Course Duaration & Itinerary
This course runs over 6 full days usually on a Sunday, with each day offering a varied mix of theory and hands-on practical learning. Below is a typical daily schedule:
Weekly Course Outline
Week 1
Farm tour
Health & safety, legislation, animal movements, record keeping, and the Animal Welfare Act (theory)
Sheep nutrition
Week 2
Goat feeding practical and oral assessment
Goat housing theory
Goat housing practical activities
Week 3
Goat housing practical and oral assessment
Goat handling and moving theory
Goat handling and moving practical activities
Week 4
Goat handling and moving practical assessment
Goat health care and disease prevention theory
Goat health care and prevention practical activities
Week 5
Goat health care and prevention practical and oral assessment
Seasonal practical goat work, which may include bringing goats in from fields, foot bathing, parastite prevention
Week 6
Kidding or (mating), depending on the time of year
Kidding:
You will take part in a hands-on kidding day. While kids births cannot be guaranteed, you will learn what to look for during kidding, how to care for nanny goats and kids, and assist staff with daily routines such as moving nannies and kids, ear tagging, spraying umbilical cords, mucking out, and more.
mating:
You will learn pre-mating care for nannies and billies, including checking teeth, toes, udders, testicles, and body condition scoring. You will also practise moving nannies into mating groups, moving the billy goat in, using raddle paint, and understanding when and why to change raddle paint colours.
