Angora Goat Management Plan
ANGORA GOAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
Angora goat farming and Mohair production is an economic activity which does not take place in a social/ethical vacuum and as such must be compliant with acceptable social and ethical norms and standards in conjunction with animal welfare and land management as set out in the Responsible Mohair Standards (RMS).
Every farm will differ in its management plan with variations in land use (pastures and veld), mating (kidding), shearing and husbandry procedures. This Management Plan is intended as a guideline only (informative, educational). Speak to your livestock advisor, accredited shearing agents as well as your local vet when more detailed advice is required.
The welfare of the Angora goat is critical and minimising stress during management procedures on the farm will go a long way to increasing the production and improving the health of the Angora goat.
For more information on reducing stress on the farm see https://www.angoras.co.za/article/stress-in-angora-goats#329 as well as the protocols for handling of goats as available in the Management plan set out below.
It is important to be able to do a basic health check on the Angora goat and recognise health related problems. (How to do a basic health check see https://www.angoras.co.za/article/health-check-on-angora-goats#338).
With any farm management plan the biosecurity of your farm is important in providing a disease free environment for your Angora goats. (For information on biosecurity and what it entails see https://www.angoras.co.za/page/biosecurity#92)
The MANAGEMENT PLAN comes with links to the SAMGA Website which has information on disease, nutrition, reproduction, drugs, vaccination, parasite control and various husbandry procedures and protocols which producers might find interesting or useful.
Click here to download a printable version of the Angora Goat Management Plan. (pdf)
JANUARY
04 - Crutch Kids
04 - Second vaccinate of kids before castration (pulpy kidney, pasteurella, klem-in-die-kaak)
- See best practice video on how to inject goats
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-inoculation
- What are the vaccination options and what cover is provided?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/clostridium-and-pasteurella-vaccines-update or https://www.angoras.co.za/page/vaccine_cover_1st_addition#116
- Vaccine handling guidance:
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/vaccine_handling#114
05 - Dip goats with an Angora wash (pre-shearing preparation)
- See best practice video on dipping
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-dipping
- See SAMGA Guidelines regarding the use of Washes:
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/dipping-guidelines-washing-of-angoras-goats#277
11 - Shearing season start (summer clip)
- See best practice video on shearing
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-shearing
- Why are goats more susceptible to the cold in summer than winter, the importance of shelter during cold snaps after shearing?
- See impact of Shearing on reproduction:
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/impact-of-shearing-on-reproduction#337
19 - Class young replacement ewes
- See selection of replacement ewes (body weight)
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/selection-for-body-weight-in-angora-kids-and-young-goats#281
- What are the Repeatability and Heritability of certain traits on Angora goats?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/repeatability-and-heritbility-of-angora-goat-traits#280
19 - Vaccinate replacement ewes for Rift Valley Fever
19 - Commence supplementary feeding of replacement ewes (target weight for mating +28kg)
22 - Dose kids with vitamin and mineral supplement
- See best practice video on dosing
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-dosing
- What options are there for Mineral and Vitamin combinations?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/list-of-mineral-and-vitamin-supplements#171
- Check faecal samples especially kids (dose as required)
25 - Veld ram auctions start
FEBRUARY:
17 - Wean kids (+/- 4,5 months old)
17 - Feed kids after weaning
- Weaning and first 18 months
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/weaning_and_the_first_18_months#46
18 - Class out old ewes and excess stock
- Apart from teeth what effect does age have on reproduction?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/ewe-age-effect-on-reproduction#291
18 - Dose ewes and rams for parasites (round worm, nasal worms) (6 weeks before mating)
- Check faecal samples especially kids, as well as rams and ewes 6 weeks before mating. Treat as required.
18 - Dose ewes with vitamin and mineral supplement
- Is it beneficial to supplement mineral and vitamins?
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/vitamin-and-mineral-supplements-requirements-for-angora-goats#122
MARCH:
01 - Start supplementary / flush feeding of rams and ewes in preparation for mating
- Does flush feeding make a difference?
