Alphamegah

Small Scale Boer Goat Barn Design - Continue

2009-04-11T09:38:00.012+08:00

5. Floor Layout

Bear in mind that the pen size is 10 feet long and 7 feet width. So the rows length would be in multiple of 10 feet and the width of 7 feet remain the same. For a capacity of 100 goats (about 40 adults and 60 kids), we need 8 normal size pens and 10 pregnancy pens. (Be ready to expand the barn or build a second barn in the second year).

Build the normal size pens in two rows (i.e. 4 each row) and one row for pregnancy pens. While building the first barn, you must consider its expansion. Orientation of the barn is important for easy future expansion. Let us assume the rows run from north to south. There will be 2 rows of normal size pens and 1 pregnancy pen running from north to south...

6. Provision for Food Trough

The trough should be built on one side of each row and must be continuous from one end to another end without any break in between. What about door for each pen? The doors should be built from the other side of the row. In this way, the food trough would be in one side and the doors in another side of the row. Assuming you have the basic 3 rows barn, the middle row will have their food trough facing the first row and its doors facing the pregnancy pens doors. The first row will have its doors facing west side of the barn and the pregnancy row will have its food trough facing east side of the barn. Make a provision of 1.5 to 2 feet for service walkway on the outside perimeter of the barn and also between the the food trough. Make another provision of 2 to 2.5 feet between the middle row and the pregnancy row. The width of the food trough is 20 inches edge-to-edge.

Important Note:

The trough is made of thick canvas. This material is very strong. It can withstand the weight of any goat running inside it without any breaking. Most important it will be very convenient for cleaning job every morning. When it clean, we can rest assure that the goat will be eating in a clean environment. As a result our goat will be more healthy. Many farmers still sceptical about using canvas as the food trough. Most of them still using the old technique of using wooden planks or the new ones using rain gutter or big PVC pipes cut into halves. Those materials needs frequent maintenance, wrong sizing will result in insufficient quantity of food, cleaning will not be as quick and as clean as using canvas. This little extra investment will provide long term benefits in work efficiency and cost saving.

Small Scale Boer Goat Barn Design

2009-03-14T17:11:00.004+08:00

I get involve into boer goat farming merely two years. I'm no where to be called an expert in the field of goat farming, neither by qualification nor by experience. I have three barns with a total area of about 7000 square feet. I built the second barn 6 months after the first and the third came 6 months after the second. Each time I built the new one, I renovated the previous one/s. The later barn came with new ideas, which bring improvement on the previous. I'm quite happy with the third design, therefore I will not change anything if I were to build my fourth barn. The design is suitable for Malaysian weather and tropical country where there's a lot of rain, warm and very humid. It applies for feedlot system.

1. Barn height

Minimum 5 feet above ground, maximum of 7 feet. More than that is simply a waste and not practical. Lower than 5 feet will make cleaning job under the barn not conducive.

2. Roof height

The lower portion on the edge should be minimum 7 feet height from the floor and the roof slope ratio about 2:10. The roof has no ridge, one side is higher than the other. This is to allow adequate ventilation in the barn. It also prevent rain water from entering the barn.

3. Pen size

I regard the pen sizing as critical. It determines the comfort of the animals. It is where we can keep the goats according to categories; according to their sizes (by age or by body weight), by strength (the weak ones and the strong ones), by gender etc. For a small scale farm, the pen size really critical to determine our efficiency in producing more goats. Through my experience, the most suitable pen size is 10feet by 7feet. It can accommodate 7 to 8 adults very comfortably with sufficient area for resting and space for feeding. A larger area will make it difficult for the buck for mating. He has to do a lot of chasing games. As a result he becomes less productive.

4. Provision for Pregnancy Pen

It is important to separate the pregnant doe in her own pen, for her safety and her baby. She will occupy the pen for about 6 weeks, 3 to 4 weeks before giving birth and 2 to 3 weeks after giving birth.

5. Floor Layout

We shall discuss this topic in the next publish, together with more updated barn pictures.

Goat Farm without Smell?

2009-03-07T17:25:00.007+08:00

Not unusual? But not easily found..!! If you come to my farm you will be surprised because there's no smell, I mean reasonably no smell... This is not my own statement but said by my visitors.

Recently my farm was visited by some officers from the Government Agencies from Johor Bahru and Melaka, as well as a few farmers from nearby. All of them will never forget to pass this common comment: "How come your farm has no smell? I don't see any flies (lalat la tu...). What is your secret?"

Secret? Do I have any secret? I never used secret product or formula... At all if they want to call it a secret, let them.

