Feeding Ewes

Feed represents the single largest cost in all types of sheep production. A ewe's nutritional needs are not static. What and how much to feed a ewe depends upon many factors, including the ewe's age, weight, and body condition, along with her stage and level of production. Climate and exercise can also have an effect on nutritional requirements. 

A wide variety of feedstuffs can meet the nutritional needs of ewes during their different production stages. There is no one perfect feeding program. The choice of feeding program will depend upon geographic region, when lambs are born, and the cost and availability of feedstuffs.

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Life cycle feeding of ewes 

Breeding

Flushing
Feeding the ewe so she is gaining weight about 2 weeks before breeding is called flushing. Flushing may increase lambing percentage by increasing the number of eggs that the ewes ovulate. Flushing works best on thin ewes. Ewes that are already in good body condition usually do not respond well to flushing.

Flushing has more effect early in the breeding season. Flushing may also be beneficial late in the breeding season. Mature ewes respond better to flushing than yearlings. You can flush ewes by feeding them 0.5 to 1 lb. of grain per day or by moving them to a better pasture. If flushing is continued through the breeding season, it may enhance embryo survival during early pregnancy.

Plant estrogens
Ewes should not be bred on pastures that contain a high percentage of legumes. Clovers (especially red clover), alfalfa, and birdsfoot trefoil may delay estrus. Fescue grasses, as well as barley grain and oat grain also contain compounds with estrogenic activity. Estrogenic compounds are present in varying concentrations in most all legume plants during the entire growing season, though not when the plants are mature and dry.

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Early-to-mid gestation

Early/mid gestation is a critical period because placental development occurs from day 30 to day 90 of gestation. Placental size or weight affects nutrient transfer between the ewe and the her fetuses. Underdeveloped placentas result in lower birth weights regardless of late gestation nutrition. Twenty-one (21) days of severe underfeeding or 80 days of moderate underfeeding can affect placental development.

Late gestation

Knowing how much to feed ewes during late gestation can be difficult because it depends upon the number of fetuses the ewe is carrying. Underfeeding will result in the birth of small lambs. Small lambs are less resistant to cold stress and will have slower pre-weaning growth. Most of the ewe's mammary development occurs during late gestation. Underfeeding will reduce the yield and quality of milk. Big lambs increase lambing problems and have a higher mortality rate.

The nutrients that are important during late gestation are energy, protein, calcium, selenium, and vitamin E. The amount of energy required depends upon the number of fetuses and cold stress. Winter lambing ewes usually cannot consume enough forage to meet their energy needs. More energy is required two weeks before lambing versus six weeks before lambing. Ewes carrying singles do not need to receive grain as early as those carrying multiple births.

Pregnancy toxemia
Pregnancy toxemia or ketosis is the most common nutritional disorder that occurs during late gestation. It is caused by an inadequate intake of energy during late gestation, as fetuses make 70 percent of their growth. As the ewe breaks down her body fat to meet her increasing nutritional needs, toxic ketone bodies are produced.

The ewes that are most prone to pregnancy toxemia are fat ewes, thin ewes, old ewes, timid ewes, and ewes carrying multiple births. Treatment is to increase the blood glucose level. In advanced cases, a caesarian section may be necessary.

Milk fever
Milk fever is different in sheep as compared to dairy cattle in that symptoms occur pre-lambing. Milk fever is low blood calcium. It is caused by either inadequate intake of calcium or the inability to mobilize calcium reserves. The clinical symptoms are very similar to pregnancy toxemia. Differential diagnosis is based on the affected ewe's response to calcium therapy.

Vaginal prolapses tend to occur more frequently in fat ewes or ewe lambs carrying multiple fetuses. There is simply not enough room. Preventing ewes from becoming overfat and limiting intake are two ways to reduce vaginal prolapses.

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Lactation

Lactation places the greatest nutritional demand on ewes. How much you feed a ewe will depend upon how many lambs she is nursing, her size and condition, her age, and the time of the year the lambs are born. Ideally, ewes should be separated into production groups and fed according to the number of lambs they are nursing. A general rule of thumb for concentrate feeding of lactating ewes is 1 pound of grain for each lamb nursing the ewe.

