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Goats along with sheep, were among the earliest domesticated animals. Goat remains have been found at early archeological sites in Western Asia which suggests that the domestication of goats was originally between 6000 and 7000 BC.

The major contributor of modern goats is the Bezoar goat which is distributed from the mountains of Asia Minor across the Middle East to Sind. Unlike sheep, goats easily revert to feral or wild conditions given a chance and populations of feral goats occur in many parts of the world. The domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of goat, with eight of these breeds being reared in Kenya. Goats differ from sheep in that the goat's tail is shorter, has long hollow horns directed upwards, backward and outward, while those of the sheep are spirally twisted. The male goats ('bucks') have beards, unlike sheep. Male goats also have a characteristic strong odour that is produced, particularly during the rutting season. The female goat ("doe"), which has smaller horns than the male, is often called a "nanny" goat. The young are called "kids". The male goat is called colloquially, "billy" goat. The goat's tail is short, bare underneath and usually carried upright. Major scent glands are located around the horn base. They function in stimulating oestrus in female goats improving conception.

The goat is used for meat and milk production. Many parts of the animal are economically valuable for a variety of purposes such as the hide for leather and the pelts for rugs and robes. All does that have produced kids should give milk but some breeds give more than others and selection processes have resulted in a number of breeds that are kept largely for milk production. Swiss goat breeds are the world?s leaders in milk production.

The goat odour is, however, a detriment to goat keep and meat and milk consumption if not properly controlled. Control of male goat odor (smell) is achieved by good hygiene practises and correct housing.

Goat milk compares favourably in nutritive value with cow's milk. It contains smaller fat globules and as a consequence is easierto digest and does not require homogenisation. It is used extensively in making cheeses. Goat milk casein and goat milk fat are more easily digested than that from cow milk. Goat milk is valued for the elderly, sick, babies, children with allergies, patients with ulcers and even preferred for raising orphan foals and puppies. In ASAL areas milk from goats and sheep still play a major role especially in child nutrition. Goat milk is higher in Vit A, Niacin, Choline and inositol than cow milk but is lower in Vit B6, B12, C and carotenoids.

Goats which produce fibre, e.g., Angora, are generally not as suitable for meat production. This is because they are small framed and produce smaller litters than other goats. Traditionally, goats and sheep have played a major role in Kenya/East Africa through the ages. These animals have been the main source of meat and skins, contributing much to the social and economic life of people. Some communities kept milking goats, but these have mostly gone out of production, especially with the arrival of the dairy cow in the 20th century.

Milk goats are definitely the way forward for the small-holder farmer. They not only take up less space in respect of both housing and grazing, especially if they are to be kept on zero grazing, but they eat less than a cow and will produce as much if not more milk than the average rural cow.

A breed is a group of domestic animals with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals of the same species.It is developed as a result of intensive selection of desirable traits within a large heterogenious population until the selection goal has been achieved, usually after the fourth generation.

A cross bred animal results from the mating of two pure breeds of the same species. Very often this cross has qualities which are better than either of the parents. This phenomenon is called heterosis or hybrid vigour and is widely used in livestock improvement. If more improvement is desired, then "grading-up" should be done. This is a process wherby the cross bred female is continually crossed with the desired male until a synthetic breed is realized.

With its origins in South Africa, the Boer goats is a commercial goat with many things in its favour including early maturity, has high average growth and weaning weights, and are prolific non-seasonal breeders. Combined with a high dressing percentage, these goats can produce a good return for investment. Goats reach marketable size at approximately twelve to fourteen weeks of age depending on nutrition and management.

Doe kidding rates are between 120% and 180% however kidding percentages of over 200% are not uncommon. Does have a fertility cycle of between 18 and 21 days and a gestation period of 150 days. Further, since they are not seasonal breeders Boer goats are capable of producing three kiddings in two years under favourable conditions.

It is white with red/brown head and neck, has prominent horns and broad drooping ears. Well muscled and strong boned. They respond well to concentrate feeds. The breed is valued for its meat and milk. Milk yield, however, is relatively low, ca. 0.7 - 1 lit/day. Butter fat 6%.

