371 Influence of Breeding Season Lameness on Reproductive Performance in Meat Goat Does

Abstract

Abstract Over four years, 564 performance records from 235 does were processed to determine if lameness during the breeding season affected reproductive outcomes in meat goats. Lameness cases were recorded during routine daily herd wellness checks and treated within a short time after diagnosis. Does were bred between September and January. Kids were weaned at 3 mo of age. Fall (September-November) and winter (December-February) records were used to classify does each year as having experienced lameness (LAME) or no recorded lameness case (NOLC) by season. In the fall (F) there were 396 NOLC does and 168 LAME does. Spring kidding rates were greater (P < 0.05) for NOLC-F than for LAME-F (77.1 ± 4.5% vs. 67.9 ± 6.1%). Whole-herd litter size at kidding was greater (P < 0.05) for NOLC-F than for LAME-F (1.18 vs. 1.02 ± 0.1 kids/doe). Summer weaning rates tended to differ (P = 0.08) between the fall lameness groups (NOLC = 68 ± 3.3%; LAME = 59.5 ± 4.6%). Whole-herd litter size at weaning was greater (P < 0.01) for NOLC-F than for LAME-F (0.97 ± 0.05 vs. 0.78 ± 0.06 kids). In the winter (W) there were 473 NOLC does and 87 LAME does. Spring kidding rates were greater (P < 0.01) for NOLC-W than for LAME-W (77.6 ± 4.1% vs. 58.6 ± 7.5%). Whole-herd litter size at kidding was greater (P < 0.01) for NOLC-W than for LAME-W (1.17 vs. 0.9 ± 0.09 kids). Summer weaning rates was higher (P < 0.01) for NOLC-W than for LAME-W (68.5 ± 3.2% vs. 53.0 ± 5.9%). Whole-herd litter size at weaning was higher (P = 0.01) for NOLC-W than for LAME-W (0.95 ± 0.05 vs. 0.73 ± 0.08 kids). Results suggest that lameness in does during the breeding season may negatively impact reproductive outcomes.