As a food source, goat meat has gained popularity due to its high nutritional value and safety factor. Compared to other livestock feeds, goat feed is the least polluted by various kinds of pollution, particularly pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Moreover, goat feed has not been used or is basically not using antibiotics so far. These factors make goat meat a safer option than other meats.
However, raising goats requires proper attention and care to ensure their health and well-being. Here are some important factors to consider when raising goats:
Housing: The goat barn should be built in a sunny area with high terrain and good drainage. Each goat should have an area of 1-2 square meters in the barn. There should be a sports field outside the barn, which should be 2-5 times the area of the barn. The sports field should have drinking troughs, feeding troughs, and grass racks, while the manure storage tank should be placed outside the barn.
Diet: Goats are herbivorous animals, so they should mainly be fed with forage and leaves, supplemented by concentrate feed. In summer and autumn, when the temperature is high, goats should be fed more grass, leaves, and forage, with the ratio of grass to forage being 4:1.
Concentrate feed should also be given in appropriate amounts. In winter and spring, when there is less forage, goats can be fed with more mixed feeds to promote growth and development.
Water: Provide goats with sufficient water every day to avoid loss of appetite and digestive problems due to lack of water. In winter, warm water should be given to them.
Health: Check the health of the goats regularly. They should be vaccinated against common diseases such as tetanus and clostridial diseases. If any goat is sick, separate it from the others and provide it with appropriate treatment.
Cleanliness: Clean the ground of the goat barn daily, disinfect the barn and its surroundings regularly, and remove goat manure every 15 days. The manure should be taken to a place far away from the barn to pile up and ferment.
Exercise: Goats need to exercise regularly to maintain good health. The sports field should provide them with enough space to move around freely.
In addition to these factors, it's also important to choose the right breed of goat according to the purpose of raising them. For example, some breeds are more suitable for meat production, while others are better for milk production.
It's worth noting that raising goats requires a considerable amount of time and effort. However, it can also be a rewarding experience. Goats are intelligent, social animals that can develop close bonds with their owners. They also provide a valuable source of food, milk, and fiber.
In conclusion, raising goats requires proper attention and care. By providing them with a suitable environment, diet, water, exercise, and health care, we can ensure that they grow and develop in a healthy way. As a result, we can enjoy the benefits of goat meat as a safe and nutritious food source.