Kenya Alpine dairy goat (KADG) is a breed resulting from the grading-up of the local East African goat using pedigree German Alpine germplasm. This was and is still being done using natural service. The breed has four registration classes (genotypes) which include:

Studies have shown that as the percent of pedigree blood increases, the goat becomes more prolific poducing daily milk yield of 2.4-4.6lts when milked twice daily. Under proper managemnt, the goat can come on heat at 8 months of age. However, the average age at first kidding is usully twice or more than this age. The goat comes to heat every 24 days with a gestation period of 150 days.

The KADG is the most promising small stock dairy breed in Kenya since it has been widely accepted in many Districts in Central, Eastern and Western provinces; however maximal production is more dependent on the level of management as opposed to the genotype.

KADG goat ears are pricked and the hair is long. The goat is medium size. Colour black and brown but considerable variations occur. Horns are scimitar shaped. The adult male weighs 65 kg, female 60 kg. The breed is valued for its milk and meat. Milk yield 2.4-4.6 lit/ day. Butterfat 3.6%.

Is another commercial dairy breed under smallholder production systems in medium to high agricultural potential environment in Kenya. It originated from Toggenburg in Switzerland.

They have an average birth weight of 3.27 kg with a weaning weight of 19.12 kg and average daily gain of 136 g/day. Studies have shown that the smallholder farmers are able to maintain comparably high levels of milk production in the first three parities, with yields of 475±9 lts in the first parity, 507±9 lts in the second parity and 513±13 lts in the third parity. The Kidding interval has a range of 302±117 days. Studies have demonstrated that the Toggenburg goats are able to perform and thrive reasonably well under the low-input farming conditions.

Colour: brown, chocolate, fawn with white line each side of the face from above the eyes to muzzle, edges of ears, on rump and tail. Legs white from knees down. Males tend to have longer hair than the female.

There are two sub-types of Toggenburg:
The British Toggenburg males weigh up to 100 kg and females about 70 kg.
The Swiss Toggenburg males weigh about 70 kg and the females about 50 kg.

With its origin in West Switzerland, Saanens are the largest and one of the calmest of the dairy breeds. The Saanen breed also produces the most milk on average and tends to have lower butterfat content, about 2.5% - 3%. Estrous cycle length for Saanen goats is 21 days on average, while their average first mating age is 9.7 months. The age at their first use for breeding (kidding age) is 12.9 months. Estrous can be seen from 2-5 year olds.

The breed is large and white/ biscuit in colour with black spots on nose, ears and udder and with pink skin pigmentation. Ears point forwards and upwards. The conformation is good and udders tend to be very well developed. Short coat. Mostly polled. Hermaphrodism is common. This is associated with the gene for polledness and it is advisable to only keep horned bucks for breeding. The face is straight and slightly dished. Does do not respond well to strong sunlight and in very hot areas performs best under shade. Mature male weighs 80-100 kg while mature female weighs 60-70 kg and the breed has a high twining rate. Saanen have outward curving horns.

Purpose: milk production, up to 7 litres of milk per day under good management. Butter fat 3.5%.

Unless under specialized management aimed at a defined production goal, most goat breeds are dual purpose breeds.

The KDPG is a synthetic breed resulting from a four way cross of mating two indeginous breeds and two exotic breeds, i.e. Galla X E.Agoat X Toggenburg X Anglo-Nubian. It is mainly used for both milk and meat, thus the name "dual purpose". The KDPG produces a daily milk yield of about 1.116kg with peak milk yield occuring on the 7th week after kidding. It constantly produuces milk for 4months.

The cross breeds have high twinning rates and faster growth as well as larger body size than the local breeds.

The cross breeds fetch double the price compared to the local goats, due to larger body size and more kids due to high twinning rates. This introduction has led to much higher profits from goat rearing among the farmers undertaking this practice. (Personal communication from R. Muthama, Katumani farmer and Dr. Kariuki, Director, Katumani Research Station, Kenya).

