REPRODUCTIVE, GROWTH, AND FITNESS TRAITS AMONG BOER, KIKO, AND SPANISH MEAT GOATS SEMI-INTENSIVELY MANAGED IN THE SOUTHEASTERN US

Abstract

During three falls (2003-2005), Boer (B; n=81), Kiko (K; n=64), and Spanish (S; n=59) straightbred does were exposed to B (n=11), K (n=9), and S (n=8) bucks in a three breed diallel to assess meat goat breeds for doe-kid performance on southeastern US pasture. There were 157 B, 152 K, and 150 S doe exposures. Birth and 90-day weaning weights were recorded for 781 and 635 kids, respectively. The proportion of does delivering live kids was lower (P<0.01) for B (82%) than for S (93%) and K (96 ± 3%). Litter size and litter weight at birth were not affected by dam breed. The sire breed x dam breed interaction affected (P<0.05) birth and weaning weights. Birth weights were heaviest for BxS, BxB, and BxK (3.44, 3.35, and 3.32 kg, respectively) and lightest for KxK and SxS kids (2.95 and 2.99 ± 0.09 kg). Weaning weights were heaviest for BxK and KxK (16.3 and 15.9 kg) and lightest for BxB and SxS (13.8 and 13.9 ± 0.4 kg). The proportion of exposed does weaning kids at 3 months was lower (P<0.01) for B (72%) than for K and S does (88 ± 4% each). Litter size at weaning was smaller (P<0.01) for B (1.55 kids) than for S dams (1.8 ± 0.06 kids); K were intermediate (1.65 kids). Litter weaning weight was lighter (P<0.01) for B (25.7 kg) than for K dams (29.5 ± 1 kg); S dams were intermediate (28.2 kg). Based on all does exposed, B does weaned a lower (P<0.01) kid crop percent and litter weight (112%, 18.5 kg) compared to K (144%, 25.8 kg) and S (157 ± 9%, 24.5 ± 1.5 kg). Annual lameness, internal parasitism and attrition rates were higher (P<0.01) for B (71, 50, and 21%) than for S (39, 24, and 8%) and K does (31 ± 5%, 17 ± 5%, and 7 ± 4%). Fecal parasite egg counts differed (P<0.01) among all dam breeds: B = 523, K = 331, and S = 233 ± 45 eggs/g. Breeds differed for meat goat doe-kid performance in the US Southeast.