How long does a goat grow: rules and terms for keeping meat when kids are castrated
Cattle breeding in our country is based on cows, sheep and pigs. Although there are other types of animals that provide no less tasty meat. For example, domestic goats. Unpretentiousness in food, good ability to endure heat and frost have made goats faithful companions of man since ancient times. To get quality meat from an animal, it is important for a farmer to know how much a domestic goat grows and how to provide it with ideal conditions for rapid weight gain.
How long does a goat grow for meat
In good conditions, goats live up to 15 years, and up to this age they can become pregnant and give birth to offspring.If we are talking about breeding animals for meat, then what is taken from animals up to a year is considered optimal. The best is recognized that give lightly fattened goats aged from one and a half to two months.
The quality of meat depends mainly on the food base of the animal, and only climatic conditions affect the lifespan. Although meat goat breeds are considered the most resistant, it is still better to protect the livestock from cold, heat and not bring it to wet pastures. This is fraught with pneumonia, and, accordingly, the deterioration of the value of meat due to drugs.
When kids grow up on natural food with the addition of milk and fresh grass, they gain the necessary mass by 4 weeks.
Features of cultivation
The low weight of goats (from 40 to 50 kg) makes keeping them profitable for the farmer. In addition, animals, thanks to their protruding front teeth, can graze in areas where grass has grown only 3-5 cm. Cows, by comparison, do not capture plants smaller than 10 cm.Goats can feed on almost any vegetation, which makes their breeding simple and affordable. In the event of a lack of hay and fresh grass, the animal will not refuse tree leaves (aspen, birch, willow, acacia), root crops, carrot tops, burdock, grain.
When a goat gave birth, it is better to immediately decide which kids will be raised for meat. Males are castrated, females do not need this procedure. The meat of castrati is tender, has no unpleasant odor, is juicy and is more saturated with microelements.
After birth, for the first 3-4 weeks, goats are given plenty of mother's milk. Then grain, whey, hay and plants are gradually introduced into the diet. Experienced farmers advise feeding young animals with bran for quick weight gain. Starting from 3 months, hay is left for the goats at night so that they do not get hungry.
In addition, animals must have round-the-clock access to clean drinking water. If livestock live in the building, daily cleaning and bedding is required.
From 4-5 months, grains can be introduced into the diet: barley, oats, crushed corn. This will give the meat a fat content. If the kids consume liquid food, whey or mash, it should be given warm. It is recommended to add a little s alt to the feed once a week to stimulate the appetite of the young.
Food plan for fattening meat goats based on the amount of product per day:
| Type of feed | 4-8 months | 9-13 months | 13-10 months |
| 1.1 L | 1.6 L | 2.0 L | |
| 0.16kg | 0.5kg | 0.35kg | |
| 0.6kg | 2kg | 1.1kg | |
| 2.85kg | - | 3.6kg |
Goat meat is considered a dietary product, despite the sufficient fat content. It is recommended for people who are overweight and have diseases of the cardiovascular system.
At what age are meat goats castrated
After reaching the age of 3-4 months, male hormones begin to be released into the blood of males. They degrade the quality of meat, make it tough and dry. In addition, a specific musky “aroma” is added. To avoid this, males are castrated at 2.5-3 months. This is the optimal period when the goat will easily undergo the operation and recover quickly.
Vulukhi gain weight faster and, slaughtered at 4 months of age, produce meat similar to the meat of wild individuals. For industrial sale, it is optimal to slaughter goats at 8-10 months.
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