₦airaland Forum

Made two more young ram purchases yesterday and I've already booked three young Uda ewe lambs.

Officially, I now have a lot more ruminant mouths to feed and care for. 🤦

Game face: ON. 💪🐑

My Recent Purchase #1

I took a gamble on buying a young adult Yankasa × Balami cross ram. I'll be calling him WAF.

My Observations

His backbone, hips and pelvic bones are quite prominent, which suggests he has lost a good amount of body condition.

His hooves are also overgrown and need trimming.

A Quick 5-Point Physical Health Check

Beginners, take note. This is a simple health check you can carry out on goats and sheep before buying them.

1. Eyes – ✅
No signs of severe anemia. I checked his lower eyelids using the FAMACHA method. Very pale eyelids usually indicate anemia, often caused by internal parasites. WAF's eyelids look normal.

2. Backbone – ❌
His body condition is poor. The prominent backbone suggests he may be carrying a heavy internal parasite burden or has been underfed.

3. Jaw – ✅
No bottle jaw, i.e swollen jaw, which is a good sign. I also checked his teeth to estimate his age, and he's < 2 years old.

4. Coat – ❌
His coat is rough and a little dirty, showing he hasn't been well cared for, although it still has some natural fullness.

5. Tail – ❌
The tail area is dirty, which may indicate diarrhea or poor hygiene. I also found signs of external parasites (mites and lice). I've already prepared him for a bath followed by an ectoparasite pour-on treatment.

1st step treatment plan

The next step is to deworm him and give him a multivitamin once a week for the next three weeks.

Despite his condition, one thing stood out; his appetite. He never stopped eating while I was observing him and that was the biggest reason I decided to take a chance on him.

With proper feeding, parasite control and good management, I'm hopeful WAF will make a full recovery.

My Background Story

I started as a livestock farm assistant and worked my way up to becoming a livestock farm supervisor over the course of 6 years at a somewhat mega livestock and vegetable crop farm located on the outskirts of the nation's capital. Those years gave me extensive hands-on experience and I am well-versed in practical livestock management.

Recently, I resigned from my job to focus full-time on growing my own livestock business (currently operating a temporary farmstead at my backyard) alongside a small agric supply shop business that I owned and I don't regret that decision one bit.

Throughout 2026, I'll be sharing valuable tips, practical insights and plenty of gems here for free.

By God's willing, 2027 is going to be an incredibly busy year for me. The only thing I may have time to do on this thread will be to post occasional pictures of my progress reports.

I'm also putting some finishing touches on my eBook (pertaining to running a commercial goat & sheep farming stuffs) because I don't want to rush it. It contains practical knowledge and real-world insights that very few people share, not even most livestock content creators on Facebook or many professionals in the livestock industry. It covers what it truly takes to start and run a serious livestock farming operation.

Although my experience extends beyond goats and sheep to other livestock such as cattle and pigs, etc. I don't want to overwhelm this thread by going beyond its intended scope. So, I'll do my best to keep my posts focused on goats and sheep, especially since that's what this thread is all about.

See you soon and keep winning.
An old photo of me in the farm 2yrs ago.

a cow, sheep or goat does not have four stomachs, but it will be coherent to say it has four chambers of the stomach.

Rumen✓
Reticulum✓
Omasum✓
Abomasum✓

The rainy season nightmare: 🤐
Don't wait for PPR to strike before taking action.

A routine PPR vaccination is far cheaper than treating an outbreak. Since PPR is a viral disease, there is no drug that completely kills the virus. Treatment only focuses on supportive care, NS fluids, antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections, pain relief, vitamins and good nutrition to help infected goats or sheep recover and reduce mortality.

Prevention is always better than treatment. Vaccinate your flock on schedule, strengthen your herd's immunity and save yourself from unnecessary veterinary expenses and avoidable losses.

Vaccinate today at a fraction of a cost and protect your investment tomorrow. Dm for support.

#fypシ゚viralシ #fypシ #fyp #love #viralphotochallenge #trendingnow #empirestatebuildingtrends #goatfarmers #livestockdiseaseoutbreak #ppr

It's encouraging to see Punch Newspaper spotlight the opportunities in small ruminant farming, with the right knowledge and management goat and sheep farming can create jobs, improve food security and build sustainable livelihoods.

