lOMoARcPSD|15867820

COMPETENCY-BASED
LEARNING MATERIAL

SECTOR : Agriculture and Fishery

QUALIFICATION
:
COMPETENCY :

MODULE TITLE :

Organic Date Developed: Document No:

Agriculture
JANUARY 25, 2024 PAGE 1 OF 33
Production NC II

Raising Developed by: Issued by

Organic AVELYN JAMORA-DEQUILLA
Small REVISION # 00
Ruminants
 HOW TO USE THIS COMPETENCY BASED LEARNING MATERIAL
Welcome to the module in Organic Agriculture Production NC II. This module
contains training materials and activities for you to complete.
You are required to go through a series of learning activities in order to
complete each learning outcome of the module. In each learning outcome are
Information Sheets, Self-Checks, Operation Sheets and Job Sheets. Follow these
activities on your own. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask your
trainer/facilitator for assistance.
This module was prepared to help you achieve the required competency, in Organic
Agriculture Production NC II. A person who has achieved this Qualification is competent to
be:

• Organic Agriculture Farmer

• Organic Chicken Raiser
• Organic Hogs Raiser
• Organic Small Ruminants Raiser
• Organic Vegetables Farmer
• Organic Concoctions and Extracts Producer
• Organic Fertilizer Producer

This will be the source of information for you to acquire knowledge and skills
in this particular competency independently and at your own pace, with minimum
supervision or help from your instructor.
Remember to:

Work through all the information and complete the activities in each section.
Read information sheets and complete the self-check. Suggested references are
included to supplement the materials provided in this module.
Most probably your trainer will also be your supervisor or manager. He/she is
there to support you and show you the correct way to do things.
You will be given plenty of opportunity to ask questions and practice on the job.
Make sure you practice your new skills during regular work shifts. This way you will
improve both your speed and memory and also your confidence.
Organic Date Developed: Document No:
Agriculture
JANUARY 25, PAGE 1 OF 33
Production NC II
2024
Raising Developed by: Issued by
Organic AVELYN JAMORA-DEQUILLA
Small REVISION # 00
Ruminants
 Use the self-check, Operation Sheets or Job Sheets at the end of each section to
test your own progress.
When you feel confident that you have had sufficient practice, ask your Trainer
to evaluate you. The results of your assessment will be recorded in your Progress Chart
and Accomplishment Chart.

Organic Date Developed: Document No:

Agriculture
JANUARY 25, PAGE 1 OF 33
Production NC II
2024
Raising Developed by: Issued by
Organic AVELYN JAMORA-DEQUILLA
Small REVISION # 00
Ruminants
 LIST OF COMPETENCIES

No. Unit of Competency Module Title Code

Core Competencies

1. AGR612301
Raise organic chicken Raising organic chicken
2. Produce organic vegetables
Producing organic
vegetables AGR611306
3. AGR611301
Produce organic fertilizer Producing organic fertilizer

4. AGR611302
Produce organic concoctions Producing organic
and extracts concoctions and extracts
Elective Competencies
5.
Raise organic hogs Raising organic hogs AGR612302
6.
Raise organic small Raising organic small
ruminants ruminants AGR612303

Organic Date Developed: Document No:

Agriculture
JANUARY 25, 2024 PAGE 1 OF 33
Production NC II

Raising Developed by: Issued by

Organic AVELYN JAMORA-DEQUILLA
Small REVISION # 00
Ruminants
UNIT OF COMPETENCY : RAISE ORGANIC SMALL
RUMINANTS UNIT CODE : AGR612303
UNIT DESCRIPTOR : This unit covers the ability to carry-out the knowledge, skills
and attitude required in raising organic small ruminant.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
ELEMENT Italicized terms are elaborated in the Range of Variables

