How to make money from goats uk
The quality of the cashmere fleece is determined by three factors: The American cashmere industry promotes high standards in regards to raising good healthy animals bearing exceptionally good cashmere fiber.
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Feral goats from Australia, and Spanish meat goats from the American Southwest, selected for fiber traits, form the basis of the American cashmere goat industry. The guard hair may be long or short depending on individual situations and preferences, but the guard hair should be coarse enough that a mechanical dehairer can easily distinguish it from cashmere.
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Traditionally, cashmere goats are not de-horned. Both male and female goats have horns, which serve to dissipate heat during the summer, and make excellent handles when working with the animals. Most of the hair on a cashmere goat is guard hair. The downy undercoat is the cashmere. Either of two methods are used to harvest the cashmere fleece — shearing or combing. Sheared fleece contains considerably more guard hair than combed fleece.
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No matter which method is used, the harvested fleece must be dehaired in order to remove the guard hair. The average cashmere yield from one goat amounts to about four ounces annually, but there is a wide range of variation in yield. Cashmere fiber is crimped rather than wavy , soft, and lacking luster.
A micron is one-millionth of a meter a meter is about a yard , so each fiber is very, very fine. For comparison, a human hair can range from 17 to microns in diameter. Pashmina shawls are made of a fiber blend of cashmere and silk. Most cashmere breeders find a tendency to produce cashgora undesirable in their goats. Goats are herd animals and become extremely unhappy when they are alone.
A goat does make a good companion for a horse, however!
Learn as much as you can about the animals. Try to visit as many farms as possible to see a variety of animals and styles of goat management. If you visit during kidding time, usually early Spring, be forewarned that there is nothing more appealing than a baby goat!
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Look for healthy, alert animals that move easily on sound legs and are well fleshed out. Take time to feel the animals. Check to see if the teeth meet the dental pad squarely and that the relevant reproductive parts are properly formed.
Learn to recognize cashmere: Decide on what kind of guard hair will work best for your situation and personal preferences. Be certain that you and the seller agree on the terms of the sale. To back up a step, you obviously must have a place for the goats to live.
Generally, peripheral fencing of woven wire having about six inch openings works well. A single strand of electrified wire about eight inches above the ground outriggers will prevent kids from getting their heads stuck while reaching for the greener grass on the other side of the fence.
Five strands of electric fencing, sheep fencing, existing fences can be upgraded by installing an electric outrigger — but talk to five different goat owners and you will get five different suggestions! Each farmer has his or her own favorite kind of fencing. Although cashmere goats are rugged and adaptable and can survive with minimal housing, they need shelter from wind and wet weather.
A clean, dry barn or shed can prevent hoof problems, internal parasite problems, and kidding losses due to hypothermia or frostbite. A three sided shed affords an effective wind break and keeps their bedding straw dry.
Hoof trimming and parasite control are important parts of goat management, although frequency of worming and trimming depends on climate and terrain. Parasite control is more frequently needed if pastures are not rotated and there is egg buildup in the soil.
Try to find a vet nearby who is familiar with small ruminants, since there will be times you need a professional such as emergency situations. Actually, goats are discriminating eaters, often plunging into an offering of hay to find just the tastiest piece. Goats eat pasture and browse in the summer; they eat hay in the winter.
A good pasture will support about five goats per acre. A rough estimate of hay consumption is one square bale per head per week. With an available supply of fresh clean water, an occasional supplement of grain especially in periods of extreme cold or stress, during rutting and prior to kidding and during lactation , and a small amount of mineral supplements, these animals will thrive.
On this website you will find CGA members who will be happy to give you more information. Pick a starting point, and get busy — your cashmere goats are waiting!