Osmanabadi Goats

Osmanabadi Goats

The Osmanabadi goat originates in Maharashtra’s Latur and Osmanabad areas. That’s the big, typically-black creature.

Osmanabadi goats are well recognised for their disease resistance potential; their disease resistance compared to other goat breeds is greater, thus making them regarded as the ideal breed for commercial goat farms.

Its coat comes in a wide range of colours, although the most common are black, white, and brown. It was raised for both its meat and its milk.

The average adult male goat weighs 34 kg, whereas the average adult female goat tips the scales at 32 kg. Male goats average 68 centimetres in body length, while female goats average 66 centimetres.

Daily milk production is typically between 0.5 and 1.5 kilogrammes.

The Osmanabadi goat may be used for either meat or milk. But they are grown mostly for meat production because of their highest-grade meat. The flesh of the Osmanabadi goat, one of India’s certified goat breeds, is in particularly high demand. This breed not only produces high-quality meat but also high-quality skin, which is in high demand.

Characteristics

Although black is the most common colour for Osmanabadi goats, other colours are possible. Their large, drooping ears complement their otherwise straight or slightly curved faces. Only males have horns, while horns in females are only cosmetic.

Osmanabadi goats range from medium-sized to giant. The colour of their coats varies. However, Osmanabadi goats often have black coats. While most are brown, some are white or speckled. They look gorgeous, and their legs are very lengthy. Ear length ranges from modest to long.

About 90% of the bucks have horns, whereas some may either have horns or be polled. The typical adult male and female Osmanabadi weigh 36 and 30 kilogrammes, respectively.

Feeding

The goat should be nourished according to its weight. Feed the goats at a rate of 10% of their body weight every day.

The goat has to be fed three times a day, and its diet should include green forage, dry forage, and concentrate feed.

Protein, carbs, vitamins, and minerals are all essential components of the goat diet. High-quality inputs always provide the best outcomes.

Do not forget to provide the goats who are expecting or nursing an additional 100 grammes of concentrate feed every day.

Housing

• Goats, which are particularly sensitive to air pollution, need constant access to outside space in their housing. They need a reliable source of food as well. In the winter, plastic should be arranged to cover the vents.
• Goat housing considerations:
• Homes on the farm should have plenty of windows and doors to allow for the free flow of air.
• In order to maximise productivity in the home, it’s important to keep it clean, dry, and sanitary.
• Limestone powder should be put in every two weeks to kill the microorganisms.
• Keep farm populations down to manageable levels.
• Goat youngsters, male goats, and female goats all need their own quarters.

Milk production

The first six weeks after giving birth to a child are when a mother’s milk production is at its highest, averaging 1.25 litres per day. After then, milk output gradually decreased from week to week. Osmanabadi goat milk has 3.5% fat and 2% protein. Those with lactose intolerance may drink the milk with no problems.

In major urban centres, goat milk is in significant demand. Babies do better on goat milk. The farmer may generate money by selling the goat milk; goat milk has been accepted as a by-product in commercial goat farming.

Advantages

• Goats of the Osmanabadi breed can survive in a wide range of climates.
• When properly vaccinated, the Osmanabadi goat breed is known for its strong disease resistance and many offspring. Therefore, veterinarians suggest this breed for the commercial goat farming industry.
• The breed can readily adjust to the climate of any Indian state. In severe temperatures or humidity, they thrive. Their ability to joke around is impressive. Twice-yearly breeding is normal under optimal circumstances, with twins being the norm and triplets being very uncommon.
• The Osmanabadi goat, like other goats, takes 5 months to have a child. The breed is also excellent for milk production, with an average daily milk supply of 0.5 to 1.5 kg during a lactation duration of roughly 4 months.
• Osmanabadi goats are a cost-effective breed since they may be fed readily accessible forage such as grass, the pulp of legumes, and even vegetables. There is no need to buy expensive or rare feed for them.

Vaccination

• Foot and mouth disease (FMD): Vaccinate infants twice a year, once at 3 months and again at 6 months. Every six months, adults need to be vaccinated.
• Goat pox: Vaccinate infants twice a year, once at 3 months and again at 6 months. Vaccinations for adults should be updated annually.
• Peste des petits ruminants (PPR): Vaccinate infants twice a year, once at 3 months and again at 6 months. Vaccinations for adults should be updated annually.

Tips for raising Osmanabadi goats

Although they are tough creatures, goats nonetheless need regular care to ensure their health and productivity. It is crucial to provide them with proper housing. While most goats are content to graze in the open, osmanabadi goats need protection from the elements. The housing on the tiers needs proper air flow, drainage, and insulation.

The quality of the food you provide your goats is essential to their continued good health. Make sure they have access to fresh water, and provide them with protein-rich supplements like soybean meal or cottonseed cake in addition to high-quality roughage like hay or straw.

Preventing diseases and infections requires regular medical checkups. Be knowledgeable about the most recent veterinary studies pertaining to these animals, and keep track of when they were vaccinated and dewormed.

Care of the breed

• Pregnant goats need to be dried off at least 6–8 weeks before they are due to give birth for the baby to grow normally. Before the goat’s projected kidding date, give it a clean, open space with straw on the floor.
• After giving birth, the placenta should be removed, and the baby’s nose, cheeks, and ears should be cleaned with a dry cotton towel. Babies should be cleaned with a mild rubbing motion. Holding a newborn up by its hind legs with its head pointing downward may help clear its airway if it is experiencing trouble breathing. Within 30 minutes of delivery, the udder of the goat is cleaned with tincture iodine, and the kid is given its first sip of colostrum.
• Goat postpartum care includes disinfecting the birthing area and washing the goat’s rear end with iodine or Neem water. After giving birth, the goat should be given sweet water and then hot feed consisting of a combination of ginger, salt, metal sawdust, and sugar.
• Marking them with a number is vital for keeping accurate records, promoting good husbandry, facilitating identification, and serving as evidence of ownership. Tattoos, tags, wax marking crayons, spray chalk, coloured spray paint, and paint branding are the most common tools for this task.
• When it comes to protecting goats against clostridial infections, the CDT or CD&T vaccine is the mainstay. At the moment of birth, a tetanus shot should be administered. Booster vaccinations are administered between the ages of 5 and 6 weeks, and then annually thereafter.