Goats in Zambia are one of the
least appreciated and under-performing small stock with probably the most
potential for improvement.
They can generally survive off
the existing vegetation. They are a particularly useful animal to keep on areas
that cannot be made arable, are rocky or with steep slopes.
The manure is
extremely useful for gardens and crop fields.
They are widely kept in almost
all rural areas and to a large extent serve as a small savings account with
interest particularly for women.
When times are good goats are
bought for keeping and when hard times come, some may be sold to buy food or
school requirements for children.
Large-scale commercial goat production is
not common but this may change as the market and the prices are rapidly
improving and it is becoming a much-desired food.
The market for goat milk is
yet undeveloped, but there is considerable potential for both milk and milk
products.
The potential production of
the best goats is four offspring per year and a good female can reach between
30 and 35 offspring in a lifetime. The best growing offspring can reach an
adult weight of 20kg or more in a year and reproduce at one year of age. Good
breeds can reach 45 to 60kg for adult females and 60 to 75kg for males.
However, the average goat
produces far less. Many have single births not twins. Many have long intervals
between births. Some reach three years of age before producing their first
offspring.
Diseases are numerous, deaths are frequent and theft is a chronic problem. Average weights of unimproved village goats are in the 20 to 25kg range.
The potential for improvement
is therefore enormous.
The reproductive rate can be
doubled, the growth rate can be doubled, the death rate can be halved through
improved management and crossing with improved breeds. Dealing more effectively
with theft requires some prioritisation at national level but is not impossible
to achieve.
The management factors
required are:
- Parasite control (internal and external).
- Disease prevention and treatment.
- A good male and selection of females based on performance.
- Castration of non-breeding males.
- Appropriate supplementation of salt, minerals and feed when and where required.
- Management of grazing and browsing areas.
- Record keeping.
I will go into these in more
detail in later posts.
by Ruth Henson
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