FEEDING MANAGEMENT IN GOATS
Aparna Hebbar H1 and Siddalingswamy Hiremeth2
(1Assistant Professor and Head (I/c), Dept of VPB, Veterinary College Athani, KVAFSU, Bidar, Karnataka 2Associate Professor and Head (I/c), Dept. LPM, Veterinary College Gadag, KVAFSU, Bidar, Karnataka) 1appehebbar@gmail.com, 2 sidduvet123@gmail.com
Goat farming is turning towards entrepreneurship version; many farmers switched to semi-intensive and intensive types of rearing from open grazing. So, in this changing scenario, farmers need advice on proper nutrition for optimum growth, good milk yield and proper health. There are three types of rearing methods.
- Extensive method: In this method animals are allowed in grassland for grazing. It is better to divide the grazing land temporarily by fencing into four five parts. Animals are allowed to graze in one part, later they will be shifted to another part. By the time animals finish all the parts by grazing; first part will be ready with new grasses (Rotational grazing method). First kids to be allowed to browse, later does will be allowed to eat leftovers. Around 250-300 goats can be reared by this type of free-range grazing method.
Advantages:
Requires very low infrastructure
Management is easy
Disadvantages:
Greater chances of parasitic infestation
Animal observation is difficult
Poor plane of nutrition
Semi intensive method: In this method animals are allowed to graze for 8-10 hrs., then they will be tied in the shed for the night. Concentrates are fed in the shed. 250-300 animals can be reared by this method. In semi-intensive system of rearing, additional supplementary feeding of concentrates and harvested grass are essential. About two-thirds of the energy requirements of adult goats should be met through roughage feeding. In that, half of the roughages could be of the legumes and the rest green grass. Instead of grass, tender tree leaves of jack, erythrina etc. can also be provided.
Advantages:
Requires medium level of infrastructure
Management is easy
Better nutrition level
Disadvantages:
Labor input is more than extensive method
Intensive method: In this method animals are confined to shed and feed is offered in the shed itself. This type of zero grazing system is attracting attention in sub urban areas in to meet the growing demand of meat. By installing fully automated feeding and watering systems, labor cost can be reduced. In this method, the amount of roughage and concentrate to be given as per body weight, age, growth and physiological conditions such as pregnancy or lactation.
Advantages:
Animal observation is easy
Optimum production is anticipated
Requires less space
Dung collection is easy and it can be used as good quality fertilizer.
Disadvantages
The initial investment is more
Nutrition
Feed is essential for the maintenance, production of the milk, meat and fiber. Grouping of the goats as per their nutritional requirement viz., weanlings, pregnant does, breeding bucks and lactating does will help in providing the proper nutrition. For example, pregnant doe should be fed with more quantity of good quality forage than non-pregnant doe. Similarly, doe having twins need to give more concentrate as their energy spent in feeding the kids.
The amount of feed a goat needs depends on:
- Its weight: The heavier it is the more feed it needs;
- Type and level of production: Meat, milk and reproduction require additional nutrients. The more milk is produced, the quicker the growth and the more advanced in pregnancy, the more feed the animal needs;
- The level of activity: Grazing animals spend more energy and need extra feed compared to housed animals
Components
Water
Water is very important. The goats are probably among the domestic animals that can live longest without water (camels can do better). They will die if there is no water for more than three days. For lactating or pregnant does, a daily supply of sufficient clean drinking water is essential. A non-producing goat will drink about 5-6 liters water or 10 % of its body weight per day. Of course, it also depends on the climate and water content of the feeds. Goats need more water in arid climates and when they are fed hays and straws. For every liter of milk produced, the doe needs another additional 4 – 5 liters of water. When it is hot, goats need more water to cool their body. They will eat less when they are not given enough water and production gets affected. Therefore, provide drinking water once a day at a fixed time so they can get accustomed to the routine. So, try to provide them with as much of and as cool and clean water as possible.
Energy: Goats need energy to maintain their body, to move, to grow and to produce milk and kids. Carbohydrates like sugar, starch and fiber are the main energy sources. Cereals such as maize, wheat, barley and oat, molasses and agricultural byproducts are the energy sources in the feed.
