Malabari Goats

Malabari Goats

Malabari goats, also known as Tellicherry goats, are famous for their distinctive appearance. It’s one of the most manageable goat breeds due to its rapid development, great milk production, and competent kid-rearing. Malabari goats typically have their young between the ages of 5 and 6 months and give birth in the fifth or sixth month after mating. 

A decent Malabari goat will birth 4-6 offspring a year. With appropriate care, a Malabari goat may grow from a baby to a 20-kilogramme adult in only seven months.

Goats are picked depending on weather conditions and regions. As long as the temperature isn’t too cold or too hot, Malabari goats may thrive practically anywhere. Except for the mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, Malabari goats are ideal throughout the rest of India. 

Goats of the Malabari breed do well in certain parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, but the ideal conditions may be found in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka in the south of India. The breed has not yet attained widespread recognition, so most northern states are unaware of it.

Characteristics

White coloration is not a natural part of the Malabari goat’s genetic makeup. Extremely uncommon black goats exist. Malabari goats that are 100% purebred are always white. Goats of the Malabari kind are indigenous to the highlands of Kerala. These goats are a fast-growing and prolific breed. 

While Malabari goats (also known as tellicherry goats) may be grown in open grazing, tellicherry goats that are fed in a shed are considerably less of a handful. When compared to goats raised in an open environment, these animals are reported to acquire weight more quickly and remain disease-free.

The average Malabari goat matures in around 7 months. 

Malabari goats are one of the rare goat breeds that can grow from 2 pounds to 20 pounds in only 7 months. They reach sexual maturity during the eighth month and start having kids around the one-year mark. This is why Malabari goats are so popular among farmers.

The Malabari goats are also reported to give roughly 2.5 litres of milk. For the first several weeks at least, the milk may not be suitable for human consumption, but it will be more than enough for the children’s healthy development.

A well-cared-for Malabari goat may gain 20–22 kg in only 7 months. With reasonable management, folks might observe 16–18 kg of goats in the same amount of time.

Feeding

The cost of feed is the biggest outlay on a goat farm. The demand for feed is ongoing on a goat farm; therefore, prospective farmers should stock up on supplies beforehand. Most farmers fail to consider this and instead import feed from outside the region or harvest leaves and bushes from neighbouring properties. Both farmer anxiety and transportation costs rise as a result. Buying feed adds a significant amount to the feed cost and has substantial overhead costs.

There are three distinct types of goat food. Three types of feed are available: green, dry, and concentrated. Most farmers remember to order dry feed and green feed, but they often forget about concentrate feed. Goats need 200 grammes of concentrate feed per day, and it should be a staple in their diet. The ingredients for concentrate feeds may be found at practically any farm store or farmer’s market.

Housing

Wooden huts are created from planks, bamboo, and sticks for larger flocks. The floor is made out of planks of wood that are two to four feet from the ground. Urine and faces may easily fall through the floor since the boards are placed only 1 to 2 centimetres apart. This will allow for a thorough cleaning of the home. 

To split animals into distinct types, internal compartmentalization is employed.

A wooden ramp provides convenient access for bringing animals in and out of the home. Five to ten sheep are sheltered in the cinderblock enclosure. The roof is made of bamboo and coconut leaves. These dwellings lack modern conveniences like electricity and kitchen staff. Babies are kept in a bamboo-stick cage at home.

Vaccination

Even if you know all there is to know about goats and how to breed them, you won’t be able to help when they become sick if you don’t have enough helpers. Eventually, every last living thing will go ill. We all need to take care of our health, and the same is true for your goat. A veterinarian may prevent more financial damage by intervening before things get worse. 

It’s preferable to let professionals decide when and what immunisations your goats require, as well as diagnose any health problems they may be experiencing. You can get assistance from veterinarians working for the government, but you’ll need to have their contact information handy. Bring them out to the farm so they can vaccinate the infants. It’s important to deworm your goats frequently and on time.

Health care tips

Preventing the spread of illnesses like goat pox, plague, FMD, etc. requires regularly vaccinating animals. Salmonellosis and brucellosis are two diseases that must be avoided at all costs due to their contagious nature.

Dos are dewormed just before mating, and youngsters are dewormed once a month, throughout the breeding season.

Stray animals should be kept away from the farm to prevent the spread of illness. A sick goat has to be quarantined and treated without delay.