Protein and energy are both critical nutrients for milk production. If either nutrient is fed below the requirement, milk yields and lamb gain will be reduced. After the first 60 days of lactation, you should reduce the amount of feed you are feeding because all it will accomplish is making the ewes fat.

Most ewes will lose weight during lactation. Weight loss during lactation affects protein requirements. The more weight ewes lose, the higher their protein requirement will be.

Water
Lactating ewes require a lot of water if they are expected to milk well. It is estimated that lactating ewes require 100 percent more water than non-lactating ewes. Ewes should have a free-choice supply of fresh, clean water at all times. Heated water bowls should be used during the winter to encourage water consumption. Water bowls should be checked and cleaned on a daily basis.

WeaningWeaning often takes place at a time when ewes are still producing a lot of milk. In this is the case, grain should be reduced 1 to 2 weeks prior to weaning. For the last week or so prior to weaning, no grain should be fed to the ewes. For the last several days before weaning, ewes should be fed a low quality grass hay or straw. After the lambs have been weaned, the ewes should be maintained in dry lot and fed low quality grass hay or straw until their udders start to dry up and recede.

It is not necessary to remove water from ewes at weaning. It can also be dangerous during hot weather. Do not turn ewes onto pasture immediately after weaning. Spring grass is high in protein, water, and other nutrients which promote milk production.

The overriding concern at weaning time for ewes is to prevent mastitis. Ewes need to be watched closely during the weaning period for mastitis. Ewes with spoiled udders have decreased or no future production value.

MaintenanceThe maintenance period is usually the longest period in the ewe's production year. Maintenance means the ewe only needs to maintain her body weight or have slow growth to recover the weight (condition) she lost during lactation. A wide variety of low-cost feedstuffs can meet the maintenance requirements of ewes. Pasture or grass hay is all most sheep need to maintain themselves. Pet sheep should always be fed at a maintenance level.

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Weaning sheep

Weaning is a crucial time in the management of ewes and sheeps. It is the practice of removing from sheeps the milk diet provided by the ewe (or a milk replacement diet). From the milk diet, sheeps are moved onto forage or grain-based diets. The separation can be stressful for both ewes and sheeps. It should be the goal of all producers to minimize stress at weaning. 

When to Wean: 

Weaning age varies greatly in the sheep industry and depends upon many factors including availability of pasture and other feed supplies and target market. Sheeps have been weaned successfully as early as 14 days, while some sheeps are allowed to wean naturally, staying with the dams for six months or more. In fact, some sheeps are marketed before they are weaned.

Early in life, the sheep cannot digest anything but milk. However, by 3 weeks of age, the developed rumen makes the sheep more efficient than the ewe. Typically, the ewe's milk production peaks 3 to 4 weeks after sheeping and steadily declines to about half as much by 10 weeks. About 74 percent of all milk is produced in the first 8 weeks of lactation. 

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Early Weaning: 

Early weaning is a relative term, but implies weaning at any time after 14 days of age, but usually before 90 days. Sixty (60) days is a common weaning age in intensively managed sheep operations. It is common to wean sheeps in a dairy sheep operation when they are 30 to 35 days of age.

Early weaning can be successful provided sheeps are drinking water and consuming adequate amounts of dry feed. Creep feeding is part of most weaning programs. The size of the sheep at weaning is generally more important than its actual age. As a rule of thumb, most sheeps can be weaned at 60 days of age, whichever comes first (though this will vary by breed).

Early weaning offers many advantages. Weaned sheeps are very efficient feed converters. It is more efficient to feed grain to sheeps because they will convert the feed to gain more efficiently than the ewes can convert the feed to milk to sheep gain. Early weaning eases the lactation stress of high-producing ewes. It allows ewes to return to breeding condition earlier, which is essential for accelerated sheeping programs.