The future of agriculture is bright, let's keep learning and growing.

https://punchng.com/youths-urged-to-embrace-sheep-goat-farming/

REPEATED ABORTIONS IN YOUR GOATS OR SHEEP? DON'T BLAME THE DOES ALONE

If your does or ewes keep losing pregnancies, don't rush to replace them or blame bad luck. The problem could be your breeding buck or ram.

Diseases such as brucellosis can be spread by infected breeding males during mating, leading to abortions, weak newborn kids or lambs, infertility and significant economic losses.

However, remember that brucellosis is only one of several possible causes of repeated abortions. Other infectious diseases, poor nutrition, toxins and management issues can also be responsible.

If you notice repeated miscarriages in your herd or flock:

- Isolate animals that abort.
- Safely dispose of aborted fetuses and placentas.
- Have both the breeding male and affected females examined and tested by a veterinarian.
- Don't guess, diagnose the real cause before making costly decisions.

A healthy breeding buck or ram is the foundation of a productive herd or flock, but good reproductive health starts with proper disease prevention, biosecurity and timely diagnosis.

Have you ever experienced repeated abortions in your goats or sheep? What was the cause and how did you solve it?

Share your experience below, your story could help another livestock farmer.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL AFTER KIDDING TO FEED YOUR DOES OR EWES WELL!

The last 2 to 3 weeks before kidding or lambing are among the most important stages of pregnancy. During this period, the unborn kids or lambs grow rapidly, while the udder prepares for colostrum and milk production.

Gradually increasing the energy and protein in the diet ("steaming up" helps support:
- Better colostrum production
- Higher milk yield after birth
- Stronger, healthier kids or lambs
- Reduced risk of pregnancy toxemia (especially in animals carrying twins or triplets)
- Better recovery after kidding or lambing

Increase concentrates gradually, provide quality forage, clean water and adequate minerals. Avoid sudden feed changes and don't overfeed, maintaining the right body condition is the goal.

Stop This Practice!

Tying a stick across a goat's mouth to force continuous chewing is not a reliable treatment for bloat. While chewing can stimulate saliva which naturally helps buffer the rumen. It cannot relieve moderate to severe bloat or remove trapped gas.

Delaying proper treatment can cost the animal its life.

The right approach:
1- Feed plenty of roughage to help prevent bloat.
2- Treat early with an anti-bloat agent or liquid paraffin when appropriate.
3- Walk the animal if it's a mild case.
4- If it's a severe or life-threatening bloat seek urgent veterinary care or perform emergency decompression only if you are trained.

Prevention saves more animals than myths. Always rely on proven livestock management practices and not unverified shortcuts.

how do you tell the estimated age of goat or sheep by merely looking at its teeth

Vitamin AD3E Injection can be a very hard-to-find vet drug in Nigeria.

Why It Matters in Livestock?

Vitamin AD3E is a must-have for healthy animals. It gives them 3 key vitamins in one shot:

1. Vitamin A: Keeps eyes, skin and fertility strong. Helps prevent night blindness and weak kids/lambs.

2. Vitamin D3: Helps bones grow well. Stops rickets and weak legs, especially in young animals.

3. Vitamin E: Boosts immunity and fertility. Prevents weak newborns and muscle problems.

Livestock farmers all over the world use it for: Poor feed, rainy season, after sickness, before breeding and for weak or stressed animals.

Super Napier cuttings
Now available in bulk
affordable pasture grass suitable for livestock feeding program. Can be harvested multiple times a year for 7-9 yrs.

high crude protein (10-18%) and low crude fiber (20-23%), which ensures maximum palatability and optimal digestibility for dairy cows, beef cattle, goats and sheep.

As a beginner goat farmer, going to the market to buy your goats for breeding is a terrible idea, I'm letting you in on a little secret, everyone ( sellers ) normally pick their worst goats from the farm or homestead to sell at the market.

It is advisable you visit the farmer or goat breeder in his homestead and select the best and performing goat breed then strike a good deal... Genetic selection is the core foundation of any successful livestock farm.

f1 kalahari-cross kids
pure kalahari red buck x local doe = bigger, faster-growing & stronger goats.

