How To Raise Dairy Goats – Critical Tips To Follow To Raise Productive Goats
Article by Ted Allen
Raising goats has become a hobby and a way to earn money. If you are interested in raising your own herd of goats, continue reading and learn valuable tips on how to raise dairy goats. They are great milk producers and they are much easier to take care of. Milk is a product consumed largely by consumers around the world and it can be turned into various products such as cheese and butter.
Before raising dairy goats, remember to investigate the market condition, the costs and availability of the resources needed in raising goats. Knowledge on how to raise dairy goats is also necessary, so do your research and study before acquiring the materials. When all of this is done, you can then start with choosing the breed. Common dairy goat breeds include the Alpine, Indian Jamnapari and Anglo Nubian.
Raising goats is similar to raising other kinds of breeds. The difference lies in the nutrients each type of goat needs to keep them healthy and strong. In order for you to fully comprehend and know how to raise dairy goats, learn and understand the cycles of the female goat. Goats have their cycles in early autumn and stay in heat for another several months. The cycle goes on and off for 25 days and if they get pregnant, gestation lasts around 150 days.
Since these goats are always pregnant and lactating, ensuring proper nourishment is a must. Provide lots of protein, energy, and mineral especially iron to ensure that you get the best quality of milk. The proper care of the female goat can greatly affect the success in raising dairy goat farms.Another tip on how to raise dairy goats is to provide an appropriate environment for them. Provide a covered shelter to house the goats; a floor made of dirt or sawdust will do. A water trough can also be installed for the goats and keep the water clean by replacing it regularly. The shed, should be kept dry and cleaned regularly to avoid infection and diseases. Have the goats vaccinated for diseases, and let a veterinarian check them regularly.
To enable the goats to graze and wander freely without the trouble of them escaping, build a fence. A typical fence consists of three strands of electrified wire. Once a goat touches them, it will experience shock. This trains the goat from running through it and it also keeps out other animals and predators from coming in.
