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Influence of age on reproductive performance of the improved Boer goat doe
... Average for fertility (0.87) for Boer-Spanish does was >0.79 reported for Boer does in South Africa (Erasmus et al., 1985). Browning et al. (2011) reported fertility of 0.80 for Boer and 0.94 for Spanish. ...
... Therefore, breed comparisons must be carefully designed so that the results can be applied to the desired production system. Erasmus et al. (1985) reported a maximum fertility at 3.5 yr of age at mating in Boer goats. The highest fertility in the current study was at 4.5 yr mating age. ...
... Number of kids born and weaned increased with age (Table 4). This increase differs from the results of Erasmus et al. (1985) with records from Boer does, where the maximum number of kids born was at 3.5 yr and lower at later ages. Bogui (1986) reported the highest occurrence of multiple births in Spanish does was at age 4. Spanish does had a litter size of 1.7 kids born per doe kidding in an annual kidding management system (Bogui, 1986). ...
Production records from 291 Boer-Spanish and Spanish does collected between 1994 and 2004 in the Edwards Plateau region of West Texas were examined to compare Boer-Spanish and Spanish does for body weights, fertility, prolificacy, and number of kids weaned. Traits were analyzed using single-trait mixed models. Boer-Spanish does were heavier at birth than Spanish does (2.79 vs. 2.67 kg, P = 0.05), but similar weight at weaning (15.2 vs. 15.0 kg, P = 0.59). Boer-Spanish does had a heavier body weight at breeding than the Spanish does (46.5 vs. 43.5 kg, P < 0.01). Boer-Spanish does had similar fertility over 8 annual breeding seasons (0.87 vs. 0.84, P = .22). Boer-Spanish does had an advantage over Spanish does for fertility to a 30-day breeding season (0.53 vs. 0.48; P = .09) Boer-Spanish does produced more kids than Spanish does (1.70 vs. 1.62, P = .09). Boer-Spanish does weaned a similar number of kids (1.30 vs. 1.31, P = .76). Age of doe significantly affected (P < 0.05) both number of kids born and number of kids weaned, with older does giving birth to, and weaning, more kids. Boer-Spanish does had greater birth weight, body weight at breeding, and number of kids born than Spanish does. Boer-Spanish does had a similar number of kids weaned as Spanish does.
... Doe BW at kidding and at weaning in this study were greatest (P < 0.01) at 5+ yr of age. Doe BW was found to peak at 4.5 to 5 yr of age by Erasmus et al. (1985) and Wilson and Light (1986). The lighter BW for March does at kidding was likely because of a greater nutrition demand being in mid-to late pregnancy during the coldest time of the year ( Figure 1). ...
... Boer does were not found to differ from indigenous does for fertility in 2 previous reports (Kimmés, 1992;Nsubuga, 1996) where Boer fertility rates were 83 and 90%, respectively. Boer doe fertility rates on typical SA grazingland ranged from 79 to 90% (Erasmus et al., 1985;Malan, 2000). Boer does on the current study were at the lower end of the range reported Boer doe fertility rates. ...
... Litter size at kidding was less for 2-yr-old does than for 4-and 5-yr-old does (Table 3). Others have reported that LSK for does was less at 1 to 2 yr of age and increased to peak values at 3 to 6 yr of age (Erasmus et al., 1985;Wilson et al., 1989;Hamed et al., 2009;Zhang et al., 2009). To the contrary, others observed LSK to either vary little by age of dam from 2-to 9-yr-old (Marai et al., 2002) or increase linearly with age for does from 2-to 9-yr-old (Rhone, 2005). ...