Weaning sheeps early and placing them in a feed lot for finishing saves pasture and enables the producer to maintain more ewes on a given amount of pasture. In drought years, it is common to wean sheeps early (60-90 days).
With early weaning, cull ewes can be sold earlier, sometimes for higher prices. Sheeps can are usually marketed early, when prices are typically higher. However, early weaning is more stressful to both the ewe and sheeps. Ewes are more prone to mastitis because they are still producing milk when their sheeps are separated.

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Orphan Sheeps:

Early weaning should always be the goal with orphan sheeps. Artificially-reared sheeps can be successfully weaned from milk feeding at 11 to 15kgs body weight or when they are 30 to 45 days old. Weaning abruptly is better than offering a diluted milk replacer the last week. However, orphan sheeps should not be weaned unless they are drinking water and consuming solid food.

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Late Weaning:

In a natural situation, weaning occurs at approximately 6 months of age, usually in the fall when the ewes return to estrus. Spring-born sheeps are often weaned later than winter-born and fall-born sheeps. In fact, it is not uncommon to leave spring-born sheeps with their dams on pasture until they are ready for market.

There are several advantages to late weaning. It is more natural and results in less stress for the ewe and sheeps. There is less risk of the ewe developing mastitis since her milk production has declined significantly by the time the sheeps are weaned. Late weaning allows the producer to take advantage of available forage for sheeps.

Pasture gains are usually more economical than those achieved in a feed lot situation. On the other hand, sheeps must compete with ewes for the available forage. They are more likely to become infected with infective worm larvae. Predator problems are usually greater in late weaning, pasture-rearing environments. If male sheeps will be left with their dams past 3 to 4 months of age, they should be castrated. Castrated rams do not grow as fast as intact males.

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A comparison of early vs. late weaning:

Early (less than 90 days)	Late (more than 120 days)
It is not necessary to castrate ram sheeps. It is more efficient to feed grain to sheeps than ewes. It eases lactation stress of prolific ewes It allows ewes to return to breeding condition earlier. Cull ewes can be sold earlier. Sheeps can usually be marketed earlier. Pasture is saved for ewes. More ewes can be maintained on farm.	It is more natural. Sheeps and ewes are less stressed. There is less risk of mastitis. It requires less pens and/or pasture fields. It takes advantage of available forage. Pasture gains are usually more economical than feedlot gains.
However . . . It is more stressful to sheeps and ewes. Ewes are more prone to mastitis. Extra pens and/or pasture fields are needed.	However . . . Sheeps have to compete for the same pasture as ewes. Sheeps are more likely to become infected with worm larvae. Predator losses could be higher. Ram sheeps need to be castrated.

Preventing Mastitis:

The main concern at weaning time for ewes is to prevent mastitis problems. Ewes with mastitis have reduced or no production value in future years. The easiest way to prevent mastitis is to halt milk production. Approximately two weeks before weaning, grain should be removed from the ewe's diet. IF possible, you should feed a low quality forage prior to weaning. Feeding straw the last 2 to 3 days before weaning further shuts down lactation.

After weaning, ewes should be maintained on low quality feed for 3 to 7 days to assist ewes in drying up. Some producers withhold or restrict water intake before and after weaning. However, removing water from the ewe's diet during hot weather can be dangerous and is not recommended.

You should not turn ewes out to pasture immediately after weaning them. Spring grass is high in protein, water, and other nutrients which promote milk production.

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Weaning Environment:

Generally, weaning time is more stressful for sheeps than ewes. At weaning, the sheeps are challenged not only by being separated from their mother, but also by their need to fend for themselves nutritionally. Their immune systems are not fully developed, and they are more susceptible to disease.

You should not drastically change the sheep's ration for two weeks before to two weeks after weaning. When weaning, the ewes should be removed from the sheeps, not vice versa. By leaving sheeps in the same location, they will experience less stress and are less likely to go off feed because they will know where the feeders, minerals, and water are.