Protein: The nitrogen content of the protein is necessary for rumen bacterial protein synthesis. Amino acids are required for various metabolic activities. Ground nut cake, cotton seed, soyabean, mustard cake, linseed and sesame are the sources of proteins
Vitamins: If goats have the possibility to consume different types of feeds during grazing or in the stable, there is no need to pay attention of vitamins. Vitamin B –complexes and vitamin K are synthesized by the rumen microbes. Vitamin A can be synthesized by the carotenes present in the fodder. Vitamin D deficiency can occur in the animals that have fully reared in the shade. Vitamin C can be synthesized by the animal in the tissues. Vitamin E and selenium are easily convertible to each other so supplementing either of one will serve the purpose.
Minerals: Goats need minerals and common salt in small amounts. When they are fed a variety of feeds, they often get all the minerals they need. However, during grazing rangeland or feeding on limited amounts of concentrates, mineral deficiencies can occur. Minerals such as salt, calcium and phosphorus are essential for the proper functioning of the life processes. Dicalcium phosphate is required for the animals. The ratio of Calcium and phosphate should be 2:1. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorous are required for the growth of the animals. Calcium is present in grasses and legumes. Poor forages are deficient in phosphorous. Rest trace minerals like selenium, cobalt is necessary for the metabolic processes. Mineral deficiency will lead to loss of appetite, decreased fertility, a dull coat and poor growth. The animal licks at all kinds of objects and even chews them, to satisfy its mineral needs. Goat milk is rich in minerals so lactating does require relatively high amounts of minerals per day, so provide them with salt and a mineral mix.
Common salt:
Lumps of salts should be hung in some places or they may be kept in manger. The salt licks help to secrete good amount of sodium and chloride ions in the milk. Salt can be added to 2 percent of the daily grain ration.
Antibiotics:
Feeding of aureomycin or terramycin increase the growth rate of the young kids, reduces the incidence of scours and infectious diseases.
PRACTICAL FEEDING OF DIFFERENT CLASSES OF GOATS
Colostrum feeding the kids:
Kids should be fed with colostrum within one hour of their birth. Colostrum is rich in vitamins A, immunoglobulins etc. Immunoglobulins are required for immunity development, so feeding colostrum helps to build up immunity till the development of proper immune system. Kids should be allowed to suck its dam for initial three to four days to get good amount of colostrum. Later they can be separated and milk can be given 4-5 times in a day. Kids are given milk one tenth of their body weight. They should be trained to eat green roughages by two weeks. At the end of the first month creep feed can be given. After three months they are weaned. In case of early weaning, they should be given protein rich creeper feed or additional supplement of fish meal or soya meal. Cow colostrum is also a good alternative choice for kids.
Creep feeding:
At the end of the first month, 50-100g of the creep feed can be given. Creep feeding helps speedy growth of the kids. It should contain 22% of protein. Antibiotics such as oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline can be added at 15 to 25mg/kg of feed.
Feeding from three months to one year:
They are allowed to graze for 8 hours. 100-150g of the concentrates (with protein of 16-18 per cent) should be given. Dry fodder can be offered at night time.
Table 1. Feeding schedule for a kid from birth to 90 days
| Age of kids | Dam’s milk or cow milk (ml) | Creep feed (grams) | Forage, green/gay (gm) |
| 1-3 days | Colostrum-300 ml, 3 feedings | – | – |
| 4-14 days | 350 ml, 3 feedings | – | – |
| 15-30 days | 350 ml, 3 feedings | A little | A little |
| 3-60 days | 400 ml, 2 feedings | 100-150 | Free choice |
| 61-90 days | 200 ml, 2 feedings | 200-250 | Free choice |
Feeding of breeding does:
Prior to 3-4 weeks of the mating or introducing buck into the flock, does require additional feeding called flushing. If good quality green fodder is available, it itself is sufficient. But if it is not available 300-400g of feed with CP 18% should be given. This helps for the proper ovulation, improvement in the fertility rate and implantation of the embryo. Non breeding bucks and dry does can be fed with forage with low protein content. Usually, concentrate mixture of 12 percent digestible crude protein content is used in the adult feed.
Feeding of pregnant does (earlier pregnancy)
Initial four months, important for the fetus development and growth. During this period, 5 kg of green fodder to be given. They are allowed for grazing 4-5 hours per day.
Feeding of pregnant does (Late pregnancy)
Does need much care during last month of the pregnancy. During that time, fetal growth increases by 60-80 percent until parturition. If the energy balance is not met properly, it may lead to pregnancy toxemia in does. Doe should be separated or observed daily for its health. They are allowed to graze for 4-5 hours. 7 kg of the green fodder along with 250-300g of concentrates is needed for the pregnant does.