Boer (n = 132), Kiko (n = 92), and Spanish (n = 79) straightbred does were studied across 6 yr to assess doe fitness on southeastern US pastures. Does were exposed to Boer, Kiko, and Spanish bucks in a complete 3-breed diallel mating scheme each fall for spring kidding in March or May. A total of 1,041 doe-yr units were observed with does (ranging from 2 to 8 yr of age) managed together in a semi-intensive manner. The proportion of buck-exposed does delivering at least 1 live kid was less (P < 0.01) for Boer does (80%) than for Kiko (96%) and Spanish does (94%). Litter size and litter weight at birth were not affected (P > 0.15) by breed of dam. By weaning at 3 mo, the proportion of available does weaning at least 1 kid was less (P < 0.01) for Boer does (53%) than for Kiko (84%) and Spanish does (82%). For does weaning kids, litter size at weaning was greater (P = 0.01) for Spanish does (1.74 kids) than for Kiko (1.59 kids) and Boer does (1.47 kids). Litter weaning weight was lighter (P < 0.01) for Boer dams (23.0 kg) than for Kiko (27.2 kg) and Spanish dams (26.5 kg). The efficiency ratio of litter weight to dam weight at weaning differed (P < 0.05) among all 3 dam breeds: Boer = 51%; Kiko = 62%; Spanish = 68%. Annual rates of lameness, endoparasitism, and attrition, respectively, were greater (P < 0.01) for Boer does (69, 53, and 28%) than for Kiko (32, 24, and 10%) and Spanish does (42, 22, and 11%). Postpartum fecal egg counts for endoparasite loads were less (P < 0.05) for Spanish dams (346 eggs/g) than for Kiko (524 eggs/g) and Boer does (675 eggs/g). Whole-herd annual doe productivity based on all available does was less (P < 0.01) for Boer does (11.7 kg weaned/doe) compared with Kiko (22.0 kg weaned/doe) and Spanish does (21.1 kg weaned/doe). Boer does expressed substantially decreased levels of fitness compared with Kiko and Spanish does when semi-intensively managed on humid, subtropical pasture. Kiko and Spanish should be preferred as maternal breeds in meat goat production systems under conditions reflective of this study.
... Average for FERT1, including the covariate body weight (0.86) and excluding the covariate variable body weight (0.87), for F 1 Boer-Spanish does were considerably higher than the findings of Erasmus et al. (1985) and Lawson et al. (1984) in Spanish does which showed conception rates of 74.4%, but lower than the 98% in Boer does, as reported by Campbell (1984), when Boer goats were managed on a high plane of nutrition. When the covariate body weight was not included in the model, Spanish does average of 0.84 for FERT1 did not change, and the F 1 Spanish-Boer doe average only changed by 0.01, indicating that accounting for body weight of the does had little effect on FERT1. ...
... When the covariate body weight was not included in the model, Spanish does average of 0.84 for FERT1 did not change, and the F 1 Spanish-Boer doe average only changed by 0.01, indicating that accounting for body weight of the does had little effect on FERT1. Results of does age 5 having the maximum level of FERT1 is later than Erasmus et al. (1985) reported in Boer goats of 3.5 years, but very similar to the Angora doe value at 6 to 7 years (Landman, 1984 as cited by Erasmus et al., 1985), and the Dohne Merino at six years (FERT1 = 0.88) of age (Fourie and Heydenrych, 1983) for maximum FERT1. F 1 Boer-Spanish does having a higher FERT2 with the covariate body weight in the model (0.51) and without the covariate body weight in the model (0.53), may indicate that the Boer females have a slight advantage to coming in heat faster as reported by Casey and Van Niekerk (1988). ...
... When the covariate body weight was not included in the model, Spanish does average of 0.84 for FERT1 did not change, and the F 1 Spanish-Boer doe average only changed by 0.01, indicating that accounting for body weight of the does had little effect on FERT1. Results of does age 5 having the maximum level of FERT1 is later than Erasmus et al. (1985) reported in Boer goats of 3.5 years, but very similar to the Angora doe value at 6 to 7 years (Landman, 1984 as cited by Erasmus et al., 1985), and the Dohne Merino at six years (FERT1 = 0.88) of age (Fourie and Heydenrych, 1983) for maximum FERT1. F 1 Boer-Spanish does having a higher FERT2 with the covariate body weight in the model (0.51) and without the covariate body weight in the model (0.53), may indicate that the Boer females have a slight advantage to coming in heat faster as reported by Casey and Van Niekerk (1988). ...
