Raising organic small ruminants

Web Script for Organic Agriculture Production NC II

Objectives RAISING ORGANIC SMALL RUMINANTS
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
Introduction 1. Identify selection of good breeding stock and their suitable cage
LESSON 1 2. Determine appropriate site and housing for small ruminants
TOPIC 1 3. Determine feed materials and feeding management
4. Explain management for breeding.
5. Explain management of kidding/lambing, does/ewes and their progenies
6. Identify marketable small ruminants.

Select healthy breeders and suitable cages
In this lesson the learner will identify breed of small ruminants and proper cages.
BREEDER
Signs of healthy breeders

Bucks (male goat) Rams (male sheep)
1. Select healthy buck physically 1. Rams should be in strong physical
2. Must have a good producing line condition but not overly fat before
based from farm records. breeding.
3. Must come from doe with high 2. Select rams that were twins or from
twinning rate ewes that had high twinning records.
4. Buck’s legs are important because it 3. Scrotal circumference should be
needs a lot exercises during mating 28cm for 12 month-old rams and 32cm
time for mature rams.
5. Big and good testicles of buck
6. Status of physical condition should
be neither obese nor thinner
7. Must be active and ready to breed in-
heat doe
8. Replace buck, preferably every three
years to prevent inbreeding

.
TASK SHEET NO. 1

Title Identifying healthy breeder for small ruminants

Purpose To determine a good breeder

Supplies/Materials PPE, pen and paper, site

Procedure:
1. Go to the workshop area
2. Wear appropriate PPE. Bring pen and paper for the recording
3. Check the physical characteristics of small ruminants
4. Identify different breeder of small ruminants
5.Record the necessary information

Assessment Face to face feedback from trainer
Method

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA CHECKLIST

Identifying healthy breeder for small ruminants

Direction: Rate the trainee against each of the following criteria. Put X on the
appropriate box at the right side of each item to indicate how the trainee performs
the assigned task.

Did the trainee perform the following task well? Yes No

Wear appropriate PPE. Bring pen and paper for the
recording?

Check the physical characteristics of small ruminants

Identify different breeder of small ruminants
Check the physical characteristics of small ruminants

Record the necessary information
Remarks: (Please check the appropriate box)

satisfactory unsatisfactory

Comments/suggestion/feedback

TOPIC 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUITABLE SITE
TOPIC 3 SUITABLE SITE
1. Separate from the farm house, and in a quiet place
2. Large enough to meet the space needs of the lambs.
3. Free of damp and puddles, it should receive enough sunshine but not be too hot
4. avoid easily flooded area
CAGE DESIGN AND CAGE EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION

Small ruminants need shed or barn to provide shelter. It should be divided
into several rooms. They prefer elevated platform, stair type arrangement. It must
be well ventilated and easy to clean.

A. Area space requirement FLOOR SPACE (M2)
CATEGORY 1.5
2.0
Breeding female 1.0
Breeding male
Young stock

B. Fencing
Good fencing allows to control grazing. Things to consider when choosing and
constructing fencing.
Area- Pasture area can carry up to 15 head/ha, while combine grazing confinement
50. Staked posts every 2 meters.
height-atleast 4 feet high.
Materials- nine eye hog wire or barbed wire.

ACTIVITY NO. 1
MULTIPLE CHOICE. choose the correct answer
1. What are the capacity of the pasture area for small ruminants.
A. 150 head/ha
B. 15 head/ha
C. 100 head/ha

2. What is the purpose of fencing?
A. Allow to control grazing
B. Allow to control weeds
C. Allow to control parasites

3. Which of the following best setup of elevated flooring of cage.
A. 3 m high elevated flooring
B. 4 m high elevated flooring
C. 1m high elevated flooring

4. What do you call a male sheep?
A. Does
B. Ram
C. Ewe

LESSON 2 5. What do you call a male goat
TOPIC 1 A. Ram
B. Buck
C. Doe
FEED SMALL RUMINANTS
In this lesson the learner will learn feeding management for small ruminants
FEED RESOURCES

Fresh forage/soilage
-compose of plant leaves and stems mostly eaten by grazing animals. It can be
herbaceous legumes, grasses, shrubs or tree legumes.
Types of forage
1. Grasses-serves as main feed for ruminants

Napier, Guinea grass, para grass
2. Legumes-provides protein, vitamins and minerals for more improved
performance of animals

Centrosema, Siratro, Arachis,ipil-ipil,

3. Multi purpose tree species-mulberry trichantera, rensonii, flamengia,
indigofera

4. crop residues/by products

5. SILAGE

6. hay

7. grain-corn

8. root crops
MAINTENANCE OF FORAGE AREA
1. Remove unwanted plants/weeds
Hagonoy, Lantana, Giant mimosa\
2. Fencing
3. Planting materials, seeds, cuttings, and stolons

ACTIVITY NO. 2
PICTURE IDENTIFICATION. Identify feed resources for small ruminants
1.