1. Select healthy breeders 1.1. Bucks and rams are identified according to breed
and suitable cages 1.2. Healthy bucks/rams are selected based on industry
acceptable indicator for healthy small ruminants.
1.3. Suitable site for small ruminants are determined based on PNS
recommendations.
1.4. Small ruminants cage design is prepared based on Good
Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), DENR and
zoning ordinances PNS recommendations.
1.5. Cage equipment installation design is prepared in line with
PNS recommendation and actual farm conditions.
1.6. Cage equipment are set-up in line with housing equipment
installation design.
1.7. Rice straws are placed as bedding materials based on PNS
procedures.
2. Feed small ruminants 2.1. Suitable feed materials are selected based on availability in the
locality, nutrient requirements and PNS standards.
2.2. Feed materials are prepared following PNS procedures.
2.3. Maintenance of forage area are administered in accordance
with PNS procedures.
2.4. Animals are fed based on feeding management program of
PNS.
2.5. Feeding is monitored following PNS procedures.
3. Manage breeding of small 3.1. Signs of heat are monitored among sexually mature does
ruminants and ewes
3.2. Breeding systems are identified based on PNS guidelines.
3.3. Animal pregnancy is monitored and tended based on enterprise
procedures.
3.4. Unproductive buck/ram and doe/ewe are culled based on
enterprise procedures.
4.6 Forage grasses, supplements and adequate water supply are
provided according to PNS recommendations.
5. Grow and harvest small 5.1 Growth rate is monitored based on enterprise procedures.
ruminants 5.2 Health care program are implemented based on PNS and
GAHP requirements.
5.3 Sanitation and cleanliness program are implemented based
on GAHP requirements and PNS.
5.4 Organic wastes for fertilizer production are collected
according to PNS.
5.5 Suitable small ruminants for harvest are selected based on PNS
guidelines and market demand.
5.6 Production record is accomplished according to enterprise
procedure
LO1 Select healthy breeders and suitable cages

The goat or domestic goat (Capra hircus) is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically
kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (C. aegagrus) of Southwest
Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the animal family Bovidae and the
tribe Caprini, meaning it is closely related to the sheep. There are over 300 distinct breeds of
goat.[1] It is one of the oldest domesticated species of animal, according to archaeological
evidence that its earliest domestication occurred in Iran at 10,000 calibrated calendar years ago.
[2]

Goat-herding is an ancient tradition that is still

important in places such as Egypt.
Goats have been used for milk, meat, fur,
and skins across much of the world.[3] Milk from goats is
often turned into goat cheese.

Goats are amazing animals. They are tough and versatile and have more
uses than you could imagine. Goats can survive and thrive just about anywhere. A
goat is a hoofed mammals in genus “ capra”. Most goats are referred to as
domestics goats which are sub specie of the wild goats.
Goats are practically raised anywhere in the Philippines. It can be seen grown
in both rural and urban areas due to special delicacy of its meat, goats are one of
the favorite food for Filipinos. Many people believe that goats have medicinal
components of its meat because they eat mostly herbs and grasses in the farm.
Raising goat can be a good source for additional income and a hobby to unload
stress.
Goat meat and milk is still consumed today and goats milk is becoming ever
popular as a healthy alternatives to cows milk. Goats milk is easier to digest than
cows milk and many call this milk as ‘ universal milk “ as it can be used to bottle feed
most animals.
Goats are extremely curious and intelligent. They are easily house trained
and you can teach them pull carts and walk on leads. Goats are also known for
escaping their pens, If you have unsecured fencing, be warned your goats will be
inquisive and test it out and soon you will know where the gaps are. Goats are very
coordinated and can climb and hold their balance in the most awkward places. They
are also widely known for their ability to climb trees, although the tree generally has
to be at a slight angle.

Male goats, known as bucks or billies (top) are larger and heavier than females, and have larger
horns. Females (bottom) are called does or nannies. These are angora goats.
Breeding
Selection of the breeding Buck
There are several important things when selecting for breeding
• A healthy and good quality buck (he goat). The buck must be healthy, strong and
should have a well-developed body frame. It must be of productive breed. It
must have normal sexual organs and well developed testicles. The buck must
be selected from does that produce a high volume of milk and are prolific.
• Control mating i.e. Limit the number of does per male (the recommended ratio
is 1male for 35 does)
• The Buck must be free of any physical defects e.g. undershot jaws, overshot jaws
• It should have a strong masculine head and neck and noisy and should seek out
females on heat and mate them. If it’s shy and timid it should be culled.
• Badly worn teeth indicate old age. Males with split, missing or worn teeth
should not be selected for breeding as they are physically unable to browse or
graze properly.
• Legs should be checked for deformities and hooves trimmed.