Angoras are the most efficient fiber producing animals on earth, producing up to 25% of their own body weight in fiber annually. It is a small breed, usually white. The haircoat is long with undulating locks and ringlets of fine, silky hair. The top quality fleece of purebreds may be 1-2 lbs, but slightly more in males and wethers. They are bearded. Spring moult is natural and shearing occurs just before. They are not very prolific and twinning is less frequent than in other breeds. Angora goats are not raised for milk production but for fiber.Gestation is 145-150 days. Angoras breed seasonally, usually from August to January. Does are induced into estrus by the presence of a buck and cycle every 19-21 days until pregnant. A full grown buck in good condition can handle between 20 and 45 does; a kid buck will handle substantially fewer, probably no more than 10. When about to breed, the farmer should shear them and delouse and begin increasing their plane of nutrition several weeks in advance of breeding (called flushing). It is especially important that the buck is shorn particularly if it is hot. A shorn buck will be a more vigorous breeder and settle more does on the first attempt. It is also a good idea to worm and trim hooves a few weeks before breeding. Fianaly, Angora goats grow slowly and most do not reach their full body size until two years of age. For this reason, most does are bred for the first time as yearlings.

There are many different aspects to herd management. Improving your herd needs good planning and focus on what needs to be achieved. The following table gives some data on different goat breeds that are useful to keep in mind when planning herd improvement. Some breeds have higher twinning rates than others (Prolificacy: Anything above 1.00 means there is a chance of twins or triplets - the higher the number the better chance.) It can be seen that Toggenburg and Boer goats have the highest chances of twinning (1.80-2.00 ) In below table it is assumed that all goats are fed properly. Poor feeding affects fertility very negatively, and increases abortion rates and kidding rates as well as survival if kids.

In all breeds, fertility is affeceted by level of nutrition, the age at first service (AFS) and kidding interval and it has been reported that (KI) in local breeds is shorter than in exotic dairy breeds.

In all breeds, the best predictor of a buck's fertility is testicular weight as indicated by scrotal circumference. Although sperm is produced all year, ejaculate volume increases between January to March and June to October due mainly to the changing day length (photoperiod).

puberty can be defined as the time when spermatozoa are in the ejaculate,the age will be 3 to 5 months for bucks. Sexual activity in bucks commences with the formation of spermatozoa and the fluids which together comprise semen. The sperms are stored in the epididymis where they can remain fertile for up to 40 days and retain their motility up to about 60 days. Beyond this time they disintegrate and are absorbed

1 full grown buck can service 50 does. He should not service his own daughters.

A buck will coat his front legs and beard with urine. He will do anything in his power to get to the does in heat, including breaking down fences. He can be dangerous during this period, so don't ever turn your back on him, and especially if you are trying to remove does from his pen. It is best to put does on a long leash before putting them in his pen. That way you can pull them back out of the pen without having to go into the pen to get them.

Note: DO NOT "play" with young bucks. If you do, they may well become a nuisance when they are mature. A mature adult can weigh up to 80 kgs, may have large horns and could be a liability if he grows up thinking humans are "play things".

1. Pregnant dry does should be fed so as to rebuild any lost body reserves, provide for the developing foetus and to build some reserve fat before kidding. Free access to good pasture and roughage plus concentrates at 0.2-0.7 kg per day, depending on condition of doe. Yearling does should be fed enough for maintence and growth but not enough to fatten them i.e., 0.2 - 0.7 kg per day should be sufficient to obtain the desired growth rate. Browse, good pasture and high quality hay and a place to exercise are desireable.

2. As pregnancy progresses, the nutritional demands of the female increase. If the goat is heavily pregnant towards the end of the dry season, 4 things will happen at the same time:

Stress and rough handling during this period can cause the female to abort, and part of the stress is the poor quality of the feed available. Therefore it is important to look for good cheap feed for these pregnant does. This is a bad time to transport goats (to livestock shows or for sale) as the stress can cause abortion.

If possible the pregnant does should also have access to mineral salt blocks, shade and plenty clean drinking water.

Age at first mating: Females should have at least two hard teeth (18 months of age) before being mated. If mated younger with too low body weight, this may result in aborting or inability to feed and care for the kid(s). As a result of such early mating, the female's body growth will be stunted, and the kids will grow poorly and be of little value.

Mating usually takes place during the rainy seasons, ensuring enough feed for the young ones during the next rainy season.

Gestation period: 148-160 days.

Once mating has taken place the doe should be observed for 21 days and again at 42 days to check for return of heat. After 42 days she should be considered in kid.

The management of the breeding doe is related to 3 separate physiological stages.

1. The dry period (weaning to mating) - approximately 3 months
2. The pregnancy period (mating to kidding) - approximately 5 months
3. The lactation period (kidding to weaning) - until 2 months into next pregnancy

If a doe does not dry off naturally the farmer should, at approximately 2 months into next pregnancy, strip the goat of her milk in the evening and apply 1 tube to each teat of "Dry Cow". The goat should not be milked again, even if the udder appears to fill. She will now be 'dried off' in preparation for her next delivery.

A dairy goat's milk production will drop at approximately 8 weeks after conception and, by approximately 14 weeks, she may dry herself off. If not, it is suggested that she should be "stripped" after evening milking and a syringe of '"dry cow" should be infused into each teat and she should not be milked again, even if she appears to have a full udder. This will slowly disappear.
The doe is least productive during the dry period. At this time the doe recovers from the stresses of the previous pregnancy and lactation. The endocrine system is readjusting to the next service period and pregnancy.

The development of the foetus for the first 3 months of pregnancy is a slow process and no appreciable increase in the food requirement is needed. During the last 4 - 6 weeks before kidding however, the growth of the foetus is sufficiently rapid to deplete the food reserves o the doe. Thus the quantity and quality of the feed given over this period should be sufficient to meet the requirements of the foetus as well as those of the dam in preparation for parturition.

She will need more food to keep herself and the unborn kid growing. By the time she is due to kid she should be receiving as much as you would expect her to need as a milker. The last week prior to kidding, add more bran to her mixture.

At 6 weeks before kidding (16 weeks gestation) there will be a softening around the tail. This is because the pelvic bones are softening in preparation for the birth. The udder will start to expand. At the time of kidding the udder will fill rapidly and harden. If the bag becomes too full, and hard, milk must be taken off or she may develop mastitis and the kid may not be able to suckle.

Good feeding during pregnancy produces greater development of udder tissue and ensures a high milk i potential. A higher level of food offered for the last 2 months of pregnancy has the following advantages:

1. Low doe and kid mortality.

2. The kids are given a weight advantage at birth.

3. Milk flow in the doe is increased causing a greater live weight gain in the kid and thus a heavier live weight of adult stock.

It is important that during this period there should be no drastic changes of feed. Any change must be done gradually in order to allow adaptation. Water and mineral licks should be provided at all times.

During this period pregnant does are housed in large pens. Towards the end of pregnancy, individual does can be confined to pens where the kids are born. Where the floor is made of timber or concrete it is advantageous to use hay to make the doe more comfortable.

It is high recommended that goats are kept off the ground on slatted floors and not on a concrete floor as they do not drain properly, are uncomfortable and cold (see housing). After weaning, the does can be divided into two or three groups, and fed according to their condition. With small numbers, the animals can be hand fed individually. All does should, however, be exposed to a rising plane of nutrition, a process referred to as flushing in preparation for pregnancy. Flushing stimulates the number of ova shed, thus increasing the potential for more eggs to be fertisised and resulting in higher kidding percentages.

Excitement in does occurs periodically and is under endocrinal control. At periods of excitement the doe is said to be in heat or oestrus. Oestrus is brought about by ovarian activity under control of the anterior pituitary gland. In the tropics (i.e., EA) oestrus activity is greater than in temperate climates, indicating the effect of high temperature on the endocrine system. Indigenous goats tend to have continuous oestrus cycles, whilst exotic breeds tend not to have entirely continuous cycles.

The average length of oestrus cycle is 18 to 21 days but it can vary from 18 to 24 days. The presence of the male can trigger oestrus.