The study was performed in the Edwards Plateau region of West Texas from the years of 1994 through 2004 and involved data collected on 291 F1 Boer-Spanish and Spanish does and their 1,941 kids. Differences were estimated between dam types for growth traits, fertility traits, prolificacy, kid growth traits, survivability, longevity, and progeny growth. The mixed model analysis of variance procedure was used for all traits, except doe survivability where chi-square analysis was used. The F1 Boer-Spanish does were significantly heavier at birth than Spanish does, but there was no significant difference between the F1 Boer-Spanish and Spanish does for weaning weight. The F1 Boer-Spanish does had a significantly heavier body weight at breeding than the Spanish does (46 vs. 43 kg). No significant differences were found between breed types for fertility traits. Age of doe was a significant source of variation for fertility. There was no significant difference between the two doe breed types for number of kids born or number of kids weaned. Age of doe significantly affected both number of kids born and number of kids weaned. There was no significant differencebetween breed for total litter weight at weaning. For kid birth weight there was no significant difference between dam breed types. Kid weaning weight and pre-weaning average daily gain were not significantly different between dam breed types. Age at time of leaving the herd for all causes was 6.15 years for F1 Boer-Spanish does and 5.56 years for Spanish does (P = 0.06). There was no significant difference between breeds for proportions of does leaving the herd for the three main reasons. Although F1 Boer-Spanish does were significantly heavier for birth weight and body weight at breeding, there were no significant differences for weaning weights, reproduction, production, and progeny growth differences at weaning between F1 Boer- Spanish and Spanish does. When kid production was measured at weaning there was no difference between breeds. However the greater body weight of the F1 Boer-Spanish does at breeding suggests that if kid production was measured at a later endpoint, a significant difference may be realized.
... If condition is below Q,, (which reflects the effect of nutrition), litter size is set at 1. Primiparous does generally have smaller litters than multiparous does. The difference between the second and subsequent parities is small (Peaker, 1978;Erasmus & Fourie, 1985;Devendra & Burns, 1983;Bajhau & Kennedy, 1990). This difference is simulated by allowing primiparous does only single or twin litters. ...
... Doe live weight is reset and birth recorded. The probabilities for litter size at birth for multiparous pregnancies (Table 1) are based on Peaker (1978), Devendra & Burns (1983), Erasmus & Fourie (1985) and Bajhau & Kennedy (1990). ...
A dynamic, stochastic, feed-driven model has been developed in response to the recommendation of model livestock systems so that the interrelationships of production parameters and their effect on productivity can be elucidated. It enables the productivity of goat meat flocks to be investigated. The model simulates the performance of the individual animal within the flock so that the effect of changes in feed intake or herd dynamics on production traits and, hence, productivity can be assessed. A sensitivity analysis singled out adult weight and weight and age at sexual maturity as the most important breed characteristics. Validation of the model with data from southwestern Nigeria showed that the model functions satisfactorily. The testing of the innovations shows how the model can be used to test the possible effect of interventions, even if, as is often the case in the tropics, not all input parameters are fully known.
... Üreme süreci genetik ve çevresel faktörler tarafından düzenlenmekte ve tüm bu etkilerin net etkisi üremenin düzeyini ve verimliliğini belirlemektedir. Sağlıklı keçi sürülerinde döl verimi, ergenlik öncesi (Bocquier & ark., 1996) ve doğum sonrası beslenmeden (Sachdeva & ark., 1973), kondisyon (Absy, Abuzead, & Zeidan, 2001) ve yaştan (Erasmus, Fourie, & Venter, 1985) etkilenmektedir. Dolatpanah & ark. ...
... Recently, Boer goat has been introduced in Bangladesh which has similar characteristics to produce relatively high levels of multiple births reported elsewhere as 7.6% single, 56.5% twins, 33.2% triplets, 2.4% quadruplets and 0.4% as quintuplets in South Africa. 188 Effects of birth type and gender traits are found significantly higher weights for single in comparison to twin, triplets and quadruplet kids (Table 18) and male kids in comparison to female kids (Table 18). ...
... The litter size of Boer goat females varied from 15.2-24.5 % kids born as singles, 59.2-67.5% born as twins and 15.3-16.3% born as triplets (Erasmus et al., 1985;Greyling, 1998). Fielding (1983) observed that it is a common experience that multiple births in goats are associated with a high mortality rate. ...
