Health MeasuresGoats should be de-wormed regularly or as advised by
the local Veterinary offi cer. This also applies to spray for
control of ticks,fl eas and lice. Goat production in dry areas of Kenya
Kenya Agricultural Research InstituteP.O. Box 57811-00200, NAIROBI.
Tel: 254-20-4183301-20, Fax: 254-20-4183344Email: [email protected]
Website: www. kari.org
Compiled by: Korir, B.K.
For more information contact:
Centre Director, KARI Kiboko, P.O.Box 12, Makindu 90138
Tel: (045) 22366/7/8Fax: (045) 622314
Email: [email protected]
KARI information brochure series / 20 /2008 Ksh. 20
Tel: 254-20-4183301-20, Fax: 254-20-4183344Healthy goats
The breeding buck should be changed as soon as the
daughters become sexually mature.
Feeding The quality and quantity of feeds is a big problem
especially during the dry seasons.
Feed storage in feeds stress periods is essential and can
be achieved through planting of dual purpose crops
such as sorghum, cowpeas and dolichos.
Other options include:
• Acacia pods collected and stored for use during
periods of scarcity.
• Setting pastures aside as reserved grazing and
sowing with quality feeds.
• Water should be provided throughout even when
goats have diarrhea.
BreedingChoice of breed and its management are important in
goat production. The predominant breeds in dry areas
are Gala (Somali) and Small East African.
Mating should be done so as to coincide with periods
of good feed supply to increase conception rates and
the twinning ability of the goats.
Kidding should also occur when feeds are plentiful to
ensure enough milk for fast growth rate of the kids.
Kids which grow fast attain sexual maturity early and also
withstand disease challenges.
Inbreeding should be avoided by removing young males
from the herd.
An apron used on the undesired males in the herd is
also an effective way of controlling mating.
IntroductionGoat production in the dry week of Kenya has been
factors that include:
• Disease and pest infections
• Poor breeds and breeding routines
• Poor nutrition
• Endo and ecto-parasites infestation.
Good housing, breeding and feeding can overcome these
constraints and reduce high mortality and slow growth
rate of kids.
HousingHouses should be well ventilated, well lit damp proof
and made from affordable local materials. Goat houses
protect the kids from harsh weather conditions which
can cause pneumonia.
Housing also helps:-
• Individual animal attention
• Prevent predation and theft
• Manure collection.
Routine cleaning gets rid of ecto-parasites and other
pathogens and the manure is used to improve fi eld
crops.
• Setting pastures aside as reserved grazing and Suckling kid
Male fi tted with Apron
also an effective way of controlling mating. Well ventilated goat house