2.
3.

4.

TOPIC 2 5.
FEEDING MANAGEMENT
For easy feeding to small ruminants, forage and fodder are always given in stall-fed,
and if stall-fed remains empty, it shows inadequacy of forage and fodder to small
ruminants. Goats have larger belly comparatively to other cattle, and can eat
smaller grasses which other cattle cannot. Goat can also eat bitter grass. Goats can
eat dry matter equivalent of 4% of its own body weight. The daily feed consumption
of a lamb should be 3.1% of its body weight. Concentrates can be given to a level of
about 2.5% of body weight daily. Sheep needs to provide protein, carbohydrates,
fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Required forage and fodder for goat based on weight

GOAT FORAGE AND FODDER

Growing kids (Up to 10-15kg) 2-3 kg per day

Small goat (Up to 20kg) 4kg per day

Medium goat (Up to 25 kg) 5kg per day

Big goat (Up to 30 kg) 6kg per day

Pure Confinement
-twice in a day small ruminants should be fed in the morning and evening; and
changing of water and feeding time table should be maintained at the same time.

Freely grazing
-feed should not be over fed to goat. Over feeding may cause bloat out stomach
and sometime goat can die.

Water- 5L is necessary for a goat per day

Title TASK SHEET NO. 2
Purpose Feeding small ruminants
Supplies/Materials To fed small ruminants
Procedure: Forage (napier grass, trichantera, hay, silage), bolo

1. Wear appropriate PPE
2. Get available forage
3. Harvest napier grass, cut and carry
4. Check water suppy
5. Give forage to small ruminants
Assessment Method Face to face feedback from trainer

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA CHECKLIST

Feeding small ruminant

Direction: Rate the trainee against each of the following criteria. Put X on the
appropriate box at the right side of each item to indicate how the trainee performs
the assigned task.

Did the trainee perform the following task well? Yes No

Wear appropriate PPE.

Get available forage

Harvest napier grass, cut and carry
Check water supply

Give forage to the small ruminants
Remarks: (Please check the appropriate box)

satisfactory unsatisfactory

Comments/suggestion/feedback

LESSON 3 MANAGE BREEDING OF SMALL RUMINANTS
TOPIC 1 In this lesson the learner will learn breeding management of small ruminants
BREEDING MANAGEMENT
Does (female goat)
Does reach puberty from 4 to 18 months. Best breeding age will be 10 to 12
months, depending on desired weight. Limit yearling buck services to 25 doe
service/year. The ratio of buck is 1:25.

Signs of Heat or Estrus:
1. Mucus discharge from the vulva, causing matting of tail hair.
2. Uneasiness, constant urination, lack of appetite and bleating.
3. Seeks out or stays near the buck and lets herself be mounted.

Ewes (female sheep)
Ewes come into heat every 17 days and stay in heat 30 to 36 hours. an ewe comes
into first heat 6 to 7 months of age, or sometimes earlier, but she should not be bred
at this time. if less that 7 to 8 months it is too young an age to be bred abortion or
stillbirth may occur. In breeding ewes, 1 service is usually enough for pregnancy.

Signs of heat are:
1. Swollen, inflamed and reddened vulva.
2. Watery mucous discharge from the vulva.
3. Nervousness and loss of appetite.
4. If a ram is in an adjoining pen, ewe will move as close to the ram as possible.
5. Tail wagging.

TOPIC 2 CARE OF PREGNANT SMALL RUMINANTS
1. A pregnant small ruminants needs, peace, special care and good feeding.
2. Need to protect the ewe against dog attacks and difficult situations, because
running and frights are not good for them
3. Keep her well fed.
4. Eliminate external parasites do it gently
5. Do not use some drugs for treatment of internal parasite. Read the label and
follow the directions carefully.
6. One week before lambing she should sleep alone in a small pen.

