2015 WAEC Animal Husbandry Theory (a)       Discuss the management of goats under the following headings: (i)  breeding; (ii) care of...

(a) Discuss the management of goats under the following headings:
(i) breeding;
(ii) care of kids;
(iii) identification;
(iv) castration.

(a) Management of goats

(i) Breeding

Goats should be bred when they are at least 8-9 months old for the male and 12-15 months for the female/attainment of puberty
Unwanted males should be castrated or disposed of while good
males are retained
Males should be separated from females at weaning stage where
possible
Female should be flushed before mating
One buck can mate eighteen to twenty five does
Signs of heat should be identified/observed

(ii) Care of kids

(iii) Identification

Determine the appropriate identification method e.g. ear notching,
ear tagging, neck chaining, collar paint, branding, body/hair cutting
Ensure proper record of animals for breeding, culling, selection,
medication purposes
Inspect the animals regularly to ensure that their identification
marks are intact
Replace lost identities/re-embossed faded marks
Prompt treatment of injuries that may arise during and after identification process

(iv) Castration

Male kids not required for breeding should be castrated
Castration should be done before four months old
Determine the type of castration to be carried out e.g. close castration,
using the burdizzo or elastrator or open castration, using sterilized sharp knife
or blade or scarpel
Isolate castrated goats from the herd for close monitoring
During the healing process ensure regular cleaning of the wound
with appropriate antiseptics
Administer prescribed drugs to goat after castration
Ensure that animal is kept on high plane of nutrition during the
period of castration
Supply clean water regularly
Ensure proper sanitation in pens where castrated goats are kept
Close monitoring of the animal to determine the effectiveness of
the castration