A study on backyard goat farming in Bagatipara Upazilla, Natore, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was undertaken to investigate the performance of goats and livelihood generated through backyard goat rearing at nine different villages namely Pacuria, Batikamari, Taltola, Bagatipara, Dayarampur, Boropukuria, Sonapur, Misripara, Tunipara under the Bagatipara Upazilla in Natore District, Bangladesh from March to May 2021. The data uses a pre-configured questionnaire containing information on livestock, age, sexual maturity, litter size, weight, gestation period, housing system, grazing, breeding objectives, vaccination and deworming history and production record. The average weight of males and females was 12.36 kg and 20.35 kg, respectively. The number of litters of goats was 2 to 3 and the lactation period was 64.5 days. The average milk yield of goats was 33.9 kg per lactation period, while the average milk yield per goat per day was 0.570kg. A few numbers of farmers (25%) used vaccination and practiced de-worming (75%) their goats. All goats were reared by the semi-intensive system. In the winter season, they provided bedding materials usually straw at night. Farmers used green grass (100%) and supplied water by using a deep tube well. Most of the farmers provided to goat concentrate feed about (200-300) grams per day. The housing, feeding and breeding were maintained in most of the farms, but the healthcare and biosecurity were not up to the mark.