Body condition scores (BCS) and/or body weights (BWT) are often used as visual or tactile management tools to evaluate and improve reproductive competency in pasture-managed small ruminant animals. This study was designed to evaluate relationships between BCS, BWT and reproductive traits (number born alive and weaned, litter size, birth and weaning weights) in 16 purebred Kiko, 11 purebred Boer and 7 Kiko x Boer crossbred meat goat dams that were semi-intensively managed and bred to both Boer and Kiko bucks. BWT was recorded using a scale and palpable BCS scale of 1 to 5 (1= emaciated to 5= obese) and was subjectively determined at breeding, parturition and weaning. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) analysis was used to determine the relationships between residual values of reproductive and progeny performance and BWT or BCS. Pre-partum BCS and weaning BCS had a correlation of r=0.09. A moderate correlation was observed between BWT at breeding and the number born alive (r=0.36) suggesting that pre-partum BWT is the key body conformation measurement linked to the reproductive performance of dams both at birth and weaning. Both at breeding and at weaning BCS were negatively correlated with litter size (r= -0.11) and birth weight (r=-0.32) and weakly correlated with the number born alive (r=0.06). Also, negative correlations were obtained between BCS at weaning and kid weaning weight (r=-0.58) and number weaned (r=-0.26). Although BCS had no significant (P≥0.05) effect on kg kids born per dam, birth weight of kids, and kids weaning weights, it is evident that a BCS score of 3 at the mating time could optimize reproductive performance. The results of this project established the important roles that pre-breeding BWT and/or BCS have on reproductive performance (kidding rate) in meat goat herds. We recommend their evaluation as a useful management tool for distinguishing differences in the pre-partum nutritional needs of meat goat herds, especially in the pasture-based production system. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(2): 64-73, December 2022
... (Greyling, 1988) . (Erasmus et al., 1985) . (Erasmus, 2000) . ...
Currently, several serious challenges such as the growing world population, the problem of climate change, the drought, and the associated decrease in rainfall have led directly to the loss of pastures. In this puzzle, the domestic goat species (Capra hircus) is one of the small ruminants that have minimal water requirements and are very resistant to harsh environments, and have little contribution to livestock species. However, keeping many native races is not cost-effective despite the importance of ecotourism and high levels of adaptability to the environment, and this issue is encouraging agricultural policy makers to open borders to exotic races, mostly without initial research and scientific evidence. Therefore, the first step in confirming the legal importation of an exotic breed is to understand all the details of its breeding and production and reproductive potential, as well as carefully paying attention to its survivability and adaptation to the new environment. In this regard, various countries around the world have started to import, plan and breed Boer goats. The Boer goat is one of the well-known commercial goat breeds that has the characteristics of fertility (large litter size) and high resistance to harsh environments and common diseases due to the desired meat and carcass. Here in this report, the authors try to introduce this candidate for an exotic goat breed with scientific support by talking about its detailed characteristics and the evaluation of its production and reproductive traits and prospects in the world and providing the source of information with the admixture of the highlighted possibilities alongside threats with emphasis on the Iranian state.
... Recently, Boer goat has been introduced in Bangladesh which has similar characteristics to produce relatively high levels of multiple births reported elsewhere as 7.6% single, 56.5% twins, 33.2% triplets, 2.4% quadruplets and 0.4% as quintuplets in South Africa. 188 Effects of birth type and gender traits are found significantly higher weights for single in comparison to twin, triplets and quadruplet kids (Table 18) and male kids in comparison to female kids (Table 18). ...
Background: Small ruminant animals (SRA) have been associated with humans since their domestication are of world significance as socioeconomic animals providing products (meat, milk, wool, hair) that are in growing demand and sustainability of rural economics and many ecosystems with poverty elevation and food security in rural people in developing world including Bangladesh. People clearly want the benefit of SRA with the application of knowledge of science and technological research. Some research progress on production and management of SRA has been made during the past five decades in Bangladesh. However, such research information is often fragmented and not easily accessible, although these research findings are essential for further research and effective SRA development planning. Objective: This review aimed to improve the information based on various aspects of production and management of SRA by compiling and reviewing published research findings to identify constraints of their production for practical and sustainable solutions. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature of review of research articles on production and management of SRA published mainly in journals from 1968 to early 2021 of Bangladesh has been reviewed. A total of 332 inland research articles on these aspects supported with 19 foreign related articles have been reviewed and analyzed. Results: Bangladesh has approximately 26.435 million goats and 3.607 million sheep. Among goat population, 90% Black Bengal goat (BBG), 8.0% Jamunapari (JP) and 2.0% crossbred goats. Ten phenotypic coat color characteristics of BBG with high performance with solid black color goats documented. Sheep and goats are considered polyestrous species, and the average gestation length lasts for 150 days and give birth twice a year under good management and nutrition. Most of the smallholder farmers (80.5-95%) are raised their goats in semi-intensive system and 47% rural women are involved in goat rearing. Approximately 96% goat farmers and 60% sheep farmers used roadside grass and tree leaves and only 4.0% goat farmers used cultivated fodder whereas 40% sheep farmers used cultivated and road side grass to feed their sheep. Daily supplement of 100-300g concentrate to grazing SRA improved the growth and carcass gain, productive and reproductive performances. Castrated goats at eight weeks of age showed a much higher growth rate (76.33g/day) than un-castrated (62.72g/day) goats. The productive and reproductive performances of SRA have been reviewed and discussed. The BBG has excellent reproductive efficiency but its lower live weight and milk yield encouraged for crossbreeding with exotic bucks. The meat and milk yield traits of crossbred improved but reproductive efficiency decreased in comparison to BBG. Selection breeding of BBG not only increased live weight but also improved carcass value and preserves the indigenous genetic resources from extinction of unplanned breeding. Similarly, the crossbreds between native ewes exotic rams resulted positive effect on wool quality and live weight but a negative effect on prolificacy and lambing interval. Almost all SRA farmers depended on natural breeding system with some research data on the uses of AI and more than 70% farmers are being faced breeding service shortages. Major advances in methods of semen collection and evaluation, evaluation of male fertility, cryopreservation of sperm and estrous cycle control have been reported in both the goat and sheep in Bangladesh. In addition, knowledge of ovulation control, timing of insemination, gamete biology has also been reported in inland literature. The average slaughtering age of BBG reported to be approximately 12 months whereas in native Bengal sheep has been suggested to be 6 to 9 with an average of 8 months to get maximum return. The major challenges for SRA production are breeds, poor management, inadequate feeds, breeding bucks and rams and high neonatal mortality (kids 25.2%) and lambs (12.4%) in Bangladesh. Conclusions: The SRA rearing as smallholder farmers managed mostly semi-intensive system and requires improved feeding, provision of veterinary medical services, financial assistance, improve natural breeding and/or AI services and extension services to encourage and enhance production of sheep and goat at rural levels in Bangladesh. An improvement in the performance of SRA would directly improve the diet and standard of living of rural smallholder farmers in Bangladesh. Keywords: Systematic review, Five decades, Small ruminants, Production, Management, Bangladesh
... As kids born as single, twins, triplets and quadruplets, the mortality rate is 10.8%, 8.3%, 20.8% and 31.3% respectively (Erasmus et al., 1985). Kids born as triplets and quadruplets suffers the highest mortality (Els, 1995). ...
... Besides these, we did not find any major disease incidences as well as any parasitic infestation which coincides with the findings of the previous mentioned research works. Erasmus et al. (1985) reported mortality rates of 10.8% for kids born as singles, 8.3% born as twins. According to Olivier (1980), the causes of kid mortalities might be exposure to cold, shortage of milk of the doe and a too small birth weight of the kid. ...
... Besides these, we did not find any major disease incidences as well as any parasitic infestation which coincides with the findings of the previous mentioned research works. Erasmus et al. (1985) reported mortality rates of 10.8% for kids born as singles, 8.3% born as twins. According to Olivier (1980), the causes of kid mortalities might be exposure to cold, shortage of milk of the doe and a too small birth weight of the kid. ...
The present study was conducted to evaluate the adaptability and morphometric characterization of Boer goat under the farming condition of Bangladesh. Data on adaptability and characterization were collected from the imported flock of Boer goat maintained at American Dairy Limited, Sreepur, Gazipur. A total of 31 Boer goats (15 males and 16 females) at birth (0), 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age were considered for morphometric characterization. From the study, it was revealed that Boer goats were adapted easily in our climatic and farming conditions. All the body measurements (body length, heart girth, height at wither, head length, head width, ear length, ear width, tail length) in both sexes were significantly (p [J Bangladesh Agril Univ 2020; 18(2.000): 0-0]
... The whole-herd reproductive values were consistent with other doe evaluations under limited nutritional supplementation (Blackburn, 1995;Alexandre and Mandonnet, 2005;Nogueira et al., 2012). The age of doe effect on whole-herd reproductive rates agreed with past studies (Erasmus et al., 1985;Wilson and Light, 1986;Browning et al., 2011) in that performance was generally lower for young 2-yr-old does and in aged does beyond 6 yr of age (Table 7). Doe retention rates in Table 7 (the relative inverse of exit rates) were generally consistent with the wide range of published goat herd adult exit values that vary from under 10 to over 40% (Malher et al., 2001;Otte and Chilonda, 2002;Ershaduzzaman et al., 2007;Salisi et al., 2012), with the possible exceptions of the Boer group and the oldest age group. ...