I supposed everyone knows or heard about EM, Effective Micro-Organism. This is my secret. But some of the visitors said they used EM but their farm still smell bad. My suggestion is, you change another supplier.

There are many locally produced EM. Some are good and some are not good. The result tells. I'm sure mine was a good one simply because it works... According to my supplier/producer, he imported the main ingredient from Japan. He mixed it with molasses and some other materials.

I cleaned the droppings under the farm every 2 to 3 weeks. From under the farm, I transferred them to in front of the farm. It will be there sometimes 2 to 3 months before I used them as fertilizer for my grass or palm oil plantations nearby. Even for that long period, still there's no smell. Amazing? Quite..!!

How do I apply the EM. Two ways. First step is mixing the EM into drinking tank. Ratio 1 to 1000. Do it twice weekly, every Monday and Thursday. Second step is spray the EM to every part of the farm including the goats. Do it once a month.

EM will help the digestion. As a result, there is no case of "bloating" and very few cases of diarrhea. In short: A healthy goats....

Since I practice ZWDW system, there are traces of EM flowed into the well and sprinkled to grass field, my grass can also enjoy the benefits of EM through the sprinkler and organic fertilizer.

Can I claim that I produce ORGANIC GOATS?

Zero Waste Drinking Water System - ZWDW

2009-03-01T08:30:00.016+08:00

In my previous publish, I mentioned about drinking water wastage and inefficient usage of manpower in drinking water management.
But how to manage the system and achieve no wastage of resources and increased efficiency? Wastage happened when we have to throw away the unconsumed drinking water. So wastage can be avoided simply by "not creating" the wastage water. To achieve that we need to change the water system from putting them in pails or buckets or containers... to a direct drinking system using "drinking nipples".
Nipple is available in most shop dealing with agriculture accessories. Each will cost less than RM20.00. It is a very marginal additional cost compared to the advantages we might achieve in the long run. To establish a complete drinking system, of course we need to construct the piping system, connecting from the water tank to distribute it to every pan.

What is "Zero Wastage Drinking Water System". Let's call it ZWDW system.

Even if we use nipple, there will be a little bit of water spilled over from the nipple while the goats enjoying the water. Also, there are some naughty goats which like to "play" with the nipples, enjoying the ejected water, washing their face, rubbing their nose etc... Those wastage if we can recycle them into some usage, then we can achieve ZWDW. Of course we should not use it as drinking water again...

The wasted water can also make the wooden floor in the pan (under the nipples) becoming soft. Without proper control, it will cause the floor broken. So we need some kind of water collecter to capture the water, channel it to a reservoir and reuse/recycle them. I used PVC "pipe-reducer" as water collecter. I need to use 6" to 4" plus 4" to 2" plus 2" to 1" reducers to make a complete water collecter. From the collecter the water is channelled via a 1" piping system to a pond next to the farm.

Water in the pond is collected from the rain water, collected from the roof plus ground water plus water from the ZWDW system. These water is then used to water the grass whenever there's no rain.

That's how ZWDW system works. It saves cost, time, efficient and produces healthy goats.

Drinking Facility in Goat Farm

2009-02-27T07:59:00.008+08:00

I consider health is the most important aspect in the farm, especially if we want to be a breeder. One of those facilities that we must concern about is source of clean and good quality of drinking water. A dirty drinking water could lead to diarrhea. Hence, will cause retardation in growth and possibly death.

I have seen many small farms like mine, using pail or bucket or recycled chemical container to serve drinking water. To maintain minimum cleanliness level, the water needs to be changed at least twice a day. If we have to change 20 containers, one could imagine how much time needed to do the job. It ends up many farmers change them "once in a while"...

Each container normally will take about 15 liters and the consumption is less than half. The remainder half is normally non-consumable. Dirty and contaiminated... Hundreds of liters is wasted everyday.... Tens of manhours are wasted each months.... It is a matter of concern for the management: Health, efficiency and profitability...

Farming industry has grown well established in terms of providing reasonable good facilities in the farm. Drinking water facility is one of them. To my dear colleagues farmers, please look for "nipple". Find something suitable for the farm, but if you look something suitable for yourself, then the choice is yours hahahaaa...

I would like to share the drinking water system I used in my farm. Perhaps you could upgrade the one you have.

First we must have water tank, installed about 3m above the floor. Its capacity depending on the quantity of the goats. I use 100liter tank size for 100 adult goats. It has continuous supply directly from the water authority (in my case, SAM).

A properly designed farm will make water distribution system easy and simple. Normally our farm are designed in rows. But there are farms with a few small pans in some corners.

