Goat rearing system in south asia

REARING SYSTEM OF SHEEP AND GOAT IN India/ SOUTH ASIAN AREA

Rearing of sheep and goat are mostly integrated with crop agriculture in Bangladesh.

Backyard farming is prominent where youngs are such by the lactating does and little care is taken regarding the housing, feeding, care and other management.

However the common system of rearing goats :

a)  Backyard rearing 

1. Goats and Sheep are reared with care. Young are sucked by the does.

2. Little bedding is provided during winter and Rainy season.

3. Little concentrate feed (home produced) is given.

4. Tethering is common for the adults.

5. Lambs/kids are kept free up to weaning and a few months after weaning(before 5 month)

6. Locally available bucks are used for breeding. There is no choice for breeding buck (commonly).

7. Goats and sheep are allowed for free ranging during intercropping and after flood/rains where the low laying areas are free.

8. Roadsides are commonly used for grazing.

9. Veterinary care are not done until and unless required.

10. Vaccination is not generally done.

b)  Nomadic system rearing

Where the herd / flock is allowed to graze breed freely in the field. Nomads change their temporary place / residence time to time with the availability of grazing facility. In Bangladesh there is no such scope to practice nomadic rearing.

c)  Extensive system rearing

1. In this system animals are reared in larger area and the number of animals are also big. Generally when large scale of farming is carried out extensive is there. The farm possesses an extensive ground both for housing and grazing.

2. Where goats are ranged freely, supplementary concentrates are fed, when pasture is of poor quality,  goats and ewes are in advance pregnancy.

3. Selective breeding is done.

4. Veterinary care is taken. Vaccination is performed routinely.

5. Housing provided with due care and requirement.

6. Bedding is given when needed.

In Bangladesh this system is very uncommon other than in some special areas.

d)  Intensive system rearing

Though the word “ intensive rearing” is used to mean rearing sheep and goat in fulltime housing. This system is not practiced in Bangladesh. However in this system housing, breeding and other care and management are performed in full control of the farmer and noticed more profitable.

e)  Semi- intensive system rearing (Semi-extensive)

1. Under this system of rearing sheep and goat, the animals are reared in such a condition when they are allowed for grazing long time in the pasture/ grazing. Supplementary concentrates are allow.

2. Breeding is done in both selective and random way.

3. Veterinary care and vaccination are done in a moderate way.

4. The sheep and goat are sometimes allowed to graze with other animals like, cattle, and buffalo and even housed together with them.

In Bangladesh in costal areas and in northern part of the country, many farmers follow this system.

f)  Tethering system rearing: Tethering are practiced in the tropics area. Two systems are common -

1.  Tied to a single peg: Goats are tied by a rope. The length of the rope represents the area available  for grazing and browsing  are usually is quite short 3-5 m in length. By shifting  the peg or choosing a different  free or rest free access to a fresh grazing area is provided.

2. Tied to a ring on a wire between  two peg: A rope is tied to a ring which slides on a wire about 3 m long in between two pegs. A goat tied to this ring can move along parallel to the wire on either side. This method provides a rectangular area for grazing.

Water is provided when the goats are shifted to shed at night. Very little or no concentrates, salts or mineral bricks are provided. Occasionally supplements such as households scraps.  Small qualities of grains and their by product are given.

The main reasons for using this system is that the goat are closely controlled.

Goats are generally allowing them to graze mainly surrounding the house or open fields and one left tethered with a short rope from morning to evening.