Port Blair, June 08: In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, majority of the farmers practice semi intensive system of rearing.This method of rearingmakes goat susceptible to inclement weather conditions.For sustainable goat production, farmers should follow the scientific method of practices as mentioned below.
• Do not allow the goat for grazing during rain. Consider intensive system of management in rainy season.
• Maintain warm environment inside the shelter by burning fire wood with coconut husk/ neem leaves/vitextrifolia.
• Consider constructing a simple shelter for goats from locally available material preferably with elevated, slatted floor. This design protect goat from rain, keeps hooves dry, allow air movement and reduce accumulation of urine and faeces.
• Store the feed in moisture proof stores to avoid fungal growth, especially aflatoxins.
• Trim overgrown hoof to prevent injury. Dip the hooves in copper sulphate solution to make them hard and prevent cracking and foot rot. This can be done once in a year before onset of rain.
• Regular and strictexamination of goat faeces isadvisable during rainy season. Administer dewormer under the supervision of registered veterinary practitioner. Avoid frequent use of prophylactic treatment to guard against anthelmintic resistance.
• The farmer must give serious consideration to above said points for profitable goat production.
The advisory has been issued with the guidance of Dr. B. Augustine Jerard, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair; Dr. A. Kundu, HoD, ASD, ICAR-CIARI and Incharge, KVK, Nimbudera in public interest under the project on “BIOTECH KISAN”, DBT, India. For more information farmers may contact Animal Science Section, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nimbudera/ Nicobar, ICAR-CIARI/ Biotech Kisan Hub, Animal Science Division, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.
