Winter Management Strategies of Goats in India
The cold weather is enough to stress out all species of man and beast. But for sheep and goats, and especially those that lamb and kid in the cold winter months, extra management steps need to be taken to eliminate the stress on the flocks and herds.
Although most sheep and goats will have thick coats of wool and hair, they still require some type of well-ventilated housing. Those with really thick wool or hair require less shelter, but still need something to block them from the wind. Any female that is getting ready to lamb or kid needs to be confined to a ventilated barn with dry bedding, and newborns need to be dried as soon as possible. Heat lamps can be used but should be monitored to reduce the risk of electrocution or fire. Ventilation is vital to provide fresh air to avoid respiratory issues.
Once the young lambs and goats are dried off, nursing and thriving, they can be turned out. Be sure they still have access to warm, dry shelter to get out of the cold, wind and any precipitation. Many producers will put a separate creep area in a portion of their barns to give their lambs their own dry area to retreat to and to introduce them to feed.
Water is the most vital nutrient of life. However, in the winter months, it becomes more challenging to provide it to your livestock. Be sure your sheep and goats have fresh, clean water at all times.
In the winter months, the energy requirements for these smaller ruminants increases to help keep them warm and to help with lactation. Late gestation and lactation are when the nutritional needs are at their peak.
Winter management strategies
Goats cannot tolerate moist and cold climatic conditions so we need to take more care and give emphasis on making their microenvironment more comfortable like housing, bedding , feeding so that they remain in good welfare conditions and maintain their production which ultimately help farmers in getting profits from goat farming. These are some management practices we need to follow during winter season to reduce winter stress.
- Goats do not require elaborate housing during the winter months. The most important issues regarding housing is to block the harsh, cold north wind and to keep the animals dry. A three sided structure with the opening facing the south provides protection from the cold wind and yet allow plenty of ventilation to keep moisture down in the barn or shed.
- For each goat there is need to provide at least 3-6 meters of space and atleast 4-5 hours of sunlight during day time
- Sand bags or gunny bags can be used to cover the goats specially the young ones to prevent them from hypothermia, pneumonia or other respiratory diseases prevalent during winter season.
- Make sure there is plenty of clean, dry bedding available. For bedding straw or even thick clothing can be used.
- Goats kidding in the cold weather will require more shelter because young kids will not be able to maintain their body temperature outside. A heat lamp may be required in these situations but should only be used with extreme caution because of the risk of barn fires or animals chewing electric cords.
- During the winter, goats need more energy to help maintain body temperature. They will also need roughage which can be supplied in grass, alfalfa, or mixed hay. Salt and minerals should also be available. Grainy feed should not be given to kids as they are not able to digest grains while it can be fed to adult goats.
- Also there is a need to take proper veterinary care for preventing ecto-endoparasitic infections during this period.
- Trim the hooves every 3 months to take care of foot rot and other foot related conditions.
Conclusion
Goat farming no doubt requires very less initial investment and proves to be a major source of employment for poor farmers. Profit incurred by farmers from this farming can be increased by adopting simple management practices available at local level with little or no cost which can help in alleviating major stress affecting the performance of this farming. One of the major stress is due to heat and cold climatic conditions which affects the animal at behavioral, hormonal, physiological and production level. By practicing these simple and cost effective heat and cold management practices a farmer can reduce the stress and can increase its profit which also proves helpful at animal welfare level.
DR RAMNARESH SHUKLA,LUCKNOW
