Rearing systems for dairy goats

Abstract

Performance data for seven groups of kids reared under a variety of management regimes within four goat herds were compared. Kids were reared by hand (five groups) or on their dam (two groups), and all but one group received goat colostrum. Maximum growth to weaning (186.8 ± 6.3 g/d) occurred among goats fed cow colostrum, pasteurized goat milk (maximum average allowance of 1.6l/d) and a ration with 12.3 MJ ME/kg DM and 252.5 g CP/kg DM available ad libitum from 1 week of age. These goats were weaned at an average age of 48.7 ± 1.5 d and an average liveweight of 12.8 ± 0.4 kg and suffered only a slight reduction in growth rate as a result of weaning (average daily gain 176.3 ± 6.2 g). By contrast, kids in the other groups grew more slowly prior to weaning (average gain 120.1 ± 7.8 to 165.5 ± 8.1 g/d) and after weaning (49.9 ± 11.1 to 100.9 ± 12.3 g/d), despite being older (average age 78.5 ± 0.8 to 102.4 ± 4.0 d) and heavier (average liveweight 13.5 ± 0.7 to 18.5 ± 1.2 kg) at weaning, and in the case of the hand-reared groups at least, despite a greater maximum average allowance of milk (2.0 vs. 1.6 l/d). Average growth rate during the first month after weaning was correlated significantly ( r=0.65, P< 0.001) with the concentration of protein in the rations offered to the six groups fed ad libitum. Significant differences ( P< 0.001) in growth rate after weaning were apparent between kids fed high protein pelleted rations (182.7 and 162.4 g CP/kg DM) and kids fed a meal containing less protein (144.89 CP/kg DM) ad libitum, and between kids fed concentrates on an ad libitum or restricted basis ( P< 0.05). These results demonstrated that intake of adequate protein from solid feed is important for successful weaning of goats, and also that the health status of goat herds influences management practices.