Boer goats were raised to be able to survive in dry weather. Developed in Southern Africa, they are a hardy breed and can live on browsing and foraging plants. They also grow fast and have extended breeding periods.

These animals were developed to be easy to raise and breed. They also produce high quality meat and produce muscular carcasses. These are the reasons why farmers want to raise and breed Boer goats. Boers can guarantee a high profit for a substantial investment.

Of course, one way to ensure that the investment is secure is to take care of the animals properly. This can be done by taking care of the goats’ health.

PARASITES

Boer goats were unable to develop an immunity to parasites as other breeds have. This is because parasites could not survive the dry climate of South Africa. This can lead to worms infecting the liver, lungs and digestive track of the animals.

Haemonchus Contortus

Haemonchus Contortus is a worm that causes anemia. To preserve the goats’ health from this disease, their mucus membranes need to be checked regularly. Look at the flesh around the eyes and check if they are overly pale.

There is a FAMACHA system that allows the breeders to check if the animal is still anemic. This is a color chart that owners can compare to the color of the mucus to make sure it isn’t too pale. Aside from diagnosing the presence of the worm, this can also help monitor if the medicine or dewormer is working properly.

Breeders should specifically check young kids and does who have recently given birth. It is advised to check their membranes once every 3 weeks to be able to catch the disease. Other symptoms include depression, lack of energy, not wanting to nurse and poor hair coats.

Coccidia

Goats who are a couple of weeks to a couple of months old are also prone to Coccidia. This is typically the time when goats’ healths are precarious. These worms live in the walls of the intestines. They can cause diarrhea and even lead to death. The symptoms for this disease are weakness, not wanting to nurse, lying down a lot, tiredness, and diarrhea. Check the fecal waste of the animals to see if there are worms present.

FOOT PROBLEMS

Boer goats are prone to hoof problems and infections. These are typically caused by being steeped in dirty surroundings and spread via waste matter. They can lead to some difficulty walking and, in extreme cases, lameness. Older boer goats are more prone to these diseases.

Foot Rot

Two organisms bring about this goats’ health problem. They infect the hoof and eat the wall and soft tissues. The organisms are unable to survive in the natural environment for long, but they can be spread via the feces of infected animals.

Infected goats tend to lie down, kneel or limp. The infected foot emits a foul smell and parts of it may appear rotten, soft, black, oozy or bloody. Goats that do not receive proper foot care easily get this disease.

Foot Scald

This disease is less severe than foot rot, because it only infects the skin between the toes. Infected foots have a foul odor and the skin becomes soft, swollen and cracked. They can also produce a cream-colored pus-like material.

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