Feeding does at Kidding time
As expected, date of kidding approaches or immediately after kidding, the grain allowance should be reduced. During this time, good quality dry roughage should be given sufficiently. Adlibitum clean, and fresh water to be offered. It is advisable to feed lightly on the day of parturition. Soon after kidding, warm water to be given. After kidding, the ration of the mother may be gradually increased. It must be managed such a way that she receives the full ration in divided doses six to seven times in a day. Inclusion of bulky and laxative feedstuffs in the ration is preferred near to parturition and after few days of it.
Feeding Lactating does
Depending on the availability, the following ration plans can be used
Per day, 6-8 hours of grazing + 10 kg good quality green fodder or
6-8 hours of grazing + 400g concentrate or
6-8 hours of grazing +800g leguminous hay
Feeding bucks and non-breeding does
Non pregnant does can be raised on green forages. Supplementation of 100-150g concentrate is essential if there is no good pasture land. Dry does and non-breeding bucks can be fed with low proteinaceous forage.
Feeding of breeding bucks:
According to general practice, bucks are allowed to graze with does. But in these conditions, buck will get the same ration as does. When buck to be fed separately, then it may be supplemented with 300-400g of concentrates daily. It should be observed at regular intervals for its health status. Care must be taken not to allow the buck to get too fat and plenty of exercise should be provided.
Feeding pattern
Goats are fastidious animals and they do not relish silage or old straw. They like fresh and clean green legumes. They are not willing to eat stale, fallen feed from the feeders. Therefore, feed to be given in 3-4 times in a day in divided doses. Green forages can be given twice or thrice in a day in stall feeding. Goats like green forages like berseem, lucerne, cowpea and Napier grass. Tree fodder like peepal, subabul, tamrind and glyceridia can be fed to the goats. Tree fodder can be used as much as 2/3rd part of the forages.
Feeding racks and water troughs can be used to prevent wastage of the feed. Fodder can be chopped into pieces and to be fed. By using chaff cutter or sickle fodder can be cut into the length of two to three inches. It will enhance feed intake as well as digestibility.
In general, Goat diet must include approximately 60-70% of green fodder, 20-30% of dry fodder and 5-10% of concentrate feed, providing it around 16-20% of Crude Protein (CP) and 65% of Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN). Additional concentrate/ supplementary feed must be provided to pregnant, lactating animals and breeding bucks. Concentrate/supplementary feed may be made using a combination of maize/green gram/soyabean/cereals (broken/mashed/ground) (30-40%), any oil cakes (20-30%), bran/husk (30-40%) and salt and mineral mixture (1-2%). Green fodder should include legumes (Berseem, Cowpea, Lucerne, Stylosanthes etc); non-legumes/cereals (Oat, Sorghum, Maize etc); grasses (guinea grass, hybrid napier, anjan grass, etc), and fodder trees (Subabul, glyricidia, Sesbania, etc.). Goats can be fed low grade roughage/residues after Physical and mechanical (soaking, chopping, grinding, pelleting, steaming and irradiation); Chemical (sodium hydroxide, urea/ammonia, etc.); and Biological (fungi) treatment methods.
Dry fodder enrichment
Goats suck the green leaves and eat soft stem of the fodder. Salt and molasses are added on the left overs to increase the palatability. 2 % urea can be sprayed on the dry fodder under the supervision of qualified veterinary doctor. Urea solution can be made by dissolving 1.5 to 2 kg urea in 30 to 40 liters of water. It should be applied uniformly over one quintal dry fodder. After application, it is to be filled into air tight bags or containers or bags. It is advisable to use after one month. Kids below 3 months of age should not be fed.
Silage preparation
Excess green fodder is available in the monsoon. It can be stored and preserved for the summer. Fodder maize and sorghum are suitable for making silage. At the time of harvesting plants should have around 70% moisture content. Cut those to small pieces of two inch. The silo pit or plastic bags are to be filled with this fodder. Make it air tight. Molasses can be poured over it if required. If it is sealed with plastic sheet, no air enters this and proper anaerobic fermentation takes place. Soil can be spread over to make it more compact. It should be maintained for one month. Later it can be used after opening. By anaerobic fermentation, golden yellow colour silage is ready. They may not show interest in eating it in the beginning later they will like it.
