily feeding is best,
others feed only once a day and still have perfectly healthy goats- You
will have to decide what is practical for your animal and your schedule.
Try to keep both food and water where they cannot be soiled by the goat.
The basic food is alfalfa hay- An adult dairy goat doe eats about
1/2 flake a day (about 5 pounds). This is supplemented with a grain
mixture that contains 14— 16% protein depending on the additional needs
of the goat:
Lifespan: 15-18 years
 Dairy doe in milk: 2-3 pounds Mass: 20-140kgs (Adult)
 Pygmy doe in milk: 1-2 pounds
 Dry doe: 0-1 pounds Scientific name: Capra Aegagrus Hircus
 Pregnant doe: (last 1-2 months) 1-2 pounds Gestation Period: 150 days
 Weathers: Usually given no grain.

Also provide either a loose mineral mix or a mineral break. Since Goat is a social animal that likes to spend
alfalfa hay is high in calcium, we make sure the mineral mix is high in
phosphorous and low in calcium to maintain the proper calcium-to-
time with other goats.
phosphorous ratio.
Although this diet works, it is suggested that you consult with a local goat
breeder or veterinarian who is more familiar with the nutritional needs of
your goats and the nutritional value of the feed in your area.
One good rule of thumb: don’t make drastic changes to your
How to Feed and Tend Goats on the Small Farm goats’ diet all at once. Don’t feed them large amounts of a new food.
Either of these practices can lead to a major digestive upset for your
goats.
If you’re just starting a goat herd, you will know that goats require
some knowledge to feed them right. Whether raising goats for meat,
establishing a dairy herd, or just practicing sustainable living on your
homestead, goats need attention to their nutrition to thrive.