Selecting a Replacement Buck

• A healthy a well-developed male for mating should be identified by the second
month of birth. It should be used for breeding when it is 11 months old.
Depending on the dairy breed the buck should weigh 10-15 kg at six months
and about 20-25 kg at 11-12 months of age.
• At the beginning the use of young buck should be limited to 10-15 does per
male, but at the end of the second year the number of does can be increased and
maintained at 35-40 does per buck. One active buck can deal with 20-25
females per season
• Bucks should be properly utilized to control their temperament. Underutilized
bucks tend to be vicious and very destructive. At least 3 services per week will
keep the buck busy.
• Breeding of male and female polled goats may result in hermaphrodite kid(s).
 • Replace bucks after 18-24 months of active service to prevent inbreeding.

Selection of the breeding doe

• The productivity of a flock depends on the good quality of the mother.
Select does with high milk production and high fertility rate.
• The doe must be well built and healthy. A female should not be mated unless it’s
physically fit. Thin females will not come into heat, will be become pregnant
and abort, and reabsorb the fetus at early stage. Those which are mated and
carry their kid will be unable to rear it satisfactorily.
• Legs should be checked for deformities and hooves trimmed. Good strong legs
are essential for breeding doe. Weak bent hind legs are highly heritable factor
and females with this should not be selected for breeding.
• It should produce kids every 8-10 months
• It should produce twins frequently
• It should produce enough milk to rear the twins and for the household
consumption
• The udder should be soft to touch with two functional teats. Any hardiness
indicates the female has had a problem e.g. mastitis. Long pendulous udder is
highly heritable and females with this should not be used for breeding. Big
udder is liable to tearing by thorns and kids have difficult in suckling them. It
also predisposes the doe to mastitis.
• Badly worn teeth indicate old age. Females with split, missing or worn teeth
should not be selected for breeding as they are physically unable to browse or
graze properly.
• Any female with physical deformities (e.g. bad feet, hard udders, blind eyes )
should not be selected for breeding
NOTE: Farmers should seek breeding animals from registered breeding
farms.
Things to do if the breeding objectives are not met

Evaluate the performance and physical characteristics of breeders and the

management practices (breeding, feeding and health of breeders)

Things to do if breeder animals are inadequate

Selection of replacement stocks either within the general herd or buy from reputable
sources through judging based from characteristics of a good breeder.

Precautions when handling breeder bucks

• Apply TLC
• Apply the correct ratio and proportion of male and female

Breeding systems
There are several breeding systems that can be used in breeding of dairy
goats depending on the environment and purpose.

Heritability factors (Inheritable traits)

Many of the qualities in goats are highly heritable and knowledge of those which can
be passed on from parents to the progeny is useful to the breeder who wishes to
improve his stock

Highly heritability factor Low heritability Factors

Live weight at 6 months Birth weight
Age at first kidding Litter size
Body weight Kidding interval
Milk yield Milk flavor
Inbreeding
This is mating of closely related individuals without the introduction of new
animals from outside. If the process continues animals with undesirable
characteristics are likely to appear e.g. physical deformities, sterility and reduced
body sizes.

Line breeding
This is a mild form of inbreeding designed to concentrate the genes of a specific
ancestor

Crossbreeding
This is system where two different parent breeds are mated. The first generation
crosses are intermediate to the parent breeds. The offspring are superior to the
parental breed in some cases (hybrid vigour). The offspring’s displays increase in
size better live-weight gains fertility and viability
Backcrossing
This involves crossbred offspring’s being bred to one of the parents
Upgrading
Foundation refers to an F1 (first generation) at 50%, Intermediate (second
generation) is at 75%, an appendix (third generation) is at 87.5% and pedigree
(Fourth generation) is at 92.5%. The percentage represent the proportion of the
exotic blood in the resultant cross (breed)

Prevention of Inbreeding
Practice recordkeeping strictly including proper identification of animals.