Culling
Overshot mouth
Undershot mouth
extra teats
split testicles
twisted or folded ears
abnormal legs
weak legs
deformed hooves
abnormal horn growth
Best breeding age will be 10 to 12

ACTIVITY NO. 3
MULTIPLE CHOISE. Choose the correct answer.
1. Which of the following is a female sheep?
A. Ram
B. Bucks
C. Ewe
2. Which of the following is a female goat?
A. Ram
B. Ewe
C. Doe

LESSON 4 3. Which of the following is the best breeding age of doe?
TOPIC 1 A. 4 to 6months
B. 6 to 8 months
C. 10 to 12 months
4. What is the best ratio of buck for service to does?
A. 1:100
B. 1: 50
C. 1:25
5. What are the signs of heat?
A. Swollen, inflamed and reddened vulva, watery mucous discharge, nervousness
loss appetite, tail wagging
B.
MANAGE DOES/EWES AND THEIR PROGENIES
In this lesson the learner will learn proper management of does/ewes and their
progenies
MANAGE DOES/EWES

SIGNS OF BIRTH
1. The udder swells and may turn red
2. The vulva swells and becomes red.
3. There will be a hollow on either side of the tail.
4. There will be a discharge for some days.
5. The ewe cries and acts like she's "talking".
6. The ewe becomes very ’es“less.
7” Water sack appears and ruptures.
8. The ewe looks for a lonely clean place.
HOW TO HELP THE EWE TO GIVE BIRTH:

CARE OF THE EWE AFTER BIRTH

TOPIC 2 1. After 150 days of gestation, pregnant doe will give birth

2. Offer water, because of the several hours without water

2. If the afterbirth does not come away itself after 12 hours, help to take it out by pulling
softly and carefully. Before trying that, wash your hands thoroughly and use a clean
cloth or gloves.

3. Keep away ewe from the lamb’s special bedding until all discharge has stopped.
MANAGEMENT OF KIDDING/LAMBING
The first milk is colostrums. Need to intake of young small ruminants.

TOPIC 2 Weaned kids are place in a separate pen according to size. If male kids are to be
raised for meat, castrate as early as possible, preferably within the first month.
Monitor weanling to make sure they are nursing and have bonded with their
does/ewes. If female are to be raised for milking, check for excess teats and have
them removed. Horn buds usually appear within the first to third month. De-horn
when buds reach the size of a fingernail. Separate males from females at the age of
four months. Goats sometimes reach puberty at this age.
Start breeding females at 10 to 12 months. Bucks can start breeding at the same
age.
MANAGE DOES/ EWES

After delivery of does/ewes wipe the kids/lamb mouth, nose and body with a
clean dry cloth massage the thoracic area to initiate breathing. Make sure that the
airways are not clogging the mucus. The placenta must come out within 24 hours
from expulsion of the fetus. Tie the umbilical cord with a sterile string and apply
iodine. If the doe is to be milked, separate the kids from the mother and start
feeding using a baby bottle (8 oz. Size). If the doe is not to be milked, the doe can
be taken out of the pen for feeding and returned to the kid three times a day and the
whole night. This method will ensure greater livability to the kid by not exposing it to
the elements, and proper feeding of the doe. Does weaned early (4 to 5 days)
usually return to heat after 1 to 2 months.

ACTIVITY 4
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the correct answer.
1. What do you call the first form of milk produce in does/ewes after they’re given
birth
A. Colostrums
B. Milk
C. Fresh milk
2. Which statement is correct about male kid.
A. Male kid will die if it is not castrated.
B. If male kid is raised for meat purposes it should castrate.
C. If male kid is raised for meat purposes it should not castrate
3. Which is statement is correct about kids/lambs.
A. After the delivery of the does/ewes the kids/lambs mouth, nose, and body should
clean.
B. After delivery of kids/lambs mucus should not remove to them.
C. Do not tie the umbilical cord.
4. The following are the good benefits of colostrums except.

A. Rich in fats, vitamins and carbohydrates
B. Prevent diseases
C. Not healthy
5. Gestation period of goat
A. 100 days
B. 150 days
C. 200 days

LESSON 5 GROWN AND HARVEST SMALL RUMINANTS
Health management
Health management is an important in small ruminant. Through management it is
necessary to improve the productivity of small ruminant such as: general health
management , parasite control, vaccine management, environment management
and proper record keeping. Small ruminants need minerals that came from salt.
Start with a healthy weanling and properly maintain with nutrition and clean living
conditions will prevent most health problems. Observe animals and respond to any
health problem. Isolate animal at the first sign of illness.
Tasks to keep the goat healthy
1. Feed adequately and quality feeds along with clean water

2. Know major diseased and vaccinated against those diseases
3. Control of internal and external parasites

4. Keep ailing small ruminants separately and do not mix with healthy small
ruminants

5. Thoroughly screen at the time of bringing new small ruminants

6. Construct good shed to protect for unsuitable climate

7. Maintain hooves properly

8. Sheep with longer fleeces will need to be sheared twice a year.

Have your small ruminants checked regularly for specific worm load and deworm
regularly depending on worm load and seasonal occurrences. Know what kind of
internal parasite is affecting your herd before attempting to use a deworming
product, or else it will be a waste of money and effort.