Sustainable meat goat production begins with the identification and use of maternal breeds that demonstrate relatively enhanced levels of fitness under less-than-optimal conditions. The Myotonic goat is a heritage breed that is lacking in comparative assessment for female fitness. In this study, Boer (n = 73), Kiko (n = 115), Myotonic (n = 80), and Spanish (n = 114) meat goat does were compared for traits associated with health and reproduction. The herd was semi-intensively managed on humid subtropical pasture for 6 yr. The study included 838 doe–year matings and over 2,000 records for BW, fecal egg count (FEC), and packed cell volume (PCV). Body weights of Boer and Kiko does were heavier (P < 0.05) than for Spanish does, which, in turn, were heavier (P < 0.05) than for Myotonic does. In production does, FEC were lower (P < 0.05) for Myotonic does than for Boer does, whereas Kiko and Spanish does had intermediate FEC that differed (P < 0.05) from Myotonic and Boer does. Kiko, Myotonic, and Spanish does had greater (P < 0.05) PCV than Boer does. Doe age and physiological status also affected (P < 0.05) BW, FEC, and PCV. Annual kidding rates, weaning rates, doe retention rates, and kid crop weaned were greater (P < 0.05) for Kiko and Spanish does than for Boer does, whereas Myotonic does were intermediate and differed (P < 0.05) from the other 3 breeds. The results suggest that Kiko and Spanish does should be preferred over Boer and Myotonic does for sustainable meat goat doe performance under limited-input management conditions. Myotonic does maintained the lowest FEC among all doe breeds and warrant further evaluation as a genetic resource for controlling gastrointestinal parasitism. © 2017 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.
... Reproductive performance of small ruminants is one of the most important measures of their productivity. Factors affecting reproductive performance are basically environmental (management and nutrition) and genetic (Urioste 1987;Devendra and McLeroy 1982;Dyrmundsson 1981;Erasmus and Fourie 1985). Reproductive performance is evaluated using a number of indicators, such as days to first conception, kidding interval and length of the productive life (disposal date minus first kidding date). ...
... Fecundity has been positively correlated with female body weight in mammals (e.g. Myers and Masters 1983;Reimers 1983;Allen 1984;Erasmus et al. 1985), and has been related to age and previous breeding history. Younger or primiparous females are generally less fecund than older or multiparous females (e.g. ...
Reproduction in the common ringtail possum in Victoria was seasonal, with the majority of births in late autumn and early winter, and late lactation and weaning occurring in late spring and early summer, when young foliage is most abundant. Births and lactation usually did not occur in late summer and early autumn, a time when many ringtails lost weight and some died, and a time when conditions were hot and dry. The age structure and weight of females in the population appeared to influence the timing of breeding and fecundity, but did not explain all the variation in these parameters observed within and between populations. Early breeding in one population appeared to be associated with a high proportion of multiparous females, resulting from high adult survival. Late breeding of primiparous females may have been due to their low body weights at the beginning of the birth season. Among the multiparous females, some produced litters earlier than others, but these females were not significantly heavier than those which bred later. During individual years, multiparous females which bred early in the season, and which were able to wean their first litter at 5 months old instead of the more typical 6 or 7 months, often produced a second litter in spring but were not heavier or older than multiparous females which bred only once in any one year. The higher frequency of second litters in 1982 than in 1981 at Sandy Point was associated with a higher body weight of females in November 1982.
... Twins Triplets Quadruplets Quindruplets 1993 116 55 45 ---1994 243 39 41 14 6 -1995 175 54 37 3 5 1 No significant differences were found and the litter size (between 1.44 and 1.87) in this study and compared well to the litter size of 1.57 to 1.62 kids for Landim goats at Chobela Station (McKinnon & Rocha, 1985). Other indigenous breeds of East-and West-Africa reported to have litter sizes which varied between 1.19 -1.90, of which the highest been observed in the Boer goat in South Africa (Erasmus et al., 1985;Armbruster & Peters, 1993). The percentage of does with multiple births in this study (Table 3) (46% -61%) corresponded well with the 56% reported by McKinnon & Rocha (1985) for Landim goats at Chobela Station. ...
