Credits: Biovision-Infonet
Introduction
(c) Wikipedia
Goats along with sheep, were among the earliest domesticated animals. Goat remains have been found at early archeological sites in Western Asia which suggests that the domestication of goats was originally between 6000 and 7000 BC.
The major contributor of modern goats is the Bezoar goat which is distributed from the mountains of Asia Minor across the Middle East to Sind. Unlike sheep, goats easily revert to feral or wild conditions given a chance and populations of feral goats occur in many parts of the world. The domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of goat, with eight of these breeds being reared in Kenya. Goats differ from sheep in that the goat’s tail is shorter, has long hollow horns directed upwards, backward and outward, while those of the sheep are spirally twisted. The male goats (‘bucks’) have beards, unlike sheep. Male goats also have a characteristic strong odour that is produced, particularly during the rutting season. The female goat (“doe”), which has smaller horns than the male, is often called a “nanny” goat. The young are called “kids”. The male goat is called colloquially, “billy” goat. The goat’s tail is short, bare underneath and usually carried upright. Major scent glands are located around the horn base. They function in stimulating oestrus in female goats improving conception.
The goat are still used for meat and milk production. Many parts of the animal are valuable for a variety of purposes such as the hide for leather and the pelts for rugs and robes. All does that have given birth to kids should give milk but some breeds give more than others and selection processes have resulted in a number of breeds that are kept largely for milk production. In good management and feeding up to 1200 liters of milk can be achieved (average 3.5 l per lactation day). Goats can be very persistent in lactating and therefore can have extended lactations up to two years without lambing in between and continue with a relatively high yield..
Goat milk compares favourably in nutritive value with cow’s milk. It contains smaller fat globules and as a consequence is easierto digest and does not require homogenisation. It is used extensively in making cheeses. Goat milk casein and goat milk fat are more easily digested than that from cow milk. Goat milk is valued for the elderly, sick, babies, children with allergies, patients with ulcers and even preferred for raising orphan foals and puppies. In ASAL areas milk from goats and sheep still play a major role especially in child nutrition. Goat milk is higher in Vit A, Niacin, Choline and inositol than cow milk but is lower in Vit B6, B12, C and carotenoids. In about 5% of the population, cows milk causes stomach or intestinal disturbance, or occasionally facial swellings or other symptoms. This seems not to happen when such people drink goats milk
Goats which produce fibre, e.g., Angora, are generally not as suitable for meat production. This is because they are small framed and produce smaller litters than other goats. Traditionally, goats and sheep have played a major role in Kenya/East Africa through the ages. These animals have been the main source of meat and skins, contributing much to the social and economic life of people. Some communities kept milking goats, but these have mostly gone out of production, especially with the arrival of the dairy cow in the 20th century.
Milk goats are definitely the way forward for the small-holder farmer.
They not only take up less space in respect of both housing and grazing, especially if they are to be kept on zero grazing, but they eat less than a cow and will produce as much if not more milk than the average rural cow. Goats are browsers: that means that they eat leaves and branches from trees and bushes above the ground rather than eat grass on the ground.
Understand goats as the animals they are
Goats are social animals, which like to be part of a herd. They are hunted by predators, and therefore they feel safe in a herd. They have a strong hierarchy, and every goat herd has a herd queen. They have a lot of butting behavior and that is one reason for keeping horned and dehorned goats strictly apart. The kids of this goat queen will be very high ranking in the herd. The positions in the herd – especially the queen – will often be very long lasting. Goats are curious, and ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’ for goats: they are lively and explorative. Fences should always be well maintained – they will find the slightest weakness. Goats will often be biting and chewing on everything, but far from always. Goats are natural browsers and will eat leaves, shrubs, wines and twigs. They have a broad variety of things to eat, and they have a good sense of taste – they are told to be able to distinguish between sour, salt, sweet and bitter. They are well adapted to limited water intake. They are told to eat more than any other ruminant but this is not true – they spend much time on it because they move over quite some distances to get to eat what they want.
One signal of goat wellbeing is that they keep their tail upright. If it is ‘hanging’, it is because the goat is ill or depressed for some reason.
Goats have a strong odour, and if not properly controlled, It can be an argument for not having male goats. Control of male goat odor (smell) is achieved by good hygiene practices and correct housing with air, good bedding, space and high hygiene levels. If they have sufficient choice, they will always avoid eating plants contaminated with urine or feces from their own species. The male goat becomes often aggressive and dominant during the breeding season.