Weight Of Kids Research Articles

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP AND GOATS AT VILLAGE LEVEL IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Reproductive performance of 20 pregnant ewes and 20 pregnant does of West African Dwarf breeds at village level in Ogun State, Nigeria were compare in a study which lasted for 8 months. Litter size in ewes was 1.50 while that of does was 1.85. the number of males produced by the two species out-numbered that of females. However, multiple birth were higher in goat that in sheep. Results of birth weights and body weight of lambs and kids at 3 month of age were significantly different (P < 0.05). Lambs were heavier at birth with overall mean birth weight of 2.00kg compared with 1.48kg recorded for kids. At the age of 3 monthes the overall body weight of lamb was 10.38kg while that of kid was 7.61kg. mortality in lamb was 23.33% as against 10.81% in kids. Effective management system of West African Dwarf sheep and goats at village level before and after birth will improve the reproductive efficiency of the species

Productivity and Haematology of Semi-intensively Raised Nulliparous Nigerian Goats Following Estrus Synchronization in the Humid Tropical Environment

ABSTRACT Most Nigerian indigenous breeds of goat are raised under free range traditional system in rural communities, where their embedded genetic potentials are underexploited due to poor management practices. This study compