Transcript Intro Small Ruminants

John Thompson
Extension Agent
VCE Fluvanna
[email protected]; 591-1950
Adapted from: SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
[email protected] – www.sheepandgoat.com
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Sec. 4-2. Definitions.
Miniature goat means a goat weighing less
than one hundred (100) pounds, commonly
known as pygmy, dwarf or miniature goats.
Sec. 4-8. Fowl at large.
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit
any chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or other
fowl belonging to him to go at large in the
city; except, that homing pigeons may be
released for return to their cote without
violating this section
(11-20-06(2))
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Sec. 4-9. Keeping hogs, goats and sheep.
(a) No hogs, goats (other than miniature
goats) or sheep shall be kept in the city
except for immediate shipment or slaughter.
(b) Miniature goats may be kept within any
residential zoning district in the city, subject
to the following:
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(1) Males must be neutered;
(2) Goats must be dehorned;
(3) No more than three (3) miniature goats
may be kept at the same time on the same
property, except that nursing off-spring may
be kept on the property until the age of
twelve (12) weeks, and shall not be included
in the number of goats allowed.
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Introduction
Sheep and goat
enterprises
Info to raise
sheep/goats
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Monogastric
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Ruminant
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Hind-gut fermenter
◦ Simple stomach
◦ Pigs and poultry (and people)
◦ Cud-chewing
◦ 4 compartment stomach.
- Cows, sheep, and goats
◦ Pseudo-ruminant
(3 compartment stomach)
- Alpacas and llamas
◦ Fermentation occurs in the
caecum and/or large intestine
◦ Horses and rabbits
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Economic
◦ Profit
◦ Tax advantages
Lifestyle
 Self-sufficiency
produce own food,
fiber
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Landscape management
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Less acreage required
Less investment
Ease of handling
Multi-purpose
Reproductive efficiency
Grazing behavior
Niche demand for
products
Complement other farm
enterprises
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Small industry.
Lack of infrastructure.
Lack of mainstream
demand for products.
Fencing
requirements.
Labor requirements.
Predator risk.
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Similar production
practices and inputs.
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Same diseases.
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Similar niche and ethnic
demand for products.
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Similar constraints to
production: the 3 P’s.
◦ Prices
◦ Predators
◦ Parasites
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Grazer
Prefer forbs
Graze close to ground
Grow faster
Produce better milk
More genetic diversity
Strong flocking instinct
and group mentality
Traditional enterprise
SHEEP
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Browser
Prefer shrubs
Top-down grazer
Grow slow
Produce more milk
Less genetic diversity
Curious and
independent
New and growing
industry
GOATS
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Meat
Dairy
Fiber
Landscape management
Agri-tourism
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Primary income is
from the sale of milk,
cheese, and/or other
dairy products.
In Virginia, operation
must be certified
grade A to sell food
products.
Usually requires own
product development
and marketing.
Feed
 Fencing
 Housing and
shelter
 Feeders
 Watering system
 Labor
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Pasture and browse
Hay
Grain
Alternative feedstuffs
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Purpose
◦ To keep livestock
contained
◦ To keep predators out
◦ To control grazing and
manage livestock
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Three kinds
1. Perimeter or boundary
2. Interior or cross
3. Heavy use areas
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Multi-strand, hightensile, electric.
Woven wire with extra
barbed and electric
offset wires.
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Barbed wire
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Adapt existing fences.
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Permanent
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Semi-permanent
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Temporary, electric
◦ Smooth wire
◦ Polywire, tape, or rope
◦ Electric netting
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Outdoor lots
Holding areas
Working corrals
Net wire
Metal gates
Solid panels
Livestock panels
Non-electric
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Purpose
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Needs vary by
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Animal management
Isolation area
Feed storage
Equipment storage
Human comfort
◦ Climate
◦ Production system
◦ Timing of lambing and
kidding
◦ Availability of natural
shelter.
◦ Personal preference
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Maybe not, but if they have access to it, they will
usually use it.
They “appreciate” protection from bad weather.
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Ample feed storage
protects your investment
in feed and allows you to
make bulk purchases.
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Annual hay requirements
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Hay storage
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◦ ¼ to ⅓ ton per animal
◦ 180 to 240 ft3 per ton
Uncovered hay
deteriorates rapidly in
quality.
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Hand
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Automatic waterer
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Buckets
Troughs
Tanks
Tubs
Possible cost share from
NRCS (EQUIP program)
for pasture watering
systems.
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Daily care of animals
Twice daily milking
Annual shearing
Pasture management
Lambing and kidding
Parasite control
Hoof trimming
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ADGA recognized
◦ Swiss
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Saanen
Saanen
Alpine
Toggenburg
Oberhasli
Alpine
◦ Nubian
◦ La Mancha
◦ Nigerian Dwarf
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Other
◦ Sable
(colored Saanens)
◦ Golden Guernsey
◦ Mini dairy goats
Toggenbur
g
Nubian
Oberhasli
La Mancha
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Pygmy (meat)
Nigerian Dwarf (dairy)
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Kinder
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Pygmy x Nubian
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Mini Silky
Myotonic x Nigerian Dwarf ?
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Mini dairy goats
Nigerian Dwarf x standard dairy
Pygmy
Nigerian
Dwarf
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Get pastures and
facilities ready
before buying your
first sheep or goats.
Start small and
gradually increase
size of herd.
Start with healthy
animals.
◦ Ewe lambs/doelings
vs. mature females.
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Ram and buck?!
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Reputable breeders
Dispersal sales
Performance and production sales
Consignment sales
Local salebarn
Free