Goat Farming Tips

Biosecurity

Dear all
We all take different precautionary measures to protect our wealth. Our farm animals are also our wealth  & we must protect them  against diseases. The measure we adopt to protect our farm animals from disease are called Biosecurity. It is a planned integrated approach to reduce disease incidence in a farm. Here are some important biosecurity measures for sheep/goat farm
1-   Control cat, dog ,rodent & insect population inside farm premises as they carry & spread diseases.  Cats should be kept away from sheep & goats  as they are major carrier of toxoplasma which causes  abortion .
2-   Limit visitors into your farm as  disease causing organisms enter farm through their shoes sole. Visitors must disinfect their shoes in antiseptic foot bath before entering in to the farm.
3-   Limit entry of vehicles in to your farm as disease causing organisms enter farm through contaminated  tyre  of the wheel. Disinfect tyres of vehicle entering in to your farm by spraying  a disinfectant liquid.
4-   Feed of sheep & goat should not be moldy. If moldy feed is found in a farm it should be buried.
5-   Deworm your animals at regular interval  after faecal sample examination
6-   Vaccinate your animals against contagious diseases 
7-    Do not mix sick animals with healthy animals. Isolate sick animals in a separate pen.
8-   In case of abortion in ewe/Doe Remove the  dead fetus & placenta immediately  & burry it. The lambing/kidding area should be disinfected with an  antiseptic lotion.
9-   Do not mix newly purchased animals with other farm animals, New animals should be housed separately for 21 days to one month & watched for presence of disease. Trim the feet of newly purchased animals & treat it locally with 10% zinc sulphate.
10-   Do not mix your animals with animals of other farm.
11-   Do not share  your farm equipments with other farmers
12-   Disinfect farm equipments before sharing if it is unavoidable 
13-   Do not allow ewe/doe of other farms to breed with buck/Ram of your farm &  vice versa.
14-   Avoid taking your animals to shows/exhibitions as there is increased chance infection in shows/exhibitions
15-   Conduct post mortem examination by a veterinarian In case of death of a farm animal .If death is due to any  contagious disease  take preventive measures accordingly in consultation  with the Vet.
By taking these biosecurity measures you can reduce disease incidence in your farm & maximize your profit.          Dr.A.K.Kar

Deworming In Sheep & Goats

Dear All
Sheep & goats are  susceptible to worm infection due to their grazing habitat. Deworming is one most important disease prevention measures for them.  Internal  Parasites harbours  in alimentary track & other internal organs(liver ,bile duct etc.) of sheep &  goats. They suck blood , digested nutrients ,damage tissue  & make animals week , emaciated. Helminthes parasites of sheep & goats can be broadly divided in to three Categories Round Worms ,Flukes & Tape Worms. Out of the these  Barber pole worm (Haemonchus) a type of round worm   , is the  most important & dangerous  internal parasites of sheep & goats. In heavy worm infestation animal may die without any symptoms in some other cases death occurs after diarrhea & colic. Worm infestation is more after rainy season. You can follow the following principles for  deworming of your flocks.
i.   Randomly collect fecal sample of 10% animals get it examined to find the parasitic load
ii.   Choose appropriate dewormer in consultation with a veterinarian
iii.   Use appropriate dose (under dose may create drug resistance & over dose may kill your animals) 
iv.    Deworm your animals at least twice in a year.
v.   The first deworming should be conducted before rainy season in the month of June & July. Repeat drenching of drug on 21st day of first deworming .
vi.   The second deworming should be conducted  after rainy season in the month of October.
vii.   Use a drenching gun/ syringe for effective drug delivery
viii.   Conduct fecal sample examination on 10th day of deworming to know the effectiveness of the drug.
ix.   Change  deworming drug every time to prevent drug resistance.
x.   Do not sell your  dewormed animals during  withdrawal period 
                                                                                                  DR.A.K.KAR

