Welcome to the technical standard for Dairy Goats.
In the harsh climate of the Gulf, success depends on selecting the right genetics and managing heat stress.
While European breeds (Saanen) offer high volume, they often collapse in our summer.
We prioritize the Damascus (Shami)—the "Holstein of the Desert"—and the Ardi for sustainable, high-solids milk production.
Murciana-granadina from Spain is another best option for dairy goat farmers of the region.
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The "Browser" Factor: Unlike cows or sheep, goats are selective browsers. They refuse dusty or fine feed. Our rations use pelleted concentrates or molasses-bound mash to prevent sorting and waste.
Water Salinity: Dairy goats have high tolerance for saline water (up to 2000 ppm TDS), but this increases mineral excretion. We adjust mineral packs to compensate.
Urinary Calculi: A major killer of male goats in the Gulf due to grain-heavy diets and dehydration. All male rations MUST maintain a 2:1 Calcium:Phosphorus ratio.
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Read the Disclaimer before blindly following these without a paid consultation.
Dairy Kids (Birth - Weaning)
The goal is to double the birth weight by weaning (8-10 weeks). Hygiene is critical; kids are highly susceptible to scours (diarrhea) in sandy environments.
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Housing Requirements
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Space: 0.3 - 0.4 m² per kid.
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Shade: 100% Solid Shade.
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Bedding: Raised slatted floors (plastic/wood) are preferred to keep them off hot/dirty sand. If sand is used, it must be cleaned daily.
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Ventilation: Critical. Ammonia at floor level kills kids fast.
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Nutritional Targets
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Protein: 18-22% (High growth).
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Energy: High (Fat in milk, Starch in starter).
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Colostrum: 10% of body weight in first 12 hours.
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Sample Ration: "Kid Starter"
Feed ad-libitum alongside Milk/Replacer from Week 2.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (grams) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Maize (Flaked) | 150g | 0.17 | Starch for rumen development. |
Soybean Meal | 80g | 0.18 | High quality muscle protein. |
Wheat Bran | 50g | 0.04 | Palatability & Texture. |
Molasses | 20g | 0.02 | Binder to reduce dust. |
Alfalfa Hay (Leafy) | 50g | 0.08 | Digestible fiber. |
Milk/Replacer | 1.0 - 1.5 Liters | 3 | Primary nutrition. |
Total Daily Cost | ~0.4 kg Feed | ~3.49 AED | Includes milk cost. |
Replacement Doelings (3 - 10 Months)
These are the future milkers.
Do not fatten them! Fat deposits in the developing udder (fatty udder syndrome) will ruin future milk production.
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Housing Requirements
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Space: 1.0 - 1.5 m² per head.
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Exercise: Goats need vertical structures (rocks/stumps) or space to climb/jump to build muscle tone.
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Water: 4-6 Liters/day.
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Nutritional Targets
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CP: 14-16%.
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Energy: Moderate (10 MJ ME/kg).
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Fiber: High. Goats need "scratch" factor.
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Sample Ration: Grower Mix
Target Gain: 120-150g/day.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Rhodes/Bermuda | 0.6 | 0.6 | Bulk fiber base. |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.4 | 0.66 | Calcium for bone growth. |
Barley (Whole) | 0.3 | 0.3 | Safe energy source. |
Wheat Bran | 0.25 | 0.21 | Phosphorus & Energy. |
Soybean Meal | 0.1 | 0.22 | Protein supplement. |
Total Daily Cost | 1.65 kg Feed | 1.99 AED | Controlled growth diet. |
Lactating Does (Early Lactation: 0-100 Days)
Damascus goats can peak at 4-5 kg milk/day. This requires an "athlete's diet". If energy is low, they will develop Ketosis (Pregnancy Toxemia) rapidly.
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Housing Requirements
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Space: 2.0 - 2.5 m² per doe.
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Cooling: Fans + Misters are mandatory if Temp > 35°C to keep DMI up.
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Feed Bunk: Elevated feeders (goats hate eating off the ground).