Signs of a doe on heat

For a doe to come on heat it should be nutritively fed under proper alongside
appropriate supplementary feeding of concentrates and mineral licks.

A doe on heat will show the following signs

 • The vulva appears swollen and reddened
• loosing of appetite and restlessness
• Frequent urination
• Bleating and nervousness
• Wagging of the tail
• Slight mucus discharge from the vulva

The presence of a buck has been shown to induce heat in a doe that could have
been problematic in detection of heat.
Heat can also be induced by rubbing a piece of cloth around the base of the bucks
horn and then taking the clothe to the doe.

Mating
For successful fertilization to occur the doe has to feed well and kept in good
shed. She must be in good health. To become pregnant the doe and the buck must
mate. A doe noticed to be on heat should be brought to the buck and remain with it
for a period of not less than 36 hrs for effective mating to take place. If mating is
successful, heat signs will not appear and pregnancy will be assumed to have
occurred. The gestation period lasts for 5 months. If mating has not been successful
heat signs will occur and a second mating service will be necessary. Repeated signs
of heat even when the doe has been mated could be due to a problem with either
the buck or the doe and therefore the doe and the buck should be examined by a
vet.

Improving breeding efficiency

Proper care and management of breeders (selection of breeders, providing

appropriate nutrients for breeders, providing correct housing requirements and
implementation of effective herd health program).
Alternative breeding system

If the breeder animals are limited, the alternative breeding system a farmer could
adopt is the use of artificial in
Lesson 2
Philippine National Standards (PNS) Salient Features on Raising
Organic Small Ruminants

Conversion Period
• Goats should be organically reared at least 180 days before slaughter.
• Milk from lactating goat will only be considered as organic after 90 days of
organic rearing.

Animal Husbandry Management

• Management of the environment of the animals shall take into account the
behavioral needs of the animals and provide for sufficient free movement,
sufficient fresh air and natural daylight, protection against unfavorable
weather conditions, free access to fresh water and feeds.

Breeds and breeding

• Breeding goals are such that animal diversity should be maintained.
Indigenous or native breeds should be preserved and promoted.
• The use of artificial insemination techniques is allowed. But shall not use
segregated, separated or modified sperm.
• Breeding techniques that embryo transfer, genetic engineering, treatments
with reproductive hormones and semen sexing are not allowed.
• The use of genetically engineered species or breeds is not allowed.

Mutilations and animal identification

• Mutilations are prohibited but if it can improve welfare, health, or hygiene
of animals or for safety reasons, castration and dehorning could be carried
out by qualified personnel who shall see to it that suffering of animals is
reduced to a minimum.
 • Keeping the animals tethered is prohibited.

Animal Nutrition
• The diet shall be offered to the animals in a form allowing them to execute their
natural feeding behavior.
• Supplementation of vitamins and minerals is allowed for as long as these are
obtained from natural sources.
• Giving due consideration to the low availability of organic feed, the following
proportion of feed ration could be used:
Year 1 50% non-organic feed, 50% organic feed
Year 2 30% non-organic feed, 70% organic feed
Year 3 10% non-organic feed, 90% organic feed
Year 4 onwards 100% organic feed