Control of coccidiosis in sheep & goat

Dear All
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of sheep & goats .This disease is caused by single cell protozoa Emeria sp .The parasite remains  in small intestine & damage  lining of small intestine. This parasite affects lambs & kids  from 2-6 months of age. Affected lambs and kids suffer from diarrhea stained with blood & mucus. Death occurs in kids & lambs due to dehydration. Some animals do not show any symptoms externally but there is stunted growth. Outbreaks of coccidiosis occurs due to over crowding & poor sanitation. You can follow to following steps to prevent coccidiosis in your farm
1-   Provide adequate floor space to sheep & goats as over crowding is a major cause of the disease
2-   Prevent contamination of feed & water  as adult  sheep & goats are carriers of the parasite. They  shed oocyst  in their feces which is the major source of infection for  kids and lambs.
3-   Preventive dose of coccidiostat can be given to given to kids and lambs in consultation with a veterinarian. Coccidiostart can be mixed with feed as a preventive metod.
4-   Treat the infected animals with  anti coccidial drugs as per prescription of the veterinarian
5-   In case of outbreak clean & disinfect pen daily this will reduce source of infection
                                                                            Dr.A.K.Kar

Control of external parasites in sheep & goats

Dear All
External parasites like Tick, Lice. Mite & fleas & flies reduce profit  & cause economic loss of sheep & goat farmer .They cause following losses to the farmer.
1-They suck blood from animals causing ill health & anemia.
2-They damage the skin for which skin becomes unsuitable for leather & its value reduces greatly.
3-Skin injury causes irritation & discomfort to animals
4-There is loss of wool in case of sheep.
5-They transmit disease 
External parasites can be controlled by Dipping or spraying with insecticides & by good managemental practices. Three to four dipping or spraying is essential every year  for control of these parasites.
The following insecticides are mostly used for control of ecto parasites.
1-Deltametherine (Butox) 2ml/litter of water  Spray or dip
2-Cypermethrin (Ektomin. Cyprol, Tikkil, Tik-out, Pektocide) 1 ml/litter of water for spray or dip. (for flies 5ml/litter animal dip, For spraying animal house 20ml/liter of water is used)
Ivermectin injection (Neomec, Ivomec, Ivectin, Avertin) is also used as sub coetaneous injection at the dose of 0.5ml/25 Kg body weight
Doramectin (Dectomax) 1ml/33Kg Body weight can be used as intramuscular injection.
Precautions:-
1-Read all manufacture warnings & instructions before using insecticide
2-Provide adequate drinking water before Dipping else animal may drink insecticide poisoned water
3-Do not use insecticides on sick, weak animals or animal with damaged skin.
4- Do not use insecticides in kids and lambs up to 6 months age
5-Conduct dipping/Spraying in morning hours 
6-In case of poisoning symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment Dr.A.K.Kar

Vaccination

Dear All
Vaccination is one import disease prevention measure. Many fatal diseases of sheep & goats can be prevented by timely vaccination. It is the cheapest method of disease control .Vaccination increases immunity of the animal against disease for which they do not suffer from disease even after entry of disease coursing organisms in to the body. It also reduces economic losses associated with illness of animal. I am giving below vaccination schedule for sheep & goats
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE(FMD):-This viral disease can be prevented by vaccination. First vaccination for FMD is done at 3-4 months age. Booster vaccine is given four months after first  vaccine .This vaccine should be repeated  every six months. Oil adjuvant FMD vaccine can provide  immunity up to one year.
PPR :-(Goat Plague or Peste des Petits Ruminants)  This is a viral disease & is highly fatal. This is the most important disease of sheep & goats as It results in large scale mortality. This disease can be prevented by vaccination. First vaccination is done at four months age & is repeated every 4th Year.
GOAT POX –Vaccination for this viral disease is done at 3-5 months of age .A booster vaccination is given to goats after 3 weeks of first vaccination. Repetition of vaccination is done every year.
SHEEP POX :- Sheep are vaccinated at 3 months of age against the disease. Repetition of vaccination is done every year.
ENTEROTOXAEMIA :- Sheep are more prone to this bacterial disease. First vaccination against the disease is done at 3-4 months age for both sheep & goats. Booster vaccination is done after 15-21days of first vaccination. . Repetition of vaccination is done every year.
HS( Hemorrhagic septicemia):-This is an acute bacterial Disease of sheep & goats. First vaccination against the disease is done at 3-6 months of age & is repeated annually .Vaccination against HS should be done before onset of monsoon.
ANTHRAX :-This is a fatal zoonotic disease of sheep & goats. This disease can spread from animal to man. Vaccination against this disease is done only in endemic areas. First vaccination is done at 4-6 months age & is repeated annually.
                                                                                           DR.A.K.KAR

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