To reduce the number of nipples, we do not require to install one nipple in each pan. We install one for every 2 pan. Install it at in-between 2 pans. They can share the nipple. Make sure we make a window big enough for them to access. Roughly about 15inch height and 8inch width.

The nipple is installed about 1m above the floor, in line with the running water pipes.

What is that small container below the nipple? I will share with you in my future publish, Insha Allah.

10 Young Boer F4/F5 Bucks for Sale - Lot no 5

2009-02-26T21:31:00.018+08:00

Hi All, I received several enquiries from some readers about younger bucks. Thank you to those who is interested to see available stock in my farm. If you like to purchase them, kindly quote your offer. I indicated the minimum price for each buck.

1. Tag no: 2353.

Age: 9months

Weight: 35kg

Price: RM1,000.00

Notes: It is the largest in the group, also the strongest. But it is very friendly with everyone.

2.Tag no: 9828

Age: 9 months

Weight: 35

Price: RM1,000.00

Note: It has the same size as the first one, even though it looks slightly smaller, somehow.

3. Tag no: 9813
Age: 8 months
Weight: 32kg
Price: RM950.00
Notes: Healthy and active.

4. Tag no: 9810

Age: 8 months

Weight: 32kg

Price: RM950.00

Notes: Very active and fierce. Not scared to fight with bigger bucks.

5. Tag no: 9827
Age: 8 months
Weight: 32kg
Price: RM900.00
Note: Active and healthy

6. Tag no: 9807
Age: 7 months

Weight: 30kg

Price: RM800.00
Notes: Looks like a full blood Boer.

7. Tag no: 9824
Age: 8 months

Weight: 32kg

Price: RM950.00
Note: Long hair on rear legs. Looks handsome.

8. Tag no: 9826
Age: 8 months
Weight: 30 kg
Price: RM950.00
Notes: We called him "roamer". He seldom stay in one pan, however we tried, he can easily escaped from the pan. Very athletic and cunning.

9. Tag no: 3500
Age: 6 months
Weight: 26 kg
Price: RM800.00
Notes: Friendly with its piers and human being.

10: Tag no: 9801
Age: 6 months
Weight: 27kg
Price: RM800.00
Notes: Another fighter. Ready to fight for long period especially with new comers into his pan. Has a lot of stamina and strength.

Pictures of Goats Giving Birth

2009-02-21T19:29:00.015+08:00

Have you ever witnessed the process of giving birth (I mean for goat...)? Let's share those moments, through some of the pictures I have taken very recently..

First, she is checking the trace of blood coming out from her vagina...

After about 5 minutes of "pushing", there were 2 water bags came out, one in red and the other in nuteral colours...

She lied down (must be in great pain..) After a few minutes, the baby's front legs came out followed by the head. This is the most critical moment of the process. I'm sure you all know why.... the baby's head is big..! During this stage, normally the mother will be screaming and groaning to her maximum, while pushing out the baby. The pain must be real...

... it's coming... it's coming... and finally it's fully delivered... Alhamdulillah...!

But the job is still not finished for the mother. She has to do the cleaning up of the baby, all by herself. There's no doctor or nurses. Completely DIY... She did it by licking the "jelly and liquid" on the baby (sorry I don't know the medical terms of those stuff..). She seemed to like it, perhaps its taste like icecream..! The kid is a boy, weighing about 2kg. He looks healthy, having good voice too...!

I shifted them both to another pan with plastic grating floor. This material will help the baby to stand up more steadily without slip (the bluish colour on the floor). It also prevent the baby's leg not to stuck in the wooden floor gap.

Half way cleaning the baby, she lied down again. I wonder why..! Oops, he got a company? Perhaps another baby would be coming. Yes, that's right...

This time the delivery process was much easier. Just like 1,2,3 and out you go.... "Hello my lovely sister. How are you? Let's play hide and seek...."

Naturally the bigger brother will have his first taste of the milk.... Teaching him to do his first milking will help him getting it done faster.

It's important for him to get his first milking within one hour after delivery. According to one veterinar, the milk quality is at its highest in the first 24 hour. Its protein and antibodies content will reduce slowly and eventually become normal milk after 72 hours.

That's all folks. Hope we have learnt something about goat's delivery process.

Pregnant Does

2009-02-21T18:55:00.007+08:00

Alhamdulillah.... there are 7 does in late stage of pregnancy in my farm....

Just watch the size of their bellies.. In this month of February, so far 7 deliveries have taken place and 11 new born babies have joined the fleet, 6 boys and 5 girls....

