Conditioning Goats:

[mikey]

there are very few goat enterprises that are analagous to beef cattle feed lots.The reasons are several.
1)-the market does not want fat goats.
2)-goats are not very efficient in converting high energy feeds to body weight gains.
3)-the likely cost benefit ratio is such that it would be seldom profitable.
There are exceptions.Lightweight weanling goats that are in poor condition due to poor nutrition or parasite load could possibly be put through a form of feed lotting which might be called conditioning.To reduce costs and avoid problems commonly associated with animal density,a controlled grazing scheme,with no or limited grain might be economically visable.Experienced stockmen know the principle and practice of compensatory gain,a more mature animal that has been nutritionally deprived and has a low weight to frame ratio can,if healthy, make a very rapid and efficient gains for a short while prior to beginning fat deposition.Some prodecers with the right blend of feed and other resources might make a fair amount on this type of conditioning program.

[benedict]

hello mr. mikey.. im a student from los banos laguna.. ans i want to learn more about goat raising.. i saw this web site that i know can help me.. i just want to ask if where can i get a good quality buck and doe? i hope that you will answer my few question.. thanks and god bless..

[mikey]

Benedict,hi,nice to meet you,feel free to ask any question you wish and will try my hardest to help you or someone will help answer your question(s).First,I am not sure where you live Banos Laguna,if you could tell me your region and name of your island,would be helpful to me trying to find a farm near you,the next question you should ask yourself,what kind of goat business do you wish to start.
meat
milk/meat
breeders
The next question is how much can you afford,if you can afford a good breeding buck,this is probably the best way to start,breed to some native does.A Anglo Nubian buck might the the best way to start in the goat business,breed him to native does and you will have some f1 anglos x native.One can always buy better bucks later on once you gain some experience.One should have the feed available,buy only enough goats that you can afford to feed.
Hope this is of some help to you:
mikey region 7

[benedict]

im from los baños laguna, region 4.. i want to breed and the meat production of the goat.. if i buy an anglo mr. mikey how much it is cost? im affraid i cant buy high priced goat because im only a student.. hope you can help me find some farm near to me so that i can buy a quality goat that i can start on.. thanks and god bless..

[mikey]

Benedict,good quality goats (fullbloods) are not cheap too buy,may be you should consider getting  some natives and starting from there.The native is also a meat type goat,small but still a meat goat.Are there any people around your place that raise native goats that you could look at?always better to buy goats close to ones own place,simular feeds.I will look for some farms in region 4 and see what I can find and pm you with the information.I believe that it is wiser to start small and slow,gain some experience then buy better bucks (sires),nothing hurts the pocket book more than to loose an expensive animal.
Good Farming To You:
mikey