It has generally recommended that ewes and sheeps are far enough apart that they can't hear each other. It's important to maintain the same groupings during weaning, e.g. keep siblings together. Newly weaned sheeps should have plenty of clean, fresh water at all times. Keep the sheeps on the same feed before and after weaning until the stress of weaning has pasted (7-10 days). Feeds containing urea should not be fed for at least 2 weeks past weaning.

Sheeps weaned at 10 weeks of age will recognize and return to their dams after 2 months of separation. After weaning, twins will stay together for the first few days.

Newly weaned sheeps should be closely monitored for health problems. Coccidiosis is most common in weanling sheeps. Enterotoxemia (overeating disease type D) is more common in early weaned sheeps. It can be prevented with vaccination. Sheeps from vaccinated dams should receive their first vaccination for type D at approximately 10 weeks of age, followed by a booster 2 to 4 weeks later.

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Nutrient management on sheep farms

One of the most important aspects of any animal-based agricultural operation is having an effective waste management plan which reaps the benefits and helps reduce the risks associated with the use and disposal of animal wastes. Improper manure management can have a detrimental effect on water quality.

Manure management regulations are created and enforced by federal, provincial, state, and local authorities in an attempt to minimize water pollution. Good manure management will also ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the nutrients in the manure.

If sheep and/or lambs spend any part of the year in barns, stalls, pens, loafing areas, or feeding areas, you will need to deal with manure from those areas. Manure is not just the urine and feces from livestock, but also the bedding, runoff, spilled feed, and anything else mixed with it.

A complete manure management system involves collection, storage (temporary or long-term) and ultimate disposal or utilization. If your sheep produce more manure than you can use on your land, you need to develop ways to sell the manure or give it away.

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Manure production
Manure production varies with breed and feeding levels. The amount of bedding to be handled with the manure depends on the housing system selected. A market lamb weighing about 100 lbs produces 4 lbs of manure daily, the equivalent of about 0.06 cubic feet per day. About 0.65 cubic foot per day of storage is needed for each 1,000 pounds of live sheep, or about 40 pounds of manure per day.

Manure as a Fertilizer
Manure contains valuable nutrients, like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In addition to the three major elements, manure also contains essential micro-nutrients (boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybednum, sulfer, and zinc. Manure nutrients come from the feed that the animals have eaten.

Manure Storage

Storage of livestock wastes and wastewater involves accumulating manure in an environmentally sound manner until they can be applied to land or otherwise utilized. Manure storage facilities allow farmers to spread manure when the conditions are right for nutrient use by crops.

The ideal storage site for solid manure is a roofed shed with an impermeable floor (e.g. concrete). Dry manure can be stored in solid form in stockpiles; however, the piles should be covered. Obviously, manure storage structures or sites should be located to minimize odour nuisance to neighbours.

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Management of sheep and kids

      1. Ensure proper suckling of the lambs. Examine udders for blindness of teats or mastitis.

2. Take care of indifferent mothers and arrange suckling of lambs by restraining such types of ewes.

3.    Provide creep feed (good quality hay with or without concentrate mixture) to suckling lambs in addition to suckling of milk from tenth day to weaning age.

4. If possible, make available green leguminous fodder or fresh tree leaves to lambs to nibble during suckling period.

5.  Perform 'lamb marking' operation (comprising ear tagging/tattooing, tail docking and castration of male lambs) at the age of 2-4 weeks.

6. Weaning should preferably be done at 90 days, although in breeds with low milk production or where re-breeding is desired, it can be done around 60 days.

7.  Supplementary feeding and good clean pastures must be provided.

8. Weaned lambs should be drenched against gastro-intestinal parasites by the first month, and vaccinated against enterotoxaemia and sheep pox.

9.  Weaners should not be grazed on poor, burry and thorny types of pasture since it could cause skin irritation, injury to the eyes and damage to the wool.

10.  They should be protected against predation and the vagaries of climate.

Castration : Surplus males are castrated to check indiscriminate mating, to make the males more docile and to make mutton of superior quality. However, in India, the market demand most often favours the intact male. Castration is usually done by using a castrating knife, Burdizzo castrator/emasculatome or elastrator.