Nigerian goat breeders: cross 1 kalahari red buck with your local does. You get meat, money & hardy kids in 1 generation.

Upgrade your herd. Increase your profit (some urban buyers pay premium for big, healthy cross-goats at the market).

#KalahariRed #sahelian-cross #sokotored #GoatFarmingNigeria #goViral #highlights
#successfulgoatkids

Too much boiled rice or grain concentrates all the time will make your goat or sheep sick (thiamine deficiency problem) see photo attached. with this disease problem goat or sheep can die in 5-7 days if left untreated.

You’ll either have to slaughter it fast or pay big money for vet treatment.

Feed more grass and hay. That’s what keeps them healthy.
Less grain, more grass.
That’s the golden rule to a successful goat / sheep farming operation.

#goviral #FYI #Livestockfarming2026

The rainy season brings plenty of feed and water, but it also increases the risk of disease outbreaks on the farm. Wet floors, muddy pens and dirty water can spread; infections, foot rot, mastitis and other health problems.

For small goat and sheep farms, zinc sulfate is often the most practical and safest choice for regular footbath programs, while copper sulfate may be reserved for more severe hoof disease problems.

Good drainage, dry bedding, hoof trimming, and quarantine of affected animals remain just as important as the footbath itself.

BEST & EFFECTIVE WAY TO DEWORM YOUR GOATS & SHEEP (THAT ACTUALLY WORKS).

You’ve dewormed your animals, but they’re not gaining weight, still getting sick or even dying?
Before you blame the drug, pls read this.

COMMON MISTAKE :

Most farmers deworm immediately after feeding.
straight up bad idea oooo.
If the animal’s stomach is full, the worms stay active and may resist the drug.
You’re not deworming oooh, you’re just feeding the worms.

CORRECT DEWORMING METHOD :

Before Deworming:
Withhold feed for 4–6 hours (give water only).
This weakens the worms and increases drug effectiveness.

After Deworming:
Wait 1–2 hours before feeding
Start with light feed (e.g., bran or dry hay)
Avoid heavy or energy-dense feed immediately.

Next Day Routine:
Resume normal feeding.
Add multi-vitamins or a little palm oil for recovery support.

Deworming is not just about the drug, albendazole, ivermectin, etc. It’s about timing and preparation. Pls note: do not give albendazole during early stage of pregnancy as it could lead to some serious complication.

make sure ivermectin ( deworming inj. ) is administered by a Vet doctor because it's a strong medication as incorrect dosage could cause abortion of your pregnant does or dams.

Saw this post somewhere so I decided to share

Starting with 10 goats vs 10 sheep — what every farmer must know

Two farmers start the same journey.

Same capital.
Same land.
Same dream.

One buys 10 goats.
The other buys 10 sheep.

One year later… their stories are completely different.

Let’s talk about what really happens on the ground.

Reproduction — speed matters

Goats don’t waste time.

- They reproduce faster
- Twins are very common
- Triplets are not rare

Sheep are slower.

- Mostly single births
- Twins happen, but not as often

If your goal is quick multiplication, goats take the lead.

Feeding — the hidden cost

Goats are survivors.

- They browse (eat leaves, shrubs, anything green)
- Can thrive even in tougher conditions

Sheep are grazers.

- They depend heavily on grass
- When pasture is poor, they struggle

If your area has limited pasture, goats will save you stress.

Management — who is easier?

Sheep are simpler.

- Calm
- Easy to control
- Move as a group

Goats? Wah… goats will test your patience.

- Jumping fences
- Escaping
- Eating what they shouldn’t

If you don’t have strong fencing, goats will humble you.

Market — where is the money?

Both have demand, but it depends on timing.

Goats:

- High demand in many local markets
- Good prices during festive seasons

Sheep:

- Strong demand during specific religious seasons
- Can fetch premium prices at the right time

Smart farmers don’t just rear… they study the market.

Growth strategy — numbers vs value

Goats give you numbers faster.
Sheep can give you quality value per animal.

So the question becomes:

Do you want fast expansion?
Or controlled, premium growth?

The truth most farmers ignore

It’s not about goats vs sheep.