Animal Health
• Health and well-being of animals must be ensured through preventative animal
husbandry practices.
• The well-being of the animals is superior in the choice of treatment.
• Natural remedies and complementary medical methods have first priority.
• Use of antibiotics for prophylactic purposes is not allowed however vaccinations
could be carried out with direct supervision of duly licensed veterinarian with the
condition of it is required legally or when an endemic disease is known in a
region.
• The use of steroids, other synthetic growth promoters or enhancers, hormones,
and substances of synthetic in origin is prohibited. Transport and slaughter
• The organic integrity of animals must be maintained throughout the entire
process of transport and slaughter.
Breeds
Local Breeds the Small East African Goat
 These goats occur throughout East Africa from desert to urban and known in
tribal or local names. Their color ranges from pure white to pure black with
various intermixes of roan and speckled brown. The tassels (toggles) occur in
up to 30% of the population. Adult males can weigh 30- 40kg and female’s 25-
30kg.They grow up to a height of 64cm at the shoulders. Both sexes have horns
that sweep directly backwards and are often curved upwards at the tip. The
horns vary from 2.5 cm to 20cm. The ears are of medium length (approximately
12cm), are slightly pendent and rarely pricked. 40% of the males under 14
months have beards. The coat is short and fine in both males and females but
has longer hair on the hind quarters. The males often have a pronounced mane
running the full length of the buck. They are mainly kept for meat as their milk
is rarely enough for one kid. They are a useful animal to use as a base in an
upgrading programme.

The Small East African Goat (Male)

Galla
• The Galla goat is an indigenous to Northern Kenya. It is also known as the
Boran or Somali goat. It’s the milk queen of the Kenyan arid and semi-arid
areas. The female is about 60cm wide at the shoulders and weighs 4555kgs.
 The male weighs up to 70kgs. They are white haired with a black skin, on
the nose (muzzle) feet and underneath the tail.

Galla goat (female)

• Another subtype exists that has colour around the neck and lower legs and
black stripe down the spine. The females are long-lived and will continue to
breed and rear healthy kids up to 10 years of age. They carry better milk
genes and give greater opportunity for genetic selection for this trait. The
back is fairly long and slightly dipped. They are docile animals easy to handle
but do not like cold wet climate, thriving best in low altitude preferably in
acacia bush country. They have a higher compensatory growth rate after
long dry season. The Galla produces about half litre of milk per day.
Saanen

 This is the milk queen in the goat world. It originated from Switzerland. It’s all
white or creamy coloured with pink skin pigmentation. The face is straight,
the ears are upright and alert (pricked) the hair is short and fine and the
body is long. As a rule Saanen does not carry tassels. Under good
management it produces 3-5 litres of milk per day depending on
management. They are prolific and have high twinning rate. Sometimes the
 kids are born with both male and female organs (hermaphrodite). This has
been observed on polled goats. Mature male weighs 70-100 kg and mature
female weighs 50-70 kg. The female measures 74 -80 cm in height while the
mature buck measures 81-92cm. Udders are usually shapely and well
attached.

Saanen Goats (Notice the pink pigmentation)

Toggenburg
 There are two breeds of Toggenburg one originating from Switzerland and the
other one from Britain. The British breed is bigger than the Swiss breed with
the female of the British type weighing up to 70kg and bucks up to 100 kg. With
Swiss type, the female weights are in the range of 50kgs with bucks up to 70 kg.
They are brown or greyish brown in colour with distinctive white stripes on the
face and legs. They may be horned or naturally polled. Horns in male are long
and curving back. They may have toggles (tassels) or not. They are very gentle
and quiet in temperament. They are easily handled and can be trained. They
have a long body and seem bony. They are bred for milk with average milk yield
of 1-3lts per day depending on management. The breed is suited for the higher
 cooler regions where heat stress is not a problem and good quality fodder is
freely available.

Toggenburg goat (female)

Alpine

 The breed originated in French Alps. They are medium to large in size and are
hardy and adaptable animals thriving in many climates. They have a varied
coat colour with shades of grey, brown, black, redbuff and combinations.
They have a pronounced mane in both male and female. They may or may
not have horns. The goat is bred for milk with average milk yield ranging
from 2.5-4lts subject to levels of management. The Female weighs from 50-
60kgs while bucks weigh 65-80kg. The female ranges in height from 70-
76.cm and the male 80-90cm when mature.