1. Continuous bleading
2. Wagging of the tail rhythmically from side to side
3. Redness and swelling of the vulva
4. Mucus discharge from the vulva
5. Mounting of other goats, and allowing mounting by others
6. A lack of interest in feeding
7. A drop in milk production in some lactating does.

Ovulation occurs 12 to 36 hours after the start of oestrus and mating should be arranged accordingly. There appears to be no obvious rhythm in sexual activity during pregnancy and the interval between heats during gestation cannot be predicted.

Planned breeding programmes yield the best results when the breeder considers the individual production characteristics in goats and how they can be passed on to offspring. The breeder must also be able to match these characteristics to consumer requirements.

Mating systems are descriptions of who mates with whom in the animal world. In simplest terms, definitions of mating systems are based on how many mates an individual acquires during the breeding season. There are two types of mating systems, inbreeding and outbreeding. Unless planned, inbreeding can occur over generations.

Inbreeding is the mating of individuals that are related. In the broad sense, all members of a breed are related. As a result, any seed stock producer is practicing some inbreeding. Therefore, generally the term inbreeding is reserved for the mating of animals that are more closely related than the average of the breed.

Inbreeding can have dramatic effects on a herd. Most animals carry undesirable genes that usually remain hidden unless the animal is inbred. An inbred individual is more likely to express undesirable genes, and hence, undesirable traits. Inbreeding does not create undesirable recessive genes, but it does tend to bring to light these unfavorable genetics. This leads to a decline in average productive performance called inbreeding depression.

Inbreeding is nearly unavoidable in herds since it is frequently difficult to find new breeding stocks that are not, at least partially, related to animals in an existing herd. Care should be taken to keep inbreeding at a fairly low level by avoiding mating of brothers with sisters or parents with their offspring. Close mating within small herds or family groups not only produce rapid inbreeding buildup and, hence, depression, but can produce random losses of desirable genes.

If inbreeding builds up, the first economic effect will be fewer offspring available to sell. In addition, the offspring will have poorer performance and will not be as attractive to customers interested in performance.

Inbreeding affects the rate of genetic improvement in several ways. There may be a small increase in heritability (pre-potency: the degree to which a sire or dam will pass his or her characteristics consistently). This is more than counteracted by the decline in selection intensity and loss of genetic variation. Selection intensity is a function of the proportion of sires and dam candidates that are actually selected. Selection will be less intense since more sires and heifers will be needed as replacements, and there will be fewer from which to choose. Furthermore, the variation will be less among the animals since inbreeding reduces intraline genetic variation.

Distinct objectives are essential to a breeding plan. The breeder must aim to improve productivity of meat, milk, fibre or skins or some combination of these. The definition of objectives concerning productivity from goats is related to the characteristics of the product and the characteristics of the goat. The latter include the following:

The first 2 characteristics are assessed simultaneously as the weight of kid weaned per unit of feed consumed by does.

Both quantity and quality must go together for efficient production. High growth rate and production of the maximum number of goats for slaughter should be associated with an acceptable distribution of fat i.e., sufficient to improve the quality of the meat but not so much as to have a low consumer preference.

The phenotypic expression of characteristics refers to the physical manifestation of a gene, i.e. the observable trait. Thus the length of ear in a goat is the phonotypic expression of the genes that regulate ear length. The breeder can only plan according to the trait observed. Repeatability and heritability are two kinds of observation that the breeder can use.

PredIctability: Involves repeatability and heritability.This refers to the permanence and constancy of a phenotype from one observation to the next and from parent to offspring respectively.

The genetic quality of goats in East Africa (EA) is often low and thus productivity is low. This is due to the inadequate identification of productive characteristics in individual breeds that could be exploited and selected for in order to increase productivity. Planned breeding is the exception rather than the norm in most of East Africa. Even where promist characteristics are identified, inadequate selection and the absence of a long term sustained effort mean that breeding practice is poor. Goat breeding in EA relies on substitution or modification and/or grading-up.

