Smallholder goat raising systems in Southeast Asia are mostly based on traditional methods. Goats have the advantage over other ruminants that they can walk for long distances in search of feed, and this behaviour assists them in meeting their nutrient requirements (Devendra and McLeroy 1982). Such a situation exists in many regions of the tropics, where goats raised in traditional systems mostly roam freely in fallow land, forest and grassland. The main feed resources for animals are native grasses, legumes that occur naturally in grassland, tree leaves and few if any crop residues. In Lao PDR, goat production is small compared to production from other ruminants, but goats still play an important role for smallholders in terms of