Compound feed preparation
Feed can be prepared by using local available material. It will reduce the feed cost. The choice of the grains, oil cake and other supplements depends on the availability and cost in that region. But this should not be compromised with the essential nutrient requirements. If one farmer prepares feed using cheaper grains, animal will not show optimum performance. The use of grains and oil cakes depends on the availability of that material, its nutritive value and cost effectiveness.
Generally, concentrate/supplementary feed may be prepared using a combination of maize/soybean/green gram/ cereals (broken/ground/mashed) (30-40%), any oilcake (20-30%), husk/bran (30-40%) and mineral mixture and salt (1-2%). One must take care that a minimum 250 grams of concentrate and 5 grams each of common salt and mineral mixture should be included in the diet of the goat.
Feed components (For 100 kg)
Broken grains – 30-40%
Rice bran- – 30-40%
Oil cakes – 20-30%
Crop residue – 7%
Mineral mixure- 2%
Salt – 1-2%
Creep Feed
Maize-40%
Groundnut cake -30%
Wheat bran-10%
Deoiled rice bran- 13%
Molasses-5%
Mineral mixure-2%
Salt-1%
Table 2. Major raw materials and their sources used in making supplementary/concentrate feed.
| Raw materials | Sources |
| Cereals and millets | Sorghum (jowar), maize, pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), rice, oats, wheat, etc. |
| Oilseed cake | Soybean meal, groundnut cake, cotton seed cake, sunflower cake, silkworm pupae meal, coconut cake |
| Agro-industrial by-products | Rice bran, wheat bran, rice polish, deoiled rice bran, chuni |
| Mineral and vitamin mixture | Calcite grit, calcium carbonate, ground limestone, oyster shell, steamed bone meal, monosodium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, defluorinated rock phosphate, soft rock phosphate |
General aspects of feeding goats:
Goats will eat certain varieties of species at definite stages of maturity and reject them at other times. They relish eating aromatic herbs in areas of sparse food supply, and hence can penetrate deep into the desert. This is uncommon in sheep. A adult goat will consume about 5 kg of green fodder per day. It is better to provide roughages and water ad libitum. Goats have greater capacity of feed (dry matter) intake per kg body weight in comparison with cattle and buffaloes. It has been found that dairy goats in the temperate (cold) regions consume dry matter to the tune of 5 – 6 % of their live body weight. But in tropical(hot) region this consumption is to the level of 4-5 % of the body weight of the goats. Meat type goats of the tropics eat less dry matter (2.5 -3 % of their body weight).
The dry matter requirement of adult, dry (non-producing) goats can be met by feeding forages. The goats are exceptionally efficient in digesting crude fiber (cellulose). It has been noticed that when goats are allowed to browse for about 8-9 hours a day, that itself will be sufficient for their maintenance and growth. But if they need to produce more milk and meat, additional leguminous fodders and concentrate feeds are to be provided as per their recommendation. When forage supply is limited, some concentrate mixture must be supplemented. Concentrate mixture that is used for feeding cattle can be given to goats. Pellet concentrates mixture is better than dry mash (because it reduces dust related respiratory problems). Depending up on the quality and quantity of available fodder, the concentrate allowance for goats of different categories can be reduced. During the last month of the gestation, additional allowance of concentrate to be fed to advanced pregnant goats. Goats cannot compete with pigs and poultry in efficiency of conversion of concentrates to protein food or with cattle milk production. Their highest capacity of cellulose utilization gives them a special ecological niche in tropical farming communities.
Kids should be given extra care if they are weaned early or death of the dam occurred. Crackled grains can be given till the kids attain six weeks of age. Leguminous fodder can be given. However, grains and supplementation of vitamin and protein mix can be the option if good legumes are unavailable.
Kids for replacement stock should be with their mother for free access of milk and not to be weaned early. After weaning, they should be fed with good quality forage till they mature.
Clean and fresh water to be supplied for all age groups as and when required (adlibitum).
Common feeds and fodders
Grasses: Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus, Para, guinea, Napier, etc.
Legume pastures: Stylosanthus hamata, S. scabra, siratro, butterfly pea, etc.
Legume fodders: Berseem, lucerne, cowpea, etc.
Dry feeds: Dry pods of babul, Prosopis juliflora, rain tree, Subabul; cereal straws, legume straws (groundnut haulms, gram straw), gram husk and gram waste.
