Goat proof barns, pens to control curious animals
Part of your preventative healthcare needs to focus on the safety of the physical environment, according to a dairy goat farming website.
Shelter is one of the first considerations when contemplating the purchase of a doe, according to the New Zealand Dairy Goat Breeders Association.
Goats cannot be expected to produce their best when they have to contend with nature's elements. Without shelter and good food, it means they have to utilise more of what they eat to keep themselves warm.
Housing does not present a problem, as long as it is rain and draughtproof, the simplest of shelters is much appreciated in cold, wet weather. Shelter ranging from an oversized box to the most elaborate of barns can be within the scope of everyone - it is all a matter of taste, economy and/or pride, says the association.
When the does or buck is tethered, and he or she has to be shifted frequently, a large box or a discarded water tank is the ideal shelter, as it is easily moved from place to place.
"Do not forget to place a layer of hay on the bottom of the box to keep [them] warm or dry. If using an old tank, it is much better to make a slatted platform for sleepingon, as any moisture tends to run to the bottom and remain there. Place a block or log either side to prevent the tank from rolling," it says.
If considering a barn, there are one or two points to remember: Ease of cleaning out is of main importance. There is nothing more tiring than having to walk and manoeuvre unnecessarily. Access to feeding racks when feeding out hay or greens is another point to bear in mind.
It is much easier to feed without having to go into the shed each time, especially when there are several does.
Flooring can be concrete, wood, asphalt or earth, but whichever method is used, litter in some form must be provided. Sprinkling the floor with lime after each clean out will keep the shed smelling slean and sweet, and discourage flies from breeding in the litter.
Inside sheds, slatted platforms or boxes with slatted tops, can be used for sleeping so that droppings can be collected and used for the garden.
Tributes have flowed in from around the country for mid-Canterbury farming leader Chris Allen who died in a tragic accident on his farm near Ashburton.
A marketing expert says it’s unlikely that the recent outbreak of avian influenza on an Otago poultry farm will have a significant impact on New Zealand’s trade relationships.
The latest Ministry for Primary Industries report on the state of the primary sector shows that things are starting to look up after a rough 2023-24 season.
Major rural lenders are welcoming a call by farmers for the Commerce Commission to investigate their net-zero emissions target.
A collaborative effort between hunters, landowners, and conservation organisations has seen the successful removal of 12,935 wild goats during the second annual National Competition.
New Zealand’s horticulture sector is projected to reach a record $8 billion by 30 June 2025.
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