1.    Burdizzo/emasculatome method

§  Secure the lamb and place it on its rumps with tail placed along the floor.

§  Manipulate the testes and slightly pull out the scrotum.

§  Hold the spermatic cords tightly on both sides making sure that it does not slip.

§  Apply tincture iodine at the site.

§  Place the jaws of the emasculatome over the spermatic cords and press the handles completely; hold for a few moments before releasing.

§  Repeat the process about 1 cm below the first crush.

§  Apply additional antiseptic and watch the animal for infection for a few days.

§  Precautions : The emasculatome must be clean and disinfected, and its jaws must be clean and  smooth. The testes must be protected from injury. The scrotal skin folds must not be crushed.

Layout and design of sheds for sheep and goat farms

Normally sheep and goats do not require elaborate housing facilities, but minimum provisions will definitely increase productivity, especially protection against inclement weather conditions and predation. Often, the flocks are penned in the open during fair weather and some temporary shelters are made use of in monsoon and winter. Sheep can be economically reared under ranch system. Requirements of building units are more or less the same for sheep and goats, except that additional buildings are required for goats reared for milk.

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The shed site should be easily approachable and spacious, dry, elevated, well-drained and protected from strong winds. An East-West orientation ensures cooler environment. A “lean-to” type of shed, located against the side of an existing building, is the cheapest form of building. Loose housing is more advantageous as compared to conventional/stall-fed sheds because it is suitable for semi-arid regions and large-sized flocks, it involves less expenditure, it provides more comfort to the animals, it is less labour-intensive, and it provides freedom of movement and gives the benefit of exercise. Stilted housing is common in areas with heavy rainfall.

Floor space requirements :-

Sl. No.	Type of animal	Minimum floor space (m2)
1.	Ram or buck in groups	1.8
2.	Ram or buck, individual	3.2
3.	Lamb or kids in groups	0.4
4.	Weaner in groups	0.8
5.	Weaner, individual	0.9
6.	Yearling, individual	0.9
7.	Yearlings in groups	0.9
8.	Ewe or doe in groups	1.0
9.	Ewe or doe, individual	1.2
10.	Ewe with lamb	1.5

Types of sheds :-

Sl. No.	Type of shed	Size (m)	Height (m)	Maximum animals
1.	Ewe/doe shed	15 x 4	3	60
2.	Ram/buck shed	4 x 2.5	3	3
3.	Lambing/kidding shed	1.5 x 1.2	3	3
4.	Lamb/kid shed	7.5 x 4	3	75
5.	Weaner shed	7.5 x 4	3	75
6.	Yearling shed	10 x 5	3	50
7.	Sick animal shed	3 x 2	3	1
8.	Shearing shed and store room	6 x 2.5	3
9.	Shepherd’s room	6 x 4	3

Breeding schedule in sheep and goat

A. SHEEP

Age at mating : Sheep normally attain good growth at about 24 months (range 18-36) of age. Breeding too young ewes results in more weaklings and higher lamb losses. It is desirable to use rams for mating from the age of 2 years till the age of 7 years.

Mating season and estrus cycle : Sheep are seasonally polyestrus. In India, there are three main breeding seasons viz. summer (Mar-Apr), autumn (Jun-Jul) and post-monsoon (Sep-Oct). In general, higher fertility is observed in autumn season in the plains and in summer season in the hilly areas. The ewes usually come in heat about 2 months after lambing. The duration of the estrus cycle is 17 days (range 14-19) and heat period lasts for 27 hours (2-60). Ovulation occurs about 12 hours before the end of heat period.

Preparations for breeding :-

1.    Flushing : Feeding extra grain or lush pasture 2-3 weeks prior to the breeding season for the purpose of increasing the number of ova shed from the ovary and increase the incidence of twinning. Feeding about 250 gms grains daily to each ewe results in an increase in the lamb crop by about 10-20 per cent.

2.    Tagging : This refers to the shearing the locks of wool and dirt from the dock of the ewes, thus facilitating mating by the ram.