It’s about:

- Your feeding system
- Your market access
- Your management discipline

Because even with the “better” animal…

A careless farmer will still fail.

Final lesson

Start with 10 goats or 10 sheep…

But don’t stop at numbers.

- Track breeding
- Control feeding
- Study your market
- Build proper structures

That’s how small beginnings turn into serious agribusiness.

we are neck deep into the rainy season, be careful out there as your goat or sheep may be highly susceptible to foot rot, respiratory illnesses and parasitic infections.

Lunch...
They eat straight to their fermentation tank (Rumen) next stop the reticulum.

I came across this 2024 post by a Ugandan goat farmer, so I decided to repost here.

How to Start a Goat Farm.

I recently shared Benefits and Challenges involved in Goat Farming and many people kept asking for help on how to start; Well below is a write up to give you an idea.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Research and planning:

a) After Conceiving the idea to start, endeavor to Learn and research about goat breeds, their characteristics, and suitability for your region.
b) Define your farm's mission, goals, and target market.
c) Create a business plan, including budget, resources, and marketing strategies you will use when you start the project.

2. Know the number of goats you’re going to raise: for this case, the maximum number of goats you want to raise. This will be very useful when buying land in terms of quantity.
In addition, know what you want to do with the goats. Is it for meat, breeding or for wool.

3. Land and infrastructure: Acquire suitable land for grazing and housing. Swampy areas should be avoided by all means as goats hate watery places. The amount of land to purchase will depend on the number of goats you want to raise.
If you can, fencing will be highly beneficial.

4: Plant Pastures; Goat Diet and Nutrition is very very important in goat farming. Once you fail at this then you have failed at the business because your goats rely on this not just for survival but for their well being. Among the grasses you should plant include;

Sugar Nappier / Pakchong 1,
Alfalfa, Caliandra, Velvet Beans, Lab lab, Mombasa Grass, Bracalia Molato among others.

5: Construction:
After getting the land, construction of goat houses, toilet, workers house and any other facilities relevant to the project should be done.

Digging of a borehole or shallow well is crucial at this stage to ensure access to clean water and pasture.

6. Purchase high-quality goats:
Buying healthy goats from reputable breeders or suppliers is an aspect no farmer should neglect.
Consider factors like age, breed, and reproductive status but most importantly go with your Experienced Vet.

7: Nutrition and health: Provide balanced feed and clean water.

Establish a vaccination and parasite control program. Monitor health regularly and seek veterinary care when needed.

8. Breeding and reproduction: Develop a breeding plan to improve genetics and productivity. Learn about reproductive management and kidding care. Remember this is where your profits are. So if you don’t handle it with care, failure is your destiny.

9. Managing Kids: this is a very important part. Your kids are your profits. Manage them with a lot of caution

10: Marketing and sales:
Identify your target market (meat, dairy, or breeding stock).
Develop a marketing strategy (online, local markets, etc.). Establish relationships with buyers and suppliers.

11: Ongoing management and learning:
Continuously monitor and improve farm operations.
Attend workshops, conferences, and online courses to stay updated.

Remember to adapt these steps to your local context and seek guidance from experienced goat farmers near you. Good luck with your venture.

Kenyan goat farmers are increasingly improving the genetics of their herds by procuring high-quality buck semen doses from the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC). Through artificial insemination (AI), farmers can access superior dairy goat genetics without the cost of purchasing and maintaining expensive breeding bucks. This technology is helping to boost milk production, improve breed quality and increase the profitability of goat farming across Kenya.

All for N5,800 given the current exchange rate per dose of superior buck semen.

seunowa:
God will bless you in all your endeavors. You really give me joy....

I'm still active and thank you very much for your kind words

FAMACHA scoring is a simple but important skill every goat owner should learn. It helps you check for anemia by looking at the color inside your goat’s lower eyelid.

Pale eyelids usually mean anemia and anemia is often caused by parasites like barber-pole worms, but not always.
Other things like poor nutrition or sickness can cause it too.

The best way to stay on top of parasite problems is to use FAMACHA + run a fecal test. FAMACHA tells you which goats look anemic right now. The fecal test tells you what kind of worms they have and how many. Together they keep your goats healthy and stop you from deworming when it’s not needed.