Results are presented of a study of a smallholder goat production system in the Boane district, southern Mozambique. Goat keepers (n = 65) were selected and their goats (Landim breed) (n = 770) were recorded and monitored over two years (1993 - 1995). Goat numbers per household were small (9.7) and raised under a traditional management system. Females outnumbered males and most of the male kids were removed from the flock before nine months of age. Age of first kidding was on average 390 days. Litter sizes varied between 1.44 and 1.87 and the percentage multiple births (54%) corresponded well with reported values. The mortality rate increased proportionally among twins as the number of twin births increased. This study provided a base-line survey of which the information can be used in future projects of this nature.
Published literature was used to review the impact of the Boer goat crossbreeding programs on the performances of the indigenous goats in Ethiopia. Growth, reproduction, production, and adaptability performances were assessed. The overall growth rate of the Boer goats and their crosses in Ethiopia was generally low as compared to their native areas. Boer kids had better birth weight (3.05-3.50 kg) than their crosses (2.39-3.00 kg) however, this dominancy was not observed at the later ages. The maximum reported litter size at birth for the Boer (1.76) and Central Highland goats (1.75) was comparable while the value of their crosses was lower. Extremely low conception (37.64%), low kidding (21.94%), and high abortion (15.01%) of the Boer were reported while the performance of local goats for conception, kidding, and abortion was 54.38%, 47.50%, and 5.62% respectively. Their crosses performed better in conception (73.86%), kidding (60.23%), and abortion (9.09%). Meat production and carcass characteristics of local goats were better than the Boer crosses on poor nutrition, while Boer crosses outstand as the level of supplementation increases. Survival of Boer and the crossbreeds was quite low and below expected, which indicated their sub-optimal adaptability to the Ethiopian environment. Therefore, unless it is practiced in highly intensive farming where the health management and supplementation of feeding are appropriate, using Boer goats crossing or replacement cannot help in achieving the required results. At the small holders' level, achieving stable genetic improvement without harming the diversity (options like within breed selection) need to be considered.
Sixty doe kids from Spanish dams and Boer (n=6) or Spanish (n=6) sires were used to evaluate selected reproductive traits. Using plasma progesterone concentrations, first estrus was detected at 7.7 and 7.5 months of age in Boer×Spanish (BS), and Spanish×Spanish (SS) doe kids, respectively. Body weights (BW) at first estrus were 45% (BS), and 50% (SS) of BW at 18 months of age. Onset of anestrus occurred at 11.3 and 11.4 months of age for BS and SS does, respectively. BS does had an ovulation rate of 1.24, as compared to 1.27 for SS does. Breed, BW nearest first estrus, and birth date were not significant sources of variation for reproductive traits. Age at first estrus was four months greater in twin-born does relative to single-born does. No significant differences were found between BS and Spanish does for age at first estrus, ovulation rate, and age at anestrus. The results indicate that BS crossbred does are similar to Spanish does for female reproduction.
Data collected from a large goat farm in northern Mexico (4584 services), were use to investigate if early growth rate, season of mating, parity and breed of doe influenced reproductive performance of goats in a hot environment. Data were analyzed using stepwise, forward univariate logistic regression analyses. Goats whose birth weight was less than 2.7kg were 1.2 times less likely (P
This study compares the sexual behaviors of bucks from two pure breeds of goats, Damascus and Egyptian-Nubian (Zaraibi), and assesses their relationships with the pregnancy and kidding rates of their inseminated does. Twenty-three bucks (12 Damascus and 11 Egyptian-Nubian bucks) were used in this study. These bucks were either in their first season of service (N =12, with an average age of 1.51 years) or had been previously used in service for several seasons (N = 11, with an average age of 3.34 years). Buck service behaviors toward estrous does were continuously recorded for 30 minutes from the moment of appearance of the doe. Egyptian-Nubian bucks were highly sexually active with estrous does in comparison with Damascus bucks. They required less time to mount and ejaculate for the first (P < 0.04) and second times (P < 0.0002) and tended to sniff, nudge and vocalize more frequently than Damascus bucks. In addition, Egyptian-Nubian bucks had more ejaculations and a higher mating efficiency (27.48% vs. 10.21%, P < 0.001), and their inseminated does had a higher pregnancy rate and larger litter sizes. Regarding the effect of experience, the data revealed a limited influence. No significant differences in sexual behavior were recorded between younger and older bucks. Conversely, pregnancy, kidding rates, and litter size were not influenced by the total number of ejaculations. From these results, it can be concluded that there were sexual behavior differences as a function of breed between Damascus and Egyptian-Nubian bucks and that experience had little impact in this study.
Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goats were semi-intensively managed in a complete 3-breed diallel mating scheme to evaluate genetic effects on preweaning kid performance. Over a 6-yr period, 1,547 kids were born in March and May with 1,173 kids raised by their dams to weaning at 3 mo of age. March-born kids were lighter (P < 0.01) at birth, but had greater (P < 0.01) preweaning ADG and survival rates and heavier (P < 0.01) weaning weights than May-born kids. For birth weight, the direct Boer effect was positive (P < 0.01) and direct effects were negative (P < 0.01) for Kiko and Spanish. The direct Kiko effect for preweaning ADG was positive (P < 0.05), whereas other direct breed effects for ADG and all direct effects for weaning weight did not differ from 0 (P > 0.10). Maternal Boer effects were negative (P < 0.01) for birth weight and weaning weight, whereas maternal Kiko effects were significantly (P < 0.05) positive for preweaning ADG and weaning weight. Maternal Spanish effect was positive (P < 0.05) for birth weight, but did not differ from 0 (P > 0.5) for preweaning ADG or weaning weight. Heterosis for birth weight was exhibited (P < 0.01) for each pair of breed crosses, but only between Boer and Kiko for ADG and weaning weight. Kiko and Spanish dams had greater (P < 0.01) preweaning kid survival rates than Boer dams, but the former 2 did not differ (P = 0.72). Significant genetic variation was observed between meat goat breeds for kid performance to weaning. Maternal breed effects were more influential than direct breed effects. Boer goats were not superior to Kiko or Spanish for preweaning kid performance when semi-intensively managed on humid, subtropical pasture. Kiko should be a preferred breed and to a lesser extent Spanish for enhancing birth to weaning kid performance. Findings of this study emphasize the importance of proper doe breed selection in achieving desired kid performance to weaning in meat goats.
The Improved Boer Goat is a remarkable small-stock ruminant that possesses distinctive qualities enabling it to excel as an efficient red meat producer. It is early maturing, reaching a mean maximum weight of approximately 62kg at 3.5 years of age on natural pasture under extensive grazing conditions. It boasts high fecundity, with approximately 2.09 kids born per doe kidded. A relatively large proportion of does ( approximately 33%) have triplets, whilst the occurrence of kids born as quadruplets and quintuplets have also been documented. The Boer goat is predominantly a browser, enabling it to convert shrub and bush into red meat, thereby playing a supplementary role to other farm stock in increasing meat production per unit area, rather than being in competition with them. As a browser, the goat is also extremely useful and effective in combatting undesirable bush encroachment. In addition, it appears to be fairly resistant towards certain diseases which are normally contracted by other small stock, such as sheep. Lastly, Boer goats produce red meat of high quality which is hardly distinguishable from that of mutton or lamb as far as flavour is concerned, provided animals are slaughtered at a relatively young age.
The aim of the current study was to estimate reproductive parameters of Matou goat to evaluate a meat breed. Data on 2,560 kids from 1,197 kidding records of 638 does and on puberty of 546 females kids were collected from farmer household herds of Matou goats in six counties of Shiye city under Hubei Province in China. Statistical analyses on puberty, estrus, gestation length (GL), litter size (LS) and survival rate (SR) of kids at puberty were performed with software Genstat 5 (Release 3.1) by using descriptive statistics and regression models. The results showed that age at puberty of female kids was 108.4+/-19.1 days while estrus duration and cycle averaged 58.6+/-15.9 hours and 19.7+/-1.5 days respectively. Gestation length (GL) and litter size (LS) averaged 150+/-7.4 days and 2.14+/-0.9 respectively with 90.8% of survival rate (SR) of kids. GL was unassociated with parity, but delayed as LS increased. SR of kids at birth differed remarkably among parity 1 to 5, decreased significantly at parity 6 to 7, and then increased at 8th parity. In Matou goat over all twinning and triplet percentage was 45.4 percent and 16.3 percent whereas percentage of single birth was 27.4 percent. As twins and triplets birth rate is considerably higher in Matou goat so, this breed can be recommended to other parts of China and the world having similar climatic conditions.
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