3.    Eyeing : This refers to the clipping of excess wool around the eyes to prevent wool blindness in some breeds.

4.    Ringing : This refers to shearing of wool from the body of the ram, especially in the neck, belly and sheath region prior to the breeding season.

Detection of estrus : As sheep in heat show few external indications of estrus other than standing to be mounted, heat is generally detected with the help of a teaser. Wet paint (dye mixed in grease or linseed oil) can be smeared on the brisket of the teaser ram to spot the ewes in estrus. The colour of the dye should be changed every 16-18 days so that the repeaters can be discovered. Other indications of estrus are vulvar swelling, frequent urination, restlessness and reduced appetite.

Mating : As far as possible, rams should be kept away from the ewes and the two should be brought together only for breeding. Natural breeding is done either by flock mating, pen mating or hand mating.

§  In flock mating, breeding rams are usually turned out in the flock during the mating season at the rate of 2-3 per cent of the ewes all through day and night.

§  In semi-flock breeding or pen mating, rams are turned out for service with the flock in the pen during night, and confined and stall-fed or grazed separately during the day time in order to conserve their energy and give them rest.

§  Hand mating is practiced when exotic purebred sires are used, or when it is considered desirable to extend the services of the ram over much larger flocks.

Identifying pregnant ewes : Identification of pregnant ewes is essential for the re-breeding of empty ewes and efficient management of pregnant ewes. Pregnancy can be diagnosed by observing for cessation of estrus cycle, abdominal ballotment (from third month onwards) and by means of a chemical test.

Procedure : Mix 5 ml of urine sample and 5 ml of 1% Barium chloride solution. Turbidity indicates pregnancy whereas clear solution indicates non-pregnant condition.

Care of pregnant ewes : Careful management of pregnant ewes will have a marked influence on the percentage of lambs dropped.

§  Do not handle the pregnant animals too frequently.

§  House the pregnant ewes in separate enclosures and protect from inclement weather and extremes of temperature.

§  Crutching is done 7-10 days prior to lambing to avoid lambs suckling dung.

§  Separate the advanced pregnant animals form the main flock and take effective care in their feeding and management.

§  Extra feed during the later part of pregnancy (3-4 weeks before parturition) will be beneficial for the condition of pre-parturient ewes, thus improving milk production of ewes, and birth weight and growth of lambs. Inadequate and poor nutrition may result in pregnancy toxaemia, abortions and premature births of weak lambs.

§  Bring lambing ewes into lambing corrals 4-6 days before parturition and provide soft, clean bedding, individual lambing pens and maximum comfort. 

§  Watch gestation length which ranges from 142-150 (avg. 147) days.

Care at lambing : An ewe about to lamb prefers to leave the flock. She is restless, the udder is often distended and external genitals are in a flushed and flaccid condition. Normally there is no necessity of assisting the ewes at the time of lambing except in the case of dystokia. The following precautions may be taken at lambing:-

§  Maiden ewes in poor condition or small-framed ewes mated to big rams will generally have difficulty in parturition and will have to be assisted.

§  Ensure that the nose and mouth are free of membranes and mucoid fluid immediately after birth.

§  Ligate, sever and antiseptically dress the navel cord of the lamb.

§  Do not handle lambs too frequently immediately after birth and let the dams lick and recognize them properly.

§  Newborn lambs, after being licked by their mother, generally stand on their legs and start seeking for teats and suckle milk. In case they are not able to do so, assist them in suckling colostrum.

§  Take up artificial milk feeding or arrange foster mother for disowned or orphan lambs. These lambs can either be reared on goat milk or by foster mothers. To aid the adoption of the orphan lambs by the foster mother, rub its milk on the rump of the orphan and the nose of the foster mother, keep both animals in close proximity to each other. Orphan lambs can also be reared by hand using a clean bottle and nipples, feeding about 30 gm milk at two hourly intervals for the first two days, and increasing the quantity and decreasing the frequency subsequently.

