RE:
GOAT NEWS
DATE:
26TH JUNE 03
RANGELAND
GOATS
Last week we gave a run down on where the Feral or as we now like to call it the Rangeland Goat came from and a little on their make up. For those who are thinking of getting into Goats, following are a few ideas on how and why to get into them with the use of Rangeland Goats.
The Australian Rangeland Goat has been selected by nature itself over a long period of time as a survivor in various conditions and terrains.
As with most animals in a similar environment they are early maturing with the females much smaller than the males. They reach puberty at an early age, which is in the females based mainly on body weight.
The kids are born with a smaller body weight than we expect from our normal Agricultural Goats but because of the good milk production and quickly learnt survival techniques they survive and grow rapidly over the first few weeks. When weaned they will need to mature on a variety of grasses and shrubs which on the main are not very palatable or high in protein.
If bringing Rangeland Goats into the Agricultural areas you will firstly need to check with your local APB to make sure that you are in an area, which is approved for their entry. They must be domesticated in an approved depot on station or sent to an Agricultural property with the facilities to do the domestication process. They can be tagged on station with tag showing the property of origin brand or alternatively they must be tagged within seven days on arrival at their Agricultural destination.
The best time to take delivery is in the milder summer months as cold southern winter months can be a disaster to their health and survival.
You will need to make sure they have been treated for internal and external parasites. It is recommended that all treatments, tagging and sorting be done at once so you can get them out of the more stressful yards into the less stressful paddock situation as soon as possible.
One of the worst problems with bringing Rangelands into the Agricultural environment is coccidiosis, which can take a heavy toll on them. It may pay to treat them for this as soon as they arrive with a treatment in their drinking water. You will need to see your local veterinarian for information on the products available.
Although they may have been domesticated to a point by the pastoralists it is a good idea to electrify a smaller type paddock to teach them to respect an electric wire. This can easily be done by placing a single hot wire 30cms from the ground and a similar distance away from the existing sheep type fabricated fence. They will soon learn not to go anywhere near a fence. If there are some which will not stay behind the fencing but are continually getting out then the best place for them is the abattoirs.
Good pasture hay fed out in racks so it stays dry will keep them contented. Lupins, some other grain or pellets fed out every second or third day will have them quiet within a few weeks. To get them to take to grain mix it with rough-cut chaff for the first few feeds until they are finishing the grain. Remember like all Goats don't feed too much to start with as they are prone to grain poisoning and pulpy kidney.
You will most probably find that soon after your Rangelands arrive you will get a few kids but this should not distract you from putting your bucks in for the normal mating period in February/March/April, so as to start your breeding program.
For further details contact Mick
Doak on Mb 0427006159 or Ah Ph/Fax 93093225 or Email: doakmick@bigpond.com.au
·50 Saanan Does, unregistered, 6 to 24 mo, unmated Price $40.00 each
·Boer Bucks in all areas, Commercial & Stud types Prices From $250 to $1000 ea.