Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
of barbed wire for dairy goats should be considered care-
fully because of possible udder damage when goats push
on it. At least fi ve to six strands of 12.5 gauge high-tensile
electric wire is also successfully used for boundary fencing,
preferably energized with solar electric generators to con-
serve energy. The more recent eight-strand high-tensile
fence with the second, third, fourth, and fi fth wire electri-
fi ed has proven to be an effective goat-tight fence. For
kidding goats, the bottom wire should be on a cutout
switch to “turn on” during kidding and off after weaning.
The same number of strands or less will work for cross
fencing. Electric netting or portable fences are also avail-
able for temporary fencing.
listeria and coccidia. Disinfection is a must when equip-
ment is rotated between different groups of animals, even
if they are from the same herd.
H
AY
, G
RAIN
,
AND
M
INERAL
F
EEDERS
Feed is the largest cost in any livestock operation.
Therefore, feeders (hay, grain, and mineral) that minimize
waste are preferred. The best feed or mineral in the world
becomes barnyard litter the moment it touches the ground
because goats do not like to eat off the ground or eat soiled
feed. When selecting feeders, the following factors should
be considered:
Feed wastage — when goats grasp feed or mineral.
Trough space allowance — to avoid dominant behavior.
Ease of removing leftover feed daily—goats do not like
their feed sniffed and slobbered on.
Durability — to handle a goat attack.
Position of feeder—to avoid injury or feed wastage.
Cleaning and disinfecting — to control the spread of
disease.
Moveable — for
Equipment
Equipment may include all types of feeders, waterers,
corrals, and working facilities on a meat goat farm, or more
specialized equipment such as milking and milk storage
facilities on dairy farms. Hay, grain, and mineral feeders,
and waterers and water delivery systems will be discussed
here. However, corrals, working facilities, and more spe-
cialized dairy facilities will be discussed in the following
sections.
Various types of equipment are available for purchase,
or other designs can be built. Equipment must be easy to
use and serve its specifi c purpose. Sanitation and cleanli-
ness should be considered when choosing equipment.
Plastic and metal materials are easier to clean and disinfect
than wood. Equipment must be cleaned periodically to
prevent the spread of organisms harboring disease such as
browsing
systems
where
goats
are
moved often.
It is important to select feeders that are practical for both
the owner and the goat. Figure 17.3 shows some examples
of feeders that have been used with success.
W
ATER
D
ELIVERY
S
YSTEMS
Water is the most important nutrient for goats. In fact,
goats can live much longer without food than water. In
Grain Feeder
Hay Feeder
Wildwind Farm, Wetumpka, Alabama.
http://www.egwildwind.com
Figure 17.3
Low-cost feeders. Courtesy: Sandra Solaiman. For color detail, see Appendix A.