TASK SHEET NO. 3

Title Monitoring of small ruminants

Purpose To determine the behavior of small ruminants

Supplies/Materials PPE, pen and paper, site

Procedure:
1. Go to the workshop area
2. Wear appropriate PPE. Bring pen and paper for the recording
3. Check the physical characteristics of small ruminants
4. Monitor and observe the movement.
5. Record the necessary information

Assessment Method Face to face feedback from trainer

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA CHECKLIST

Monitoring of small ruminants

Direction: Rate the trainee against each of the following criteria. Put X on the
appropriate box at the right side of each item to indicate how the trainee performs
the assigned task.

Did the trainee perform the following task well? Yes No

Wear appropriate PPE. Bring pen and paper

Check the physical characteristics of small ruminants

Monitor and observe the movement
Record the necessary information

Remarks: (Please check the appropriate box)

satisfactory unsatisfactory

Comments/suggestion/feedback

TOPIC 2 Farm Sanitation and Cleanliness
Farm sanitation and cleanliness
Pens should clean daily and washed at least three times a week. Disinfect at

least twice a month. Make sure cleaning detergents are compatible with the
disinfectant to be used afterwards. Clean pens, drinkers, troughs and feed storage.
Aside from the pens, equipment and vehicles must be regularly cleaned and
disinfected. Spray IMO and wood vinegar. Use a lagoon or pit to store waste for at
least a month before spreading to the pasture. Use as fertilizer to the pasture area.

TOPIC 3 Remove manure and soiled bedding daily. Scoop out poop and wet, stinky
bedding every day. This includes in the pasture and in the goat’s shelter.
Replace the bedding with fresh hay.
 This will prevent your goat from becoming ill since you’re removing the
parasites that live in the manure.
 Once or twice a year, you should do a deep cleaning of your goat’s shelter.
Remove the bedding and scrub down all surfaces. Then replace the bedding
with fresh hay.

Weight estimation

This is a guide to determine the weight of your livestock sheep or goat:
1. Measure the circumference of the animal, as shown in distance C in the
illustration. Make sure to measure girth in relation to the location of the animal's
heart. On a sheep, ensure an accurate measurement by compressing the sheep's
wool so that the circumference reflects that of the body and does not include that of
the body plus the wool.
2. Measure the length of the animal's body, as shown in distance A-B in the
illustration. 3. Using the measurements from steps 1 and 2, calculate body weight

using the formula HEART GIRTH x BODY LENGTH / 300 = ANIMAL WEIGHT IN
POUNDS.

ACTIVITY NO. 5
TRUE or FALSE.
________1. Pens should clean daily and washed at least three times a week
________2. For the weight estimation formula heart girth X body length/300=height
of the animal
________3. Remove manure and bedding yearly.
________4. Disinfect at least twice a month
________5. Goat manure is a good source of organic fertilizer.

TASK SHEET NO. 4

Title Calculate weight of small ruminants

Purpose To determine the weight of small ruminants

Supplies/Materials PPE, pen and paper, site

Procedure:
1. Go to the workshop area
2. Wear appropriate PPE. Bring pen and paper for the recording
3. Select one small ruminant per trainee
4. Measure the circumference of small ruminant and record
5. Measure the length of the body and record
6. Calculate using the weight estimation formula
7. Proceed to the trainer for the result

Assessment Method Face to face feedback from trainer

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA CHECKLIST

Calculate weight of small ruminants

Direction: Rate the trainee against each of the following criteria. Put X on the
appropriate box at the right side of each item to indicate how the trainee performs
the assigned task.

Did the trainee perform the following task well? Yes No

Wear appropriate PPE. Bring pen and paper for the
recording

Select one small ruminants

Measure the circumference of small ruminant
Measure the length of the body

Record and calculate the weight estimation of small
ruminant.
Remarks: (Please check the appropriate box)

satisfactory unsatisfactory

Comments/suggestion/feedback

https://bai.gov.ph/index.php/kambing/send/18-kambing/75-goat-nutrition-and-feeding-management

http://ati.da.gov.ph/ati-car/sites/default/files/Forage_Crops.pdf
https://practicalfarmers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Estimating-animal-weight.pdf
http://www.fao.org/3/ah651e/ah651e08.htm#:~:text=A%20ewe%20comes%20into%20first,abortion%20or%20stillb
irth%20may%20occur.