How to Rear Goats in the Tropics

Goats are some of the most adaptable domesticated animals in the world. First herded over 9,000 years ago, these creatures can successfully inhabit numerous environments. In fact, one third of all of the worlds goats can be found in tropical regions of Africa, where the animal is herded for its milk and slaughter. Compared to larger husbandry animals, goats offer many advantages. They are smaller, easier to feed, can be controlled by children, have high fertility rates and can survive in areas of sleeping sickness.

Things You'll Need

  • Land
  • Hog wire fencing
  • Steel posts
  • Railroad ties
  • Tube gates
  • Shed
  • Hog panel
  • Clean water
  • Hay
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Erect a fence at least 5 feet high surrounding your land. Hog wire is recommended as the best fencing. Use steel T-posts and railroad ties for corner posts. Sturdy tube gates with hog panel are best as goats or known to stand on gates.

    • 2

      Buy or build a shed that can protect the goats from weather and wind. The shed should be large enough so that there is 15 square feet available for every adult goat.

    • 3

      Purchase goat from recommended breeder, 4-H club, or goat ranch. Identify for health problems such as lice and check goat's health and immunization records from the owner. Goats can be obtained at an auction, though the process is not recommended because of the inability to vet check the animal or owner. Purchase at least one (billy goat) male and female capable of reproducing.

    • 4

      Supply cool, clean water. Each goat needs between 3 and 8 liters a day. Goats need less water in moist climates like the tropics.

    • 5

      Feed goats hay if you plan to use their milk. Healthy goats should eat a variety of food that supplies them protein, fat, carbohydrates and essential vitamins. In addition to hay, make sure that the land contains or you supply some of the following: tubers, bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, roots, cotton, sunflower, cabbages, crushed oil seeds, fishmeal, silage or straw. Goats can also feed on a variety of grains and vegetables as well as molasses for energy.

    • 6

      Place salt in carved holes of a bamboo stick or make sure a salt lick exists on your land. Healthy goats need salt and calcium, among other trace minerals.

    • 7

      Breed your goats. At four months old, billy goats are able to service female goats -- 20 is the maximum number of mates per male. Billy goats will service females in heat, which occurs every 17 to 21 days. When goats give birth, which can be ascertained by the enlarged udder, make sure surrounding area is quiet and clean.

    • 8

      Help feed newborns (kids) of unaccepting mothers ( often of poor health) by holding mother still so it can nurse or placing it with an accepting mother. Detect kids that haven't been properly feeding by noticing a lack of growth or energy.