Abstract:
The aim of this study was to analyze present situation and establish characteristics of goat farming at Mediterranean part of Turkey. For this aim, 100 goat farmers were surveyed in three geographical areas (North, Middle and West) of Adana district, located Mountainous area of East Mediterranean region of Turkey. In this study, some traits of goat farmers such as education, occupation was determined. Goat production was unique source of family livelihood in this area. Hair goat (Kil) was the most common breed and small population of Kilis and crossbred of Hair x Kilis goats were also raised at the area. It was reported that, whole family took part in goat production; particularly women and daughters were responsible to flock. Goats moved from one area to another from spring to winter. For the greater part of enterprises involved housing in winter (73%). Daily milk yields of goats were too low. Some herds had higher yield than the others because of keeping goats under semi-intensive systems. These were big scale farms and goats were fed by concentrate together with grazing in winter and summer. Main dairy product was goat cheese. Brucella (34%), echtyma (54%), infertility (9%), foot and mouth disease (23%) were common diseases in the area. Almost all goats were vaccine (74%). Average daily milk yield, lactation length and housing period were detected as 0.591 kg, 4.43 and 4.58 months, respectively. Additionally goats were kept in breeding until 6 years old.
Nazan Darcan , Dilek Budak and Müge Kantar , 2005. Characterization of Goat Production in East Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 694-696.
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