The choice of breed type should be influenced by the type of product to be produced, e.g.milk or meat or fiber. Within each type there are several breeds that will be productive under a range of production systems.
There are different advantages and disadvantages to consider when choosing either meat or dairy type does as your maternal line. Some disadvantages of using dairy does include: 1) They are often raised under intensive feeding and rather pampered situations, and thus you …
Below are some suggested management practices:
Doe Management
1.) Provide additional feed to does and ewes one to two months prior to the breeding season. Supplement the females with 0.5 pound of concentrate or grain per head, per day to improve body condition and ovulation rates. For more information: http://www.extension.org/pages/19335/goat-flushing-meat-goats. Note: Using a body condition score scale of 1-9 with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese, if the doe body condition score (BCS) is above 5 or the …
Understanding reproduction in goats is essential to increasing productivity, which is largely a function of pregnancy rate, the number of offspring born and weaned and the frequency with which kids are produced. Therefore, goat reproductive management should produce a high level of fertility (greater than 90 percent) and an optimum litter size (two kids) with a high rate of survival to weaning. Understanding reproductive processes in the goat will help producers manage their herd …
In most areas of the U.S., goats are mated once yearly in the fall, during their natural mating season, for spring kidding. Animals bred at this time are more likely to get pregnant and have multiple kids. A longer breeding season allows for flexibility in breeding and kidding dates to times when the climate is more favorable and forage is available for the lactating doe. In addition, dates of ethnic/alternative markets should also be considered in the decision …
This hormone is naturally secreted from the non-pregnant uterus of the goat during the estrous cycle. It lyses (destroys) the corpus luteum so the cycle can start over. It is also secreted when it is time for birthing to help with the birthing process. Early studies with few animal numbers have shown that prostaglandin and similar hormones can be used for synchronization in cycling females. Studies have shown that during the breeding season, prostaglandin administered at a dose of …