Crosses
 There are many crosses depending on the breeds used. The exotic breeds
have been crossed with the local breeds to get a better adapted and higher
yielding animal than the local goats. This is the best starting point for those
with the local goats wishing to keep dairy goats. The performance of the
crosses has varying degree of success depending on environment and
management. There are also crosses between the exotic breeds for instance
Saanen and Alpine.
GOATS ANATOMY
HOUSING

Goat housing should be a draught free shelter which will protect them from
the elements of unfavorable weather. It should have plenty of head room for the goat
to be able to stand upright on its hind legs with its neck stretched out.
 The goat shelter must also have enough height for you to work on. If you keep
more than one goat, each goat should have at at least 4 square meter of floor space.
Pen and door heights vary from breed to breed but 1.3 meters is recommended. Dwarf
goats obviously do not require so much height.
Goats do like to see one another, even if they are penned separately, so it is a
good idea to accommodate for this requirements by using gates and partition that
the goat can see through. A secure, well fenced exercise yard is required which should
be 3 – 4 times the size of the pen / shelter.

Breeding
Selection of the breeding Buck
There are several important things when selecting for breeding
• A healthy and good quality buck (he goat). The buck must be healthy, strong
and should have a well-developed body frame. It must be of productive breed. It
must have normal sexual organs and well developed testicles. The buck must
be selected from does that produce a high volume of milk and are prolific.
• Control mating i.e. Limit the number of does per male (the recommended ratio
is 1male for 35 does)
• The Buck must be free of any physical defects e.g. undershot jaws, overshot
jaws
• It should have a strong masculine head and neck and noisy and should seek out
females on heat and mate them. If it’s shy and timid it should be culled.
• Badly worn teeth indicate old age. Males with split, missing or worn teeth
should not be selected for breeding as they are physically unable to browse or
graze properly.
• Legs should be checked for deformities and hooves trimmed.
Selecting a Replacement Buck
• A healthy a well-developed male for mating should be identified by the second
month of birth. It should be used for breeding when it is 11 months old.
Depending on the dairy breed the buck should weigh 10-15 kg at six months
and about 20-25 kg at 11-12 months of age.
• At the beginning the use of young buck should be limited to 10-15 does per
male, but at the end of the second year the number of does can be increased
and maintained at 35-40 does per buck. One active buck can deal with 20-25
females per season
• Bucks should be properly utilized to control their temperament. Underutilized
bucks tend to be vicious and very destructive. At least 3 services per week will
keep the buck busy.
• Breeding of male and female polled goats may result in hermaphrodite kid(s).
• Replace bucks after 18-24 months of active service to prevent inbreeding.

Selection of the breeding doe

• The productivity of a flock depends on the good quality of the mother.
Select does with high milk production and high fertility rate.
• The doe must be well built and healthy. A female should not be mated unless
it’s physically fit. Thin females will not come into heat, will be become pregnant
and abort, and reabsorb the fetus at early stage. Those which are mated and
carry their kid will be unable to rear it satisfactorily.
• Legs should be checked for deformities and hooves trimmed. Good strong legs
are essential for breeding doe. Weak bent hind legs are highly heritable factor
and females with this should not be selected for breeding.
• It should produce kids every 8-10 months
• It should produce twins frequently
• It should produce enough milk to rear the twins and for the household
consumption
 • The udder should be soft to touch with two functional teats. Any hardiness
indicates the female has had a problem e.g. mastitis. Long pendulous udder is
highly heritable and females with this should not be used for breeding. Big
udder is liable to tearing by thorns and kids have difficult in suckling them. It
also predisposes the doe to mastitis.
• Badly worn teeth indicate old age. Females with split, missing or worn teeth
should not be selected for breeding as they are physically unable to browse or
graze properly.
• Any female with physical deformities (e.g. bad feet, hard udders, blind eyes )
should not be selected for breeding
NOTE: Farmers should seek breeding animals from registered breeding
farms.

Things to do if the breeding objectives are not met

Evaluate the performance and physical characteristics of breeders and the

management practices (breeding, feeding and health of breeders)

Things to do if breeder animals are inadequate

Selection of replacement stocks either within the general herd or buy from
reputable sources through judging based from characteristics of a good breeder.

Precautions when handling breeder bucks

• Apply TLC
• Apply the correct ratio and proportion of male and female
Breeding systems
There are several breeding systems that can be used in breeding of dairy
goats depending on the environment and purpose.

