Your animal doctor

Dairy cows in warm weather areas

I am Gabriel Omondi. I have thought of starting either a dairy or beef farm, especially in my county Siaya, where the practice is low partly because of unfavourable weather.

But I believe there are places with climatic conditions worse than mine like Israel and people excel in dairy farming. Kindly advice on which breed of dairy cattle and goats with high milk yield that one can keep and where they can be found and also if possible, beef cattle and goats.

You could still keep Friesian or Ayrshires cows and the likes of Toggenburg goats for milk. Rear them under the zero-grazing system.

For the beef cattle, the Boran or Zebu cows can be kept under free-range grazing system if you have sufficient land.

You can buy the dairy animals from your neighbourhood of Vihiga County.

Please get in touch with personnel from livestock offices in Siaya and Vihiga counties for details of farmers who rear these breeds close to you.

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Genuine Kuroiler supplier

I would like to start a poultry farm and I need the contact of a genuine original Kuroiler farmers whether in Kenya or Uganda. Also educate me on the birds.

Jackson Wachira

Contact National Animal Genetics Resource Centre in Entebbe, Uganda, which is the main supplier of Kuroiler chicks in Eastern Africa.

You could order for day-old Kuroiler chicks through the link: https://www.africa-uganda-business-travel-guide.com/Kuroiler.html#BuyKroilerEggsChicks.

You can access my previous articles on rearing birds through the link below: https://www.nation.co.ke/business/seedsofgold/Understanding-brooding-and-how-to-ensure-chicks-survive/2301238-4158970-iym4pk/index.html

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Good way to store eggs

What are the best storage conditions for eggs needed to be incubated from the time they are laid up to the time of incubation?

Nyaga Muthungu 

Fertile eggs should not be stored for more than 10-14 days as hatchability begins to decline. Keep eggs under room temperature and in a clean and dry environment.

Always wash your hands before handling the eggs to avoid contamination.

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Feeding an in-calf heifer

I have a one month pregnant heifer. I am currently feeding it on grass only. At what stage should I start feeding it on dairy meal and in what quantities? 

Godfrey, Entebbe

During the last weeks to calving, you can feed her dairy meal as it helps to condition the rumen for the concentrates that the animal will be introduced to once she calves.

Introducing concentrates at this time will also help bridge possible energy gaps caused by reduced feeding that may occur in the last stages of pregnancy.

Feed her 2kg of dairy meal per day. Follow the link below to access previous articles in the Seeds of Gold. https://www.nation.co.ke/business/seedsofgold/How-to-feed-a-dairy-cow-for-more-milk/2301238-4223428-23ac91z/index.html

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Keeping Toggenburg goats

I’d like to rear Toggenburg goats and I live in Nakuru North District. Please advise on where to get them and if they can do well in the area.

Njeri

The Toggenburg goats will do well in your area. Please visit the livestock office in Nakuru County for information on where you can source these goats near you.

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My calf grinds teeth

My day-old calf’s poop is black and it gnaws its teeth, any alarm?

Sophie Mbali

Grinding of teeth possibly indicates pain, most likely in the abdomen. It is advisable to seek help of a veterinarian near you for diagnosis and treatment.