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How to minimize weather-induced deaths in your Boer Goats |
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Winter’s cold nights and frosty mornings require breeders to take preventative measures to avoid weather-induced deaths in their goats
Added to this is the chance of heavy and continuous rain in some areas of the State. Even those breeders still struggling through drought conditions should be proactive to avoid winter deaths of goats and kids.
Why should breeders take note of sudden weather changes?
Boer goats have less grease in their fleece than fleece sheep and even less than feral goats and Boer crosses or the fleece goats such as cashmere and angora, so they have much less insulation.
In addition, their low fibre density (less fleece) allows them to become saturated more easily in heavy rain and lets the cold air and wind penetrate their skin very quickly. For this reason, there is no doubt that continuous and heavy rain is a major factor in the death of goats from cold stress.
It is also worth noting that goats, compared to other animals such as sheep, have a smaller given body mass at any age so they are less capable of tolerating extreme weather conditions.
Recognising these facts is the first step in managing the herd.
When weather forecasts indicate inclement weather, try and ensure goats have access to shelter or at least adequate tree protection and gullies for protection from the winds. Goats can be trampled when rushing to get out of rain so shelters should be large enough to avoid suffocation.
Even when shelter is provided, goats can be caught in open paddocks with a sudden and unexpected severe storm and be squashed along the fence lines.
The farm stocking rate and body condition of the goat will also affect the survival rate of adult goats. It is a known fact that goats in poor condition are able to survive better in extreme weather conditions when they are on a farm with a low stocking density.
If goats have been weakened as a result of long periods of drought, special precautions will be necessary when the weather changes to avoid hypothermia. This is most important as many breeders planning their kidding regimes to take advantage of the new Spring growth for the kids at weaning.
What can you do to minimise weather-induced deaths?
- Be aware of weather reports for you area, particularly ‘ sheep grazier warnings’.
- Ensure goats have either fixed shelter or sufficient vegetative protection for extreme conditions.
- Move goats to other protected paddocks if necessary.
- Assess body condition of goats and if in drought area, reduce stocking rate for the winter season.
- If possible bring does and kids to sheltered areas if weather forecasts indicate extreme conditions.
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