Heritability factors (Inheritable traits)

Many of the qualities in goats are highly heritable and knowledge of those which
can be passed on from parents to the progeny is useful to the breeder who wishes
to improve his stock

Highly heritability factor Low heritability Factors

Live weight at 6 months Birth weight
Age at first kidding Litter size
Body weight Kidding interval
Milk yield Milk flavor
Inbreeding
This is mating of closely related individuals without the introduction of new
animals from outside. If the process continues animals with undesirable
characteristics are likely to appear e.g. physical deformities, sterility and reduced
body sizes.

Line breeding
This is a mild form of inbreeding designed to concentrate the genes of a specific
ancestor

Crossbreeding
This is system where two different parent breeds are mated. The first generation
crosses are intermediate to the parent breeds. The offspring are superior to the
parental breed in some cases (hybrid vigour). The offspring’s displays increase in
size better live-weight gains fertility and viability
Backcrossing
This involves crossbred offspring’s being bred to one of the parents
Upgrading
Foundation refers to an F1 (first generation) at 50%, Intermediate (second
generation) is at 75%, an appendix (third generation) is at 87.5% and pedigree
(Fourth generation) is at 92.5%. The percentage represent the proportion of the
exotic blood in the resultant cross (breed)

Prevention of Inbreeding
Practice recordkeeping strictly including proper identification of animals.

Signs of a doe on heat

For a doe to come on heat it should be nutritively fed under proper alongside
appropriate supplementary feeding of concentrates and mineral licks.

A doe on heat will show the following signs

• The vulva appears swollen and reddened
• loosing of appetite and restlessness
• Frequent urination
• Bleating and nervousness
• Wagging of the tail
• Slight mucus discharge from the vulva

The presence of a buck has been shown to induce heat in a doe that could have
been problematic in detection of heat.
Heat can also be induced by rubbing a piece of cloth around the base of the bucks
horn and then taking the clothe to the doe.
Mating
For successful fertilization to occur the doe has to feed well and kept in good
shed. She must be in good health. To become pregnant the doe and the buck must
mate. A doe noticed to be on heat should be brought to the buck and remain with it
for a period of not less than 36 hrs for effective mating to take place. If mating is
successful, heat signs will not appear and pregnancy will be assumed to have
occurred. The gestation period lasts for 5 months. If mating has not been
successful heat signs will occur and a second mating service will be necessary.
Repeated signs of heat even when the doe has been mated could be due to a
problem with either the buck or the doe and therefore the doe and the buck should
be examined by a vet.

Improving breeding efficiency

Proper care and management of breeders (selection of breeders, providing

appropriate nutrients for breeders, providing correct housing requirements and
implementation of effective herd health program).

Alternative breeding system

If the breeder animals are limited, the alternative breeding system a farmer could
adopt is the use of artificial insemination upgrading to produce offspring with
superior quality and traits.
Feeding
Feeds
Goats require five major classes of feeds,
• Energy
• Protein
• Vitamins
 • Water
• Mineral salts
Goats consume a wide variety of grasses, weeds and small branches of bushes
and trees. They can consume leaves, peelings and roots of vegetables, husks of
corn, citrus and banana peeling and other waste plant residues. Goats are ruminant
and therefore chew cud and are able to utilize roughage with high fiber content.
They produce protein, vitamin B and K in the rumen.
Goats are fastidious feeders as a result they are the last animals to die from
drought

Sources of Protein
Leucaena, Calliandra, Rensonii, Flamengia, Mulberry, Grevellia, Gliricidia,
Sesbania, Tithonia, Lantana camara, Siratro, Sweet potato vine, Clitoria
tarnatae,
Lucerne, Desmodium,
Most of these herbaceous legumes have anti-nutritional factors (eg tannins and
cyanides). It’s recommended that these should not exceed 25% of the total feed
requirement per day. They should be wilted before feeding.

Agro industrial by products.

Groundnut cake, cotton seed cake, Sunflower cake.
Energy feeds
Rhodes grass, Napier grass, Panicum spp, Cenchrus spp, Sorghum, Bana
grass. Banana stems and leaves should be fed as a last resort to feed demand.

