Goat Fattening for Market — 90-Day Programme
A practical goat fattening guide for smallholder farmers. Covers selection of feeder goats, housing, supplementary feeding with locally available ingredients, health management, and marketing to sell at optimal weight during peak price periods (Eid, Christmas, Easter).
Dr. Mary Achieng
DVM, University of Nairobi; MSc Livestock Production Systems, Egerton University
16 years experience
Dr. Mary Achieng is a veterinarian and livestock systems specialist with deep expertise in dairy cattle management, goat production, and ruminant nutrition. She has provided extension services to over 5,000 farmers in Nakuru, Nandi, and Uasin Gishu counties and has coordinated AI (artificial insemination) programs that improved milk production by 40% in participating herds.
Sample Schedule (First 2 Weeks)
Goat Selection & Purchase
Select male goats (wethers or intact males) of 15–20 kg live weight for best fattening response. Galla, Boer crossbred, or Somali breeds fatten fastest. Examine teeth, body condition, and check for lameness or nasal discharge before buying.
Housing Preparation
Prepare a raised slatted-floor pen (1 m² per goat). Slats prevent faecal contact, reducing internal parasite reinfestation. Ensure shade, clean water access, and predator protection.
Quarantine & Initial Health Treatment
Quarantine new goats for 7 days before mixing with existing stock. On Day 1: deworm with Albendazole (5 mg/kg BW), spray with acaricide, and vaccinate against PPR if not previously vaccinated.
Baseline Weight
Weigh all goats on Day 5 after settling. This is your reference weight. Weigh every 2 weeks to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Target ADG: 80–120 g/day.
Establish Feeding Programme
Provide: 1.5 kg dry weight Napier/hay + 0.5 kg dairy meal or maize bran + 0.2 kg cotton seed cake per goat per day. Split into 2 feeds. Always offer water ad libitum.
Introduce Molasses Supplementation
Mix molasses with water (1:4) in a lick bucket. Molasses provides energy, improves palatability of dry feeds, and supplies some B-vitamins. Budget: KES 5–10 per goat per day.
Two-Week Weigh-in
Weigh all goats. Expected gain: 0.8–1.0 kg (ADG 57–71 g/day). Identify slow gainers — they may have undetected worm burden or disease. Weigh before morning feed.
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Full 90-day program
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