Do water shortages increase gastrointestinal nematode loads in Nguni does?

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effects of water deprivation on the burden of gastrointestinal nematodes in Nguni does.

Methods: A survey was piloted on goat keepers in households where water was scarce (n = 143) and where it was available throughout the year (n = 142). In a controlled experiment, feed intake (ADFI), body condition score (BCS), FAMACHA score, packed cell volume (PCV) and faecal egg counts (FEC) were determined in does deprived of water for 24 and 48 h.

Characterisation of the indigenous knowledge used for gastrointestinal nematode control in smallholder farming areas of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

Background: The use of indigenous knowledge (IK) to control gastrointestinal nematodes has been known since ancient times. The objective of the study was to characterise the use of indigenous knowledge to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from farmers.

Farmer perceptions on factors influencing water scarcity for goats in resource-limited communal farming environments.

The objective of the study was to compare factors influencing water scarcity for goats in areas where there are seasonal and perennial rivers under resource-limited communal farming environments. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire (n = 285) administered randomly to smallholder goat farmers from areas with seasonal and perennial rivers. Ceremonies was ranked as the major reason for keeping goats.