Post by Farmer Nestor on Mar 19, 2010 19:20:37 GMT -8
Raising Goat a Guide to OFW’s
Being an OFW myself I was obliged to write a simple guideline’s on how to raise goats. Many has failed on this field because of lack of knowledge and understanding.
Attending Seminars
This is the first move that we did before anything else. Although there are a lot of info on the internets I still recommend attending one.
Where to Go?
The Federation of Goats And Sheep Producers of the Philippines Inc. usually conduct seminars on a regular basis.
Goat and Sheep Center of CLSU Science City of Munoz Nueva Ecija is also conducting seminar’s on goat raising.
Selecting your Farm
An ideal farm should have a good access to roads, a good source of water and should have a good quality of soil, and no history of flooding.
What Breed
Dairy
There are six officially recognized breeds of dairy goats, Alphine, LaMancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, Toggenburg, and Saanen, and a miniature one the Pygmy.
Of the six larger breeds, four are closely related and look quite similar. Alphines, Oberhasli, Saanens, and Toggenburgs all originated in the Alps of France and Switzerland. As a group they are reffered to as the Swiss breed. All have straight or slightly concave faces-called dished-upright ears, and an alert deer like appearance.
Nubians and LaMancha were developed by crossing Swiss goats by other types. The Nubians has ancestry in Egyptians and Indian breeds, while the LaMancha was breed from the Spanish goats. The Nubians averages less milk than other breeds. LaManchas, Saanens, and Oberhasli are high yield milkers.
Alpnie
You can recognize an Alphine by its large, angular appearance and long slender neck.
LaMancha
The LaMancha is the only American goat, having its origin on the West Coast. LaManchas can be nearly any color, and are distinguished from other breeds by the absence or near absence of external ears.
Nubian
The Nubian is by far the most popular breed in the United States today.This goat can be recognized by the rounded shape of its face-called a Roman nose-and its floppy ears. Nubians may be many colors and patterns, but are usually black, tan, or bay (red), sometimes with spots like a painted horse. Nubians are more restless than other breeds, and tend to be more vociferous.
Oberhasli
They were formerly called the Swiss Alphines until 1978 when this breed was officially recognized as a separate breed. They come in shades of bay with black markings.
Pygmy
Pygmies are ideal for those with limited space or limited milk needs. On the average, Pygmies give about one-third as much as larger does. Their milk is also high in butterfat content. Pygmies can be of many colors, but shades of gray, especially salt and pepper called agouti are most common.
Saanen
Saanens are all white, or sometimes a light cream. A Saanen of any other color-usually black, and sometimes with white markings is called a Sable.
In Australia Saanens holds the world record for goat milk production, with 7714 pounds of milk in 365 days to her credit.
Toggenburg
Toggenburg are the smallest of the Swiss breeds. They are solid shades of brown, ranging from fawn to dark chocolate, with crisp white markings on the face and legs.Toggenburg milk averages lowest in butterfat.
Meat
Boer
Meat type with short to medium hair and horns are prominent. Reddish brown head and neck, with white body and legs.
Anglo Nubian.
Proud and graceful in appearance, long, wide, and pendulous ears, Roman nose.
Black, gray, cream, white shades or tan, reddish brown, facial stripes.
to be continued........
Being an OFW myself I was obliged to write a simple guideline’s on how to raise goats. Many has failed on this field because of lack of knowledge and understanding.
Attending Seminars
This is the first move that we did before anything else. Although there are a lot of info on the internets I still recommend attending one.
Where to Go?
The Federation of Goats And Sheep Producers of the Philippines Inc. usually conduct seminars on a regular basis.
Goat and Sheep Center of CLSU Science City of Munoz Nueva Ecija is also conducting seminar’s on goat raising.
Selecting your Farm
An ideal farm should have a good access to roads, a good source of water and should have a good quality of soil, and no history of flooding.
What Breed
Dairy
There are six officially recognized breeds of dairy goats, Alphine, LaMancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, Toggenburg, and Saanen, and a miniature one the Pygmy.
Of the six larger breeds, four are closely related and look quite similar. Alphines, Oberhasli, Saanens, and Toggenburgs all originated in the Alps of France and Switzerland. As a group they are reffered to as the Swiss breed. All have straight or slightly concave faces-called dished-upright ears, and an alert deer like appearance.
Nubians and LaMancha were developed by crossing Swiss goats by other types. The Nubians has ancestry in Egyptians and Indian breeds, while the LaMancha was breed from the Spanish goats. The Nubians averages less milk than other breeds. LaManchas, Saanens, and Oberhasli are high yield milkers.
Alpnie
You can recognize an Alphine by its large, angular appearance and long slender neck.
LaMancha
The LaMancha is the only American goat, having its origin on the West Coast. LaManchas can be nearly any color, and are distinguished from other breeds by the absence or near absence of external ears.
Nubian
The Nubian is by far the most popular breed in the United States today.This goat can be recognized by the rounded shape of its face-called a Roman nose-and its floppy ears. Nubians may be many colors and patterns, but are usually black, tan, or bay (red), sometimes with spots like a painted horse. Nubians are more restless than other breeds, and tend to be more vociferous.
Oberhasli
They were formerly called the Swiss Alphines until 1978 when this breed was officially recognized as a separate breed. They come in shades of bay with black markings.
Pygmy
Pygmies are ideal for those with limited space or limited milk needs. On the average, Pygmies give about one-third as much as larger does. Their milk is also high in butterfat content. Pygmies can be of many colors, but shades of gray, especially salt and pepper called agouti are most common.
Saanen
Saanens are all white, or sometimes a light cream. A Saanen of any other color-usually black, and sometimes with white markings is called a Sable.
In Australia Saanens holds the world record for goat milk production, with 7714 pounds of milk in 365 days to her credit.
Toggenburg
Toggenburg are the smallest of the Swiss breeds. They are solid shades of brown, ranging from fawn to dark chocolate, with crisp white markings on the face and legs.Toggenburg milk averages lowest in butterfat.
Meat
Boer
Meat type with short to medium hair and horns are prominent. Reddish brown head and neck, with white body and legs.
Anglo Nubian.
Proud and graceful in appearance, long, wide, and pendulous ears, Roman nose.
Black, gray, cream, white shades or tan, reddish brown, facial stripes.
to be continued........