Substitution refers to the replacement of existing breeds with introduced breeds. This is usually a large scale operation and very expensive. This method is advantageous under the following circumstances:

It is rarely desireable to get rid of the existing population of indigenous goats. Native breeds are well adapted to their environment, have good disease resistance and high fertility. These qualities can be exploited in breeding plans. Large scale introduction is done in order to increase numbers, and to improve the quality of the indigenous breeds. In this way crossbreeds are substituted for the native breeds.

Grading-up is the genetic quality of indigenous breeds is probably the most popular and widely used herd improvement method in EA. This involves the importation of an improved breed. This breed is then used to produce increasing proportions of its characteristics in successive generations. It should be noted that there is a number of generations between the first cross and the grade does. The variation in the genotypes produced is quite considerable and necessitates culling to maintain uniformity of the herd.

Grading-up indigenous goats with one or more temperate breeds is common in EA. Likewise one or more dairy breeds have been used to grading-up indigenous goats for milk production. Probably the best example of upgradaed goats are the indigenous goats of EA with imported Swiss and German dairy goats.

It is pointless keeping a buck unless he is going to improve your herd. It takes up the same amount of space and eats the same amount of food as a quality goat. Alternatively, use a "rotation buck" or take your does to a quality buck on another farm.

Crossbreeding refers to the crossing or mating of two pure breeds, but the term is frequently extended to include the progeny of purebred sires and crossbred females. When two purebreds are used, characteristics of the first cross animal should show:

crossbreeding of goats is widely practised throughout EA, especially between indigenous goats and Toggenburg and French/German Alpine breeds for improved milk production.

Planned breeding requires an understanding of the characteristics in goats that are transmitted from generation to generation. It concerns the genetics of entire goat populations. One objective of animal breeding is to increase the frequencies of desireable genes so as to achieve the ideal genotype which will give the characteristics required in the population.

In practice, however, breeding for the ideal type is not easily realised. There is tremendous genetic variability inherent in individual breeds of goats. Most of the characteristics that are important to the animal are influenced by other factors as well as by the genes and are, therefore, highly susceptible to mainly environmental factors over which the breeder has no control.

Live weight at a given age, or milk yield per lactation are two characters of economic significance that can be manipulated by use of the quantitative data. Qualitative traits such as presence or absence of horns are also of some importance in animal breeding. In the Saaned breed of goats for example, the gene for polledness is associated with hermaphroditism and polled goats should be avoided in breeding programmes. Horn bucks are generally used.

Reproduction in goats as in other animals, is brought about by the fusion of two cells, one from the male and one from the female. These cells retain the characters of the parents; the chromosomes in the sex cells are constant and characteristic of the species. The chromosome number is 60 for goats and 54 for sheep. The chromosomes, found within the nuclei, contain the genes which control the characteristics of the individual.

Puberty in goats as in other farm livestock is the period when the animal becomes sexually mature. It preceeds adulthood, and is reached at an age which varies considerably from breed to breed and also among individuals within a breed. In goats, sexual maturity is reached quite early, but mating should be delayed to ensure that the dam is able to accommodate the foetus without having to compete with available nutrients for her own growth.

In S. Africa, it has been demonstrated that puberty in male Boer goats was reached at 157.5 days old (22.5 weeks) and counts of morphologically normal sperms rose from 36.5% to 89.8% in the 8th week.

Natural breeding cannot be accomplished until goats mate and reproduce. Bucks and does, therefore, must be brought together when they are considered to be sufficiently mature. Mating is also conditioned by various environmental factors, including nutritional state, ambient temperature and the use of artificial insemination (AI) (not readily available in EA). In bucks, libido or sexual excitement is exceptionall high, while does are more passive.

The appearance and method of presentation of the kid determines whether the doe needs any help. Abnormal presentation includes the following:

Whilst birth is a natural process it should be observed carefully since many births are multiple. Note: After delivery watch for the afterbirth. This should be removed and buried or burnt.

It is adviseable NOT to let the doe eat the afterbirth. A doe in distress must be given time to help herself before she is assited. It is important to ensure that ALL kids are removed from the womb of the doe.