Tree leaves: Babul, neem, papal, mango, prosopis, gliricidia, mulberry, Subabul, banyan, etc. These tree leaves are called as top feeds.
Feeding behavior of goats
Goats are sturdy animals demanding little attention to nutrition. They have got cleft upper lip that helps them to eat weeds, grass and thorny bushes. So grazing land and pasture is best suited for their growth. As they got the habit of nibbling, provide the feed, fodder and grasses at regular intervals in divided doses. The goats can relish wide variety of herbage (weeds, grass, shrubs, tree leaves, barks of trees etc.). This has resulted their widespread distribution across the world. Goats do not thrive well when maintained on a single type of feed as they like variety.
Goats will eat certain varieties of species at definite stages of maturity and reject them at other times. They relish eating aromatic herbs in areas of sparse food supply, and hence can penetrate deep into the desert. This is uncommon in sheep. Goats can graze standing on their hind limbs (bipedal stance) providing them competitive advantage over other farm animals. This unique and specialized behavioral pattern allows them to browse on leaves and branches that are at the top.
Goats are known for their habit of browsing rather than grazing or nibbling. Goats can eat drier and coarser grass that is usually rejected by sheep. Fibre digestion capacity is higher in goats than cattle and sheep. Goats are 7.9 % superior to buffaloes, 4.4 % superior to sheep and 8.6 % superior to cattle in crude fiber digestibility.
It is found that goats can distinguish salt, sweet, sour and bitter tastes. Goats have a higher threshold for bitter taste. This ability enables goats to choose from a wider range of plant species than cattle or sheep. Goats generally browse on bitter shrubs and refuse forage contaminated with urine or dung.
Time spent or required for browsing for goats depend up on the quantity and quality of feed available. It spends normally 8 hours in eating, which may extend up to 12 hours during the dry season.
Goat consumes less water in water scares condition than sheep and utilized blood urea more efficiently. Goats can tolerate heat stress and conserve water by reducing losses in urine and faeces.
Sheep are very sensitive to copper (Cu) toxicity, whereas goats can consume two to three times the Cu level compared to sheep without ill effects. Goats, on the other hand, are very sensitive to phosphorus (P) levels (do not exceed 0.40 % on the feed tag; 0.35 % is ideal). Sheep have a similar P requirement to goats but are less sensitive to higher levels.
Table 3. Some of the Important Facts about Sheep and Goat Related to Feeding Behavior
| Characteristics | Goats | Sheep |
| Activity | Can stand on its hind legs to access browse; can walk longer distances | Walk shorter distances |
| Feeding pattern | Browser; more selective | Grazer; less selective |
| Variety in feeds | Preference greater | Preference limited |
| Salivary secretion rate | Greater | Moderate |
| Recycling of urea in saliva | Greater | Less |
| Dry matter intake | ||
| For meat production | 3 per cent of body weight | 3 per cent of body weight |
| For milk production | 4-6 per cent of body weight | 3 per cent of body weight |
| Digestive efficiency | Higher with coarse roughage | Less efficient |
| Retention time | Longer | Shorter |
| Water intake per unit dry matter | Lower | Higher |
| Water economy | More efficient | Less efficient |
| Water turnover rate | Lower | Higher |
| Water loss in Feces | Less | Higher |
| Urine | More concentrated | Less concentrated |
| Fat metabolism | Increase during periods of water shortages | Less evident |
References
- Goat farming for improving livelihood security of farm women By Sahoo et al, 2019 Technical bulletin 33, Central institute for women in agriculture
- Expert system of sheep and goat feeing management
- TNAU agritech portal farm enterprises: Animal husbandry
- Misra, A.K., Ramana, D.B.V., Prasad, M.S. and Ramakrishna, Y.S. 2007. Feeding and Management of Small Ruminants (K.V.K. Bulletin – 2/2007) Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad. India. 40P.
- Samir Kumar Das, Z B Dubal and Narendra Pratap Singh (2014): Goat farming for the farmers of Goa Technical Bulletin No. 44, ICAR Research Complex For Goa, Old Goa – 403 402.
- Sarvajeet Yadav, Amit Singh and Yajuvendra Singh Eds. 2016. Advances in Sheep and Goat production and management–2016. Pp 1-198. Compendium of Training Programme (26-06-2016 to 30-06-2016). Published by: U.P. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan VishwaVidhyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura (U.P.) Publication Series No. 142.