Insha Allah they will grow as normal babies.

Is It Mating Season Now?

2009-02-19T19:53:00.011+08:00

It is very surprising.! All my boer bucks, 13 of them, are actively mating for the last 2 weeks. I have 3 older bucks which I purchased 2 years ago and 10 new ones which were born and brought up in my farm. They are now about 15 to 18 months old. They were mating around the clock (in turns) but at least 2 0r 3 of them were mating concurrently... What a huge noise they made especially in the middle of the night. My workers already complaining since they have to repair the pans at least 3 times everyday.

For those who are not familiar with the mating in progress, I have captured a few moments for your viewing. Please apologise if you find it too sexy...

7 Bucks Available for Sale - Lot no 4

2009-02-19T19:05:00.013+08:00

Aged: 15 to 18 months

Weight: More than 40kg

Type: Boer F4/F5

Price: On best negotiable offer

Notes: Healthy condition and very actively mating.

Please view the attached photos for your evaluation.

First Step: Plant the Grass

2009-02-11T22:23:00.007+08:00

According to my mentor, it's easy to bring in the animals. Within 2-3 weeks, he can supply me any type of boer species (F1 or the fullblood type) at any amount. But if you have no grass, he said, you will cry for long time.... Taking his advice and learning from his bitter experience when he started his farm, plus some reserach on my own, I started the grass planting activities, starting with land clearing to choice of grass type, to fixing the sprinkler, water pump, building the pond...

Now, look at the grass and water sprinkling in progress in attached photos. Isn't it cool?

Next would be to design the farm layout, panning system, water drinking system, food trough etc...

Boer for Sales F4/F5 Lot no 3 - SOLD

2009-02-04T00:26:00.005+08:00

FEMALE:

Weight: 20kg to 25kg.

Aged: 7 months to 9 months

Quantity: 10 only

Sales Price: RM8,000.00 ex-farm.

Additional ONE buck (male) aged 15months, weight 50kg, F4/F5 at RM9,200.00 only.

Boer for Sales F4/F5 Lot no 2 - SOLD

2009-02-04T00:02:00.007+08:00

FEMALE:

Weight: 25kg to 29kg.

Aged: 10 months to 12 months.

Quantity: 9 only.

Offered Price: RM9,000.00 ex-farm.

Additional one buck (male) aged 15 months, weight 50kg, F4/F5 at RM10,200.00

Boer for Sales F4/F5 Lot no 1 - SOLD

2009-02-03T23:26:00.008+08:00

FEMALE:

Weight: 31kg to 36kg.

Age: 12 months to 15 months.

Quantity: 4.

Offered price: RM4,400.00 ex-farm.

Additional ONE buck (male) aged 15 months,

weight 50kg, F4/F5 at RM5,600.00.

Learning Goat Farming

2009-02-01T10:42:00.009+08:00

As a hobby, I wish I would grow my goats as pet and as well as friend. I want them to be healthy, clean, well fed and living in some level of comfort. I know it's a challenge to achieve those wishes but I'm willing to invest my time and money into this. I know I would be delighted if the wishes come true...

It will be nice if I can develop the farm on my own land... Yes, I have a piece of land about 1hectare not far from home. It was an abandoned fruit orchard which I failed to develop10 years ago. The only facility available there was a small concrete house about 400 square feets. It has a toilet, living area, kitchen and a store room. Good enough as resting shade, at least...

I started to search the internet about goat; learning about its species (including its sizes and country of origin), diseases and medication, type of grass and food etc... and the learning getting more and more interesting. I visited a few goat farms, from small to large scale farmers. Learning about detail of farm facilities, farm layout design, routine tasks, manpower requirement... I study their strength and weaknesses. Many discoveries and the learning continues...

Goat Farming

2009-01-21T22:10:00.003+08:00

It all started as a hobby. My love for farming began since my younger days. Being born and brought up in a village, some 50 years ago, naturally farming has been in my blood ever since... My love for animals has been as old as my birth certificate.
These loves get renewed after getting tired of living with those hi-tech staff for almost three decades. Going back to basic was what I have been longing for many years...
My former job has brought me to travel to all continents (except South America). Beginning with living in Africa's poorest country, then Sri Lanka's war torn island-country, Bangladesh natural disasterous country, India's over-populated cities, Jakarta's deadlock traffic jam... to the most modern, well-developed cities in Europe like London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Stockholm.... to Washington, New York, Canada... to Cape town... to Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Manila, Bangkok.... to Melbourne..... to the middle east... It was really tiring to travel that much. Nevertheless, traveling has taught me many new lessons in life.