Crop residues;
Maize, millet, Rice, Wheat, Barley, oats Sorghum others include bean
haulms, Sugar cane tops, Sunflower heads.
Agro industrial by-products.
Maize germ, maize bran.

Scarce Feed Resources

When the feed resources are scarce, silage could be made or processed by treating
rice straw with concoctions and use of agricultural by-products.

Care of Pregnant Doe (She-goat)

• Protein supplements are important during the dry period (non lactating
period). This is because the kids are growing faster at this time.
• If you have been feeding legumes which are high in calcium its best to
replace these with high energy feeds (e.g. hay) at least three weeks before
kidding to prevent milk fever. This forces the doe to mobilize its own body
stores and prepare for milking.
• Deworm the doe two weeks prior to kidding
A goat requires 3% (of its body weight in dry matter approximately 1.5 kg)
per day or 5 kg of fresh materials should be availed to the doe per day. The
complete meal should comprise of both the protein and energy feed.
• Provide the does with salt lick and at least either half a kilo of dairy meal per
day or a mixture of pollard and bran
• Provide adequate clean water all the time.
Care of lactating doe
At the end of the 5th month, check for the following signs of approaching birth;
• Reduced feed intake
• Rapid breathing
 • Doe will constantly look back unto her sides as if expecting to see young
ones.
• Enlarged udder that may or may not discharging colostrums.
• Swollen vulva
• And thick mucus discharge from the vulva.
• The hair around the tail and the rear should be clipped and fresh beddings
(straw or grass) provided.
• The kid is born after short labour but incase of difficult kidding expert (Vet
doctor) should be consulted.

Well attached udder of lactating Saanen doe

Feeding lactating doe
• Amount of concentrates fed should be in proportion to the amount of milk
being produced.
• A small quantity of concentrates should be fed to the dry doe in order to
build up the body reserves and help in the development of her unborn kid.
The following table provides a guide to feeding concentrates to a lactating doe
Feeding of concentrate (dairy meal)

The dairy meal fed should be divided into 2 portions daily.

Care of the kids.

• To prevent naval infection the stump of the umbilical cord should be
cleaned and disinfected with iodine, strong salt solution or traditionalherbal
remedy.
• The new born kid should be placed in a warm area to protect it from strong
winds (draft) and cold that may expose it to pneumonia.
• Kids are allowed suckle the colostrums in the first three days after birth, the
colostrums is very important to the health and growth of the kid. The
colostrums contain antibodies that protect the new kid against diseases
until they are able to protect themselves.
 Document No.

Organic Agriculture Date Developed: Issued by: Page 29 of 33

August 15,2022

Developed by:
Raising Organic Small
Production NC II

• These are mainly the ticks, biting flies, fleas, mites.

Endo-parasites (internal)
• These are mainly worms e.g. round worms, tapeworms, lung worms, flukes.

Control
 Regular deworming of goats and kids after every 3 months.
Repeat deworming to any animal showing worm infestation.

Hoof trimming
• This is a management practice to control abnormal growth of hooves that
may lead to lameness in goats.
• The overgrown hooves can be trimmed using hoof knife .

• The stock should have their feet regularly checked for damage due to
overgrown hooves.
 Castration
• Castrate the young males not intended for breeding at six months

De-budding
 This done at 3 months of age using hot bars (de-budding irons)
Its done to both male and female kids
Treating Bloat

Let the animal walk. Administer orally mineral oil, massage the rumen and do not let
the animal lie down.

Transporting Animals

A permit from the Municipal Veterinarian or Agricultural Officer must be secured in

transporting animals from municipality to another.

Organic Agriculture Document No.

Production NC II Date Developed: Issued by:
Raising Organic Small Page 35 of
August 15,2022
Ruminants
Developed by: 36
MAYNARD M. BALUYUT
Revision # 00
Organic Agriculture Document No.
Production NC II Date Developed: Issued by:
Raising Organic Small August 15,2022
Page 33 of
Ruminants
Developed by: Revision # 00 33
MAYNARD M. BALUYUT