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/flush_feeding#42
15 - Dip kids and young goats with an Angora wash (pre-shearing preparation)
- Dipping guidelines
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-dipping
22 - Shear kids and young goats (6 months)
- Shearing guidelines
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-shearing
22 - Dose kids (tape worm)
- Check faecal samples - especially kids. Treat as indicated
- See tapeworm and treatment options:
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/tapeworm#28
- See the impact of roundworms and coccidiosis on kids
- See the management of Coccidiosis on farms:
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/coccidiosis#29
- See Resistance to Anthelmintic (roundworm treatment) and management strategies:
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/roundworm-management-strategies-in-angora-goats#241
- Why are combination doses better?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/combination-doses-better#240
- What Anthelmintics (doses) are available and what drug classification groups do they fall under? List of options:
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/anthelmintic_drug_list#38
29 - Crutch ewes before mating
30 - Market mohair clip
APRIL:
01 - Mating season starts. Put rams with ewes. (8 weeks) (3% rams)
- Teaser rams (for producers that use teasers). What is the benefit of using teaser rams?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/teaser-rams#172
- Angora goat ewe oestrus cycles
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/oestrus_and_mating_in_angora_goats#49
- The possible effect of lucerne on fertility
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/mating_on_lucerne_lands_can_reduce_fertility#112
MAY:
28 - Take rams out from ewes (2 Cycles + 2 weeks)
- See managing the pregnant ewe
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/managing-the-pregnant-ewe#176
JUNE:
01 - Dip animals for external parasites (pour-on for pregnant ewes recommended)
- Dipping guidelines
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-dipping
- See the impact of lice
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/rooiluise#30
22 - Crutch kids
JULY:
01 - It is important to feed late pregnant ewes
- Importance of feeding the late pregnant and lactating ewe
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/pregnant_and_lactating_ewe#47
- Is it economical to feed the ewes?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/feeding-ewes-in-good-seasons-is-it-economical#284
- What are the possible causes of abortions?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/abortion-in-angora-goats#276
06 - Dip goats with an Angora wash (pre-shearing preparation) (do not dip pregnant ewes)
- Dipping guidelines
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-dipping
13 - Shearing season starts, adults and young goats (winter clip)
- Shearing guidelines
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-shearing
- See what the effect shearing has on reproduction
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/impact-of-shearing-on-reproduction#337
13 - Inoculate ewes (pulpy kidney, pasteurella) (4 - 6 weeks before kidding)
- Injection guidelines
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-inoculation
13 - Dose goats with vitamin and mineral supplement (4 - 6 weeks before kidding)
- Treat Ewes with Vitamins + Minerals 4-6 weeks before kidding. This is the most important time to supplement.
13 - Dose ewes for parasites (general broad spectrum)
- Check faecal samples of ewes
- See the impact of roundworms in late pregnant and lactating ewes (Peri- parturient relaxation of resistance)
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/managing-the-pregnant-ewe#176
20 - Minimal handling of pregnant ewes (late pregnancy)
Kidding starts, monitor closely
- See difficult births
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/dystocia-difficult-births#183
- What are the causes of birth abnormalities?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/birth-abnormalities-in-angora-kids#296
Ongoing vermin control
AUGUST:
Kidding
- For producers that use kidding pens
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/lamhokke#156
- To treat the weak and cold kids
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/the-weak-and-cold-hypothermic-angora-kid#245
- Raising orphaned kids ‘hansies’ see
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/hand-rearing-hansies-orphaned-angora-kids#184
01 - Start supplementary feeding of ewes for milk production (1 month)
- Effect of milk production on kid survival
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/milk-production-by-the-angora-ewe#303
01 - Minimal handling of pregnant ewes (late pregnancy)
03 - Market mohair clip
Ongoing vermin control
SEPTEMBER:
Kidding
- See factors affecting kid mortality
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/kid-mortality#292
01 - Extra attention on ewes during the kidding season
13 - Dip kids with an Angora wash (pre-shearing preparation)
20 - Shear kids (6 months)
Ongoing Vermin Control
OCTOBER:
11 - Crutch ewes
Ongoing vermin control
NOVEMBER:
15 - Ram sales start
22 - Castrate ram kids / tag kids (8 weeks old)
- See Guidelines on castration
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/how-to-perform-a-castration-on-angora-goat#297
- See Guidelines on Burdizzo
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/castration-burdizzo#336
29 - Dose kids (tape worm / broad spectrum)
- See information on tapeworm in kids
https://www.angoras.co.za/application/storage/upload/tapeworm_in_angora_kids.pdf
- See the options for treatment (Benzimidazoles, Halogenated Salicyclanalides and Isoquinolones)
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/anthelmintic_drug_list#38
DECEMBER:
01 - First vaccination of kids (pulpy kidney, pasteurella, klem-in-die-kaak)
- At what age can I vaccinate the kids?
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/when_to_vaccinate#115
- Must I vaccinate against Rift Valley Fever?
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/rift-valley-fever-rvf-vaccinating-maiden-ewes-each-year#325
06 - Inoculate ewes (enzootic abortion)
- What is enzootic abortion?
https://www.angoras.co.za/page/abortion-enzootic-abortion#144
07 - Dip goats for external parasites
- Dipping guidelines
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/sa-mohair-industry-best-practice-dipping
13 - Treat kids for Coccidiosis if required
- Check faecal samples Treat as required
Wean kids (4.5 months old)
- Feeding weaned Kids
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/feeding-weaned-angora-kids-the-effect-of-different-feeds#295
- See growth rate of Angora Kids
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/growth-rate-of-angora-kids#279
- See effects of weaning on the ewe
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/weaning-the-angora-goat-ewe#322
- See effects of weaning shock
https://www.angoras.co.za/article/weaning-shock-in-angora-goat-kids#321
THIS MANAGEMENT PLAN IS INTENDED TO BE A GUIDELINE AND A SOURCE OF INFORMATION ONLY.
Dr Mackie Hobson
SAMGA Vet
