DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2018.v05i08.006

Pages: 458-462

Abstract: A survey was conducted to investigate the features of goat farming in Eravur and Vantharumoolai veterinary ranges in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was designed and 200 goat farmers were randomly interviewed. The data were coded, entered in Microsoft Excel and transferred into SPSS for analysis. Farmers exhibited limited knowledge on goat farming and improved management. They reared goats mainly for commercial purpose. Heard size was generally 11-20 and majority of the farmers kept indigenous and cross breeds of goats. Farmers reared goats mostly for meat purpose in both veterinary ranges and 5% of the farmers from Vanthrumoolai range reared goats for milk purpose. All the framers in both range used proper housing systems foe goats. Semi-intensive system of goat rearing was practiced by 70% of the farmers in Eravur range and 42.5% of the framers in Vantharumoolai range. Natural breeding was the prominent method of breeding in both ranges (100%). In Eravur and Vantharumoolai ranges goats were allowed to graze for more than 8 hours sper day and fodder tree, fodder grass, concentrate and crop residues were used as feed sources in both ranges. In Eravur and Vantharumoolai ranges 92.5% and 97.5% of the meat was sold to middle man respectively. Veterinary service was good and adequate for both ranges and there are some constrains in both ranges.