You can check FAMACHA score card any time, but aim for every three weeks. Check more often during rainy season or warm months that’s when barber pole worms are worst.

But the question is, If you have over 15 to 100 goats, how would you carry out this test > perhaps we run group testing on them all lol.

HOW TO DETERMINE A GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE GOAT BEFORE BUYING

CHECK BODY SIZE AND FRAME: A productive goat should have a strong and well balanced body structure. Look for a broad chest, deep body, straight back and strong legs. A good frame often indicates good growth potential, better feed utilization and strong breeding ability. Avoid goats that appear weak, stunted or poorly developed.

CHECK AGE FOR PEAK PRODUCTIVITY: Choose goats that are within their most productive years. Does are usually most productive between 1 and 6 years of age, while healthy bucks can remain productive for longer. Buying animals that are too young delays production, while older animals may have declining fertility and performance. Always ask for the animal's age or birth records.

INSPECT REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS: For does, check that the udder is well formed, free from lumps, and has healthy teats. For bucks, ensure both testicles are present, equal in size, and firm. Swelling, injuries or abnormalities can affect fertility and future productivity.

REVIEW BREEDING RECORDS: Ask about previous kidding history. Productive does should kid regularly, raise healthy kids and show good mothering ability. Consistent breeding performance is a better indicator of productivity than appearance alone.

EVALUATE GROWTH RATE: Compare the goat's size with its age. Fast growing goats often come from superior genetics and make better breeding or meat production stock. Good growth is a sign of efficient feed conversion and strong performance.

OBSERVE ALERTNESS AND ACTIVITY: Healthy and productive goats are active, curious, and responsive to their surroundings. Avoid goats that appear dull, weak or constantly isolated from the group, as these may be signs of poor health.

CHECK FEEDING HABITS: If possible, observe how the goat feeds. Productive goats usually have a good appetite and maintain body condition well. Poor feeding behavior can affect growth, reproduction and overall farm performance.

INSPECT COAT AND OVERALL HEALTH: A healthy goat should have a smooth, shiny coat, bright eyes and clean skin. Rough hair, excessive scratching, wounds or signs of parasites may indicate health problems that can reduce productivity.

CONFIRM BREED SUITABILITY: Different goat breeds are suited for different purposes. Boer goats are popular for meat production, while breeds such as Saanen and Alpine are known for milk production. Ensure the breed matches your farming goal before buying.

SELLER REPUTATION AND HONESTY: Buy from trusted breeders with a good reputation for producing healthy and productive animals. A reliable seller will provide honest information about age, health status, breeding history and management practices. Good breeding stock is an investment, so buy from sources you can trust.

Culled from Farmwell✍🏼

#goatfarm
#livestock
#farmanimals
#goatfarming

RKTexpert:
Deworming drug for ruminants, albenor 250
1 tablet for 4...some choose to deworm monthly or every 6 weeks. We don't want intestinal worms sucking up all the nutrients, thus hindering growth and preventing weight gains.

Commonly used dewormers in goat | Fenbendazole | Albendazole & Ivermectin
#deworming #GOAT

I sold off all the mothers of my WAD goats with the entire offsprings of the black female goat gone and I'm now left with these three F1, F2 siblings from the white WAD mother goat and a female sheep.

As I can't afford to go for Kalahari red at the moment, I might just invest in some couple of male sheep hopefully.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) in goats is often a sign of pain, stress or discomfort.

Other possible causes include:
Fracture or severe sprain of the affected leg.
Deep tissue bruising / joint injury.
Stress from transportation / a new environment / dehydration or reduced feed intake.
Less commonly, it could be digestive problems or illness.

Next time you see your goat grinding its teeth do not mistake it for normal regurgitation or chewing of the cud, just try and observe closely and please rest assured that you know the root cause.

guiltless:
Well done Op.
Bravo!
I've. Been following the thread since inception and I must say, I've really learnt so much from your wealth of experience.

Currently gathering my funds to start shooting my shoots, maximally into livestock farming .

Please still keep up the good works.

Gracias🙏

matuskyoo7:
How do you sell the Alfa alafa seed ?...and your location ?

dm me for serious biz enquiry.