§  Give a teaspoonful of castor oil or liquid paraffin to the lamb to facilitate defecation and easy passing out of meconium.

§  Allow newborn lambs to be with their dams all day long during the first week.

§  Protect newborn lambs from adverse climatic conditions.

§  Feed sufficient quantity of good quality hay and concentrates to the lactating ewes for meeting the nutritional requirements of early lactation.

§  Provide plenty of clean, fresh drinking water as the lactating ewes drink higher amounts of water.

B. GOATS

Age at mating : Does may be mated at 12-15 months age so that they kid at the age of 17-20 months. The average gestation period is 151±3 days. Bucks of 18-24 months of age may be used to serve 25-30 does; and when they attain full maturity at the age of 2-2½  years, may be allowed to serve 50-60 does in a breeding season.

Mating season and estrus cycle : The does are more or less continuous breeders. It is better to breed the female once a year. Some goats can be made to kid twice in 18 months. Most does come in heat in September and March. The buck is sexually more active in winter and spring. The duration of the estrus cycle varies from 18-21 days. Duration of estrus is about 36 hours. The best time of mating/insemination is 10-12 hours after the onset of heat and a second service again after 10 hours if heat continues.

Detection of estrus : The signs of heat in the doe usually are uneasiness, redness and swelling of the vulva, frequent wagging of the tail, loss of appetite and reduced feed intake, frequent urination, frequent bleating, mounting by other does, sudden drop in milk yield and mucous discharge from the vulva.

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Advantages of goat farming

        1.       The goat is a multi-purpose animal producing meat, milk, hide, fibre and manure. In hilly areas, goats are also used for hauling light loads.

2.       Goats have very few demands of housing and management. They hardly need separate housing and happily share their homes with their owners or his other livestock.

3.       Goats can be raised by landless agricultural labourers, ladies and children because they can thrive well on variety of leaves, shrubs, bushes, kitchen waste etc.

4.       Goat farming can be a profitable occupation for a farmer and can fit well into mixed farming.

5.       Goats are cheaper to maintain, easily available and have a friendly disposition.

6.       Goats are capable of adapting to various agro-climatic conditions ranging from arid dry to cold arid to hot humid. They can be raised in plains, hilly tracts, sandy zones and at high altitudes.

7.       Goats are more tolerant to hot climate than other farm animals.

8.       Goats suffer from fewer ailments than other large animals.

9.       Goats have got increased digestibility of crude fibre and can produce even on poor quality roughages.

10.   Goats give more production per unit of investment.

11.   Goats are smaller in size and have a younger slaughter age.

12.   Goat meat has no religious taboo and is relished by all sections of society.

13.   Goat meat has less fat and is more in demand.

14.   Goats are called the foster mother of man, as their milk is considered better for human nutrition than other species of livestock.

15.   Goat milk is cheap, wholesome, easily digestible and nutritious.

16.   Goat milk is finer than cow milk i.e. the fats and proteins are present in a finer state and are more easily digestible, especially by children and invalids.

17.   Goat milk has lesser allergic problems than other species of livestock.

18.   Goat milk is used as a ayurvedic medicine for personas ailing with asthma, cough, diabetes etc..

19.   Goat milk has higher buffering qualities and this enhances its value for patients suffering from peptic ulcers, liver dysfunction, jaundice, biliary disorders and other digestive problems.

20.   Goat milk has higher phosphate content, which is beneficial for vegetarian communities.

21.   Goat milk has a higher content of B-complex vitamins.

22.   Goat milk is suitable for preparing various milk products.

23.   Goats can be milked as often as required, preventing milk storage problems and refrigeration costs.

24.   Goat hide is used for the manufacture of leather products.

25.   Goat hairs are used for the manufacture of rugs and ropes.

26.   Pashmina shawls, Mohair and Kashmere carpets are in great demand and are sold at very high prices.

27.   Goat manure is 2.5 times richer in nitrogen and phosphoric acid than cow manure.

28.   Goats form an excellent animal for physiological and biomedical research.

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