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Nutritional Targets
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CP: 16-18%.
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Energy: >11.5 MJ ME/kg.
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DMI: 4-5% of Body Weight (Very High Intake).
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Sample Ration: "Shami High-Yield"
Target Milk: 3.0 - 4.5 kg/day.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Alfalfa Hay | 1.5 | 2.48 | Premium forage (CP & Ca). |
Maize (Corn) | 0.6 | 0.66 | High energy starch. |
Barley | 0.5 | 0.5 | Sustained energy. |
Soybean Meal | 0.35 | 0.77 | Bypass protein for milk. |
Beet Pulp/Bran | 0.4 | 0.34 | Digestible fiber (prevents acidosis). |
Sunflower Seeds/Oil | 0.05 | 0.15 | Fat boost for energy in heat. |
Total Daily Cost | 3.40 kg Feed | 4.90 AED | Revenue: ~15-25 AED/day (Milk). |
Lactating Does (Mid-Late Lactation)
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As milk drops, reduce grain to prevent the doe from getting too fat. Over-conditioned goats have severe kidding problems (Dystocia).
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Nutritional Targets
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CP: 13-14%.
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Energy: Reduced. Shift ratio to forage.
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Sample Ration: Sustained Production
Target Milk: 1.5 - 2.0 kg/day.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Rhodes/Bermuda | 1 | 1 | Cheaper forage base. |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.8 | 1.32 | Maintenance protein. |
Barley | 0.4 | 0.4 | Energy. |
Wheat Bran | 0.4 | 0.34 | Filler & Palatability. |
Soybean Meal | 0.1 | 0.22 | Small protein top-up. |
Total Daily Cost | 2.70 kg Feed | 3.28 AED | Economic efficiency. |
Dry Does (Maintenance/Gestation)
The recovery phase. For Shami goats, limit feeding is key. They are efficient converters and will get fat on air.
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Housing Requirements
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Type: Open paddock with shade.
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Space: 3.0 m² per head.
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Sample Ration: Maintenance
Goal: Maintain Body Condition Score (BCS) 3.0.
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) | Nutritional Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Wheat Straw | 0.6 | 0.42 | Gut fill (low calorie). |
Rhodes Grass | 0.8 | 0.8 | Maintenance forage. |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.2 | 0.33 | Protein source. |
Wheat Bran | 0.2 | 0.17 | Mineral carrier. |
Total Daily Cost | 1.80 kg Feed | 1.72 AED | Low cost maintenance. |
Breeding Bucks (The Herd Sires)
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Shami bucks are large (80-100kg). The #1 issue in Gulf bucks is Urinary Calculi caused by high grain/low calcium diets.
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Nutritional Requirements
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Ammonium Chloride: Must be added to ration (0.5%) to acidify urine and dissolve stones.
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Zinc: 50-70 mg/kg for sperm quality.
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Ratio: Ca:P must be 2.5:1.
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Sample breeding Buck ration:
Ingredient | Daily Amt (kg) | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|
Rhodes/Bermuda | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Alfalfa Hay | 0.5 | 0.83 |
Barley | 0.3 | 0.3 |
Mineral Mix | 0.05 | 0.2 |
Total Daily Cost | 2.35 kg | 2.83 AED |
Summary
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Aarday strongly recommends the Damascus (Shami) breed.
While a Saanen might give 10% more milk in Europe, in the UAE summer (45°C), the Shami will continue producing while the Saanen often stops eating.
For milk composition (Cheese/Labneh), the Ardi is unbeatable with fat levels often exceeding 4.5%.
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The next best option is Murciana-granadina from Spain
Stage | Feed Cost | Expected Revenue (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
Kid (Milk Phase) | 3.5 | Investment |
Grower | 2 | Investment |
Doe (Peak Milk) | 4.9 | 15.00 - 25.00 (Milk + Cheese) |
Doe (Late Milk) | 3.3 | 7.00 - 10.00 |
Dry Doe | 1.75 | Kid Production |