There are 3 basic rules in successful kidding management:

Mortality is highest during the first week of life. Among single births losses tend to be highest among the heavier kids. In twins and multiple births the lighter kid is most susceptible. Weak kids are usually the result of difficult kidding or being allowed to catch cold after birth. Kid mortality can also be caused by milk fever, malpresentation, unsound udders, and death of the doe or accidents. Good management of the new born kid entails the following practices:

1. Tickle the tongue of the kid, this causes coughing by a reflex action which stimulates the respiratory system and clears the airways.
2. Place the kid near the mother who will begin to lick the young. Hold the kid if need be until this is done. If the kid appears to be cold you may have to assist by rubbing with a dry towel.
3. Check the teats of the dam to see that there is sufficient milk. Some does do not produce sufficient milk for some hours. It is essential that the kid sucks colostrums as soon as possible as this stimulates the gastrointestinal reflexes, and helps pass the muconium. If the kid has to be fed from a bottle ensure that the bottles and teats are properly sterilised before every feed.

Note: DO NOT be tempted to subsidise with cow's milk if this can be avoided.

When the kids are born they have to be managed so that the doe produces milk both for the needs of the kids and for domestic or commercial purposes (see feeding kids).

At birth, colostrums is the first food of the kids and should be given for 3 days. Colostrum stimulates the alimentary system and confers an initial immunity to disease on the kids. With dairy goats the kids are either bottle or pan fed (not recommended if at all possible). In either case nipples, pans and containers must be thoroughly cleansed before every feed. Lukewarm milk should be fed using 0.9 - 1 litre spread over four feeds. From 4 weeks to weaning the kids should be allowed to feed three times a day. If the kids are separated from the mother it is essential that the farm ensures that they area receiving sufficient milk. Under feeding will result in stunted youngsters who will grow into weak adults.

Colostrum (the first milk produced by the doe) is thick, yellow and custardy in appearance. It is vitally important as it supplies essential minerals, vitamins and antibodies to the newborn kid and acts as a laxative which clears the digestive system of meconium. The first excretia of kids is black (meconium) but changes once milk is digested, and turns yellow.

The best results are achieved if kids are left with their mother for the first month. This will ensure a healthy well grown youngster. If the kid is to be restrained from suckling, where possible do not be tempted to supplement with cows milk. If kids are restrained it is essential that they are allowed to suckle sufficiently at least three times per day to satisfy them in order that their growth is not impaired. In the event of triples, one kid (the smallest) may have to be bottle fed with goat milk from a bottle. The bottles MUST be sterilised between feeds to avoid gastrointestinal infections. If small kids are done properly, their reduced birth weight should be insignificant and they will have caught up with their siblings by three months.

Newborn kids should be fed on colostrum within 24 hours and should be with the doe and allowed to suckle as much as they need. After one week: - kids should be provided with small quantities of good clean feed e.g. sweet potato vines, tree legume leaves or natural tree leaves. Kids should continue with milk for the first three weeks and thereafter be allowed to feed on milk combined with fresh fodder up to 3-4 month. Provide fodder and water to kids all the time to enable them learn to eat gradually. A poor start will affect the future productivity of that kid when it grows up to adult.

For good management a farmer should keep the following simple records (Use record sheet for cows).

It is very important to keep breeding records and, where possible, to register the goats with the Kenya Stud Book. It is not adviseable to cross animals to their siblings or parents. This can lead to a weakened offspring and, in some case, birth abnormalities.

in the absence of a weighing scale the weight of a goat can be measured by measuring the chest circumference (girth) right behind the front legs

Heart girth in cm and the corresponding estimated weight in kilos are given below:

The house must be of adequate size for the goat to lie down and walk around. It must also be of adequate size for a doe to be comfortable with her kid for the first month. In zero grazing situations the exercise pen must be big enough for the goat to move around freely and, where there are young stock, there should be obstacles for them to play on; things such as an old tyres, large stones etc can be placed in the kid pens for their play and exercise area. Play and exercise is essential for strong bones and good muscle development. If goats are kept in areas that are too small they will become bored, depressed and it will affect their milk production. Stressed animals are less resistant to diseases and are less productive than happy healthy animals.