An brief intro to small ruminants

1. An brief intro to small ruminants John ThompsonExtension AgentVCE Fluvannajthomp75@vt.edu; 591-1950 Adapted from: SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centersschoen@umd.edu – www.sheepandgoat.com

2. Charlottesville Ordinance! • Sec. 4-2.  Definitions. • Miniature goat  means a goat weighing less than one hundred (100) pounds, commonly known as pygmy, dwarf or miniature goats. • Sec. 4-8.  Fowl at large. • It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or other fowl belonging to him to go at large in the city; except, that homing pigeons may be released for return to their cote without violating this section • (11-20-06(2))

3. 2-3 • Sec. 4-9.  Keeping hogs, goats and sheep. •  (a)   No hogs, goats (other than miniature goats) or sheep shall be kept in the city except for immediate shipment or slaughter. • (b)   Miniature goats may be kept within any residential zoning district in the city, subject to the following:

4. 3 of 3 • (1)   Males must be neutered; • (2)   Goats must be dehorned; • (3)   No more than three (3) miniature goats may be kept at the same time on the same property, except that nursing off-spring may be kept on the property until the age of twelve (12) weeks, and shall not be included in the number of goats allowed.

5. Presentation topics • Introduction • Sheep and goat enterprises • Info to raise sheep/goats

6. Classification of farm livestockBy their digestive systems • Monogastric • Simple stomach • Pigs and poultry (and people) • Ruminant • Cud-chewing • 4 compartment stomach.- Cows, sheep, and goats • Pseudo-ruminant (3 compartment stomach)- Alpacas and llamas • Hind-gut fermenter • Fermentation occurs in the caecum and/or large intestine • Horses and rabbits

7. Why raise sheep and/or goats? • Economic • Profit • Tax advantages • Lifestyle • Self-sufficiency produce own food, fiber • Landscape management

8. Pros and cons: PROS • Less acreage required • Less investment • Ease of handling • Multi-purpose • Reproductive efficiency • Grazing behavior • Niche demand for products • Complement other farm enterprises

9. Pros and cons: CONS • Small industry. • Lack of infrastructure. • Lack of mainstream demand for products. • Fencing requirements. • Labor requirements. • Predator risk.

10. Sheep vs. goatsMore similarities than differences • Similar production practices and inputs. • Same diseases. • Similar niche and ethnic demand for products. • Similar constraints to production: the 3 P’s. • Prices • Predators • Parasites

11. Differences • Grazer • Prefer forbs • Graze close to ground • Grow faster • Produce better milk • More genetic diversity • Strong flocking instinct and group mentality • Traditional enterprise • Browser • Prefer shrubs • Top-down grazer • Grow slow • Produce more milk • Less genetic diversity • Curious and independent • New and growing industry SHEEP GOATS

12. Sheep and goat enterprises • Meat • Dairy • Fiber • Landscape management • Agri-tourism

13. Dairy production • Primary income is from the sale of milk, cheese, and/or other dairy products. • In Virginia, operation must be certified grade A to sell food products. • Usually requires own product development and marketing.

14. What do you need to raise sheep and goats? • Feed • Fencing • Housing and shelter • Feeders • Watering system • Labor

15. Feed resourceThe largest cost associated with raising livestock is feed. • Pasture and browse • Hay • Grain • Alternative feedstuffs

16. Fencing • Purpose • To keep livestock contained • To keep predators out • To control grazing and manage livestock • Three kinds • Perimeter or boundary • Interior or cross • Heavy use areas

17. Perimeter fencingYour first line of defense against predators. • Multi-strand, high-tensile, electric. • Woven wire with extra barbed and electric offset wires. • Barbed wire • Adapt existing fences.

18. Interior fencingFor rotational grazing and animal management. • Permanent • Semi-permanent • Temporary, electric • Smooth wire • Polywire, tape, or rope • Electric netting

19. Heavy use areas • Outdoor lots • Holding areas • Working corrals • Net wire • Metal gates • Solid panels • Livestock panels • Non-electric

20. Housing and shelter • Purpose • Animal management • Isolation area • Feed storage • Equipment storage • Human comfort • Needs vary by • Climate • Production system • Timing of lambing and kidding • Availability of natural shelter. • Personal preference

21. Do grazing animals require shelter? • Maybe not, but if they have access to it, they will usually use it. • They “appreciate” protection from bad weather.

22. FeedersFor supplemental feeding

23. StorageFeed and equipment • Ample feed storage protects your investment in feed and allows you to make bulk purchases. • Annual hay requirements • ¼ to ⅓ ton per animal • Hay storage • 180 to 240 ft3 per ton • Uncovered hay deteriorates rapidly in quality.

24. Water • Hand • Buckets • Troughs • Tanks • Tubs • Automatic waterer • Possible cost share from NRCS (EQUIP program) for pasture watering systems.

25. Labor • Daily care of animals • Twice daily milking • Annual shearing • Pasture management • Lambing and kidding • Parasite control • Hoof trimming

26. Dairy goat breeds • ADGA recognized • Swiss • Saanen • Alpine • Toggenburg • Oberhasli • Nubian • La Mancha • Nigerian Dwarf • Other • Sable (colored Saanens) • Golden Guernsey • Mini dairy goats Saanen Alpine Toggenburg Oberhasli Nubian La Mancha

27. Mini goat breeds • Pygmy (meat) • Nigerian Dwarf (dairy) • KinderPygmy x Nubian • Mini SilkyMyotonic x Nigerian Dwarf ? • Mini dairy goats Nigerian Dwarf x standard dairy Pygmy Nigerian Dwarf

28. Getting started • Get pastures and facilities ready before buying your first sheep or goats. • Start small and gradually increase size of herd. • Start with healthy animals. • Ewe lambs/doelings vs. mature females. • Ram and buck?!

29. Sources of breeding stock • Reputable breeders • Dispersal sales • Performance and production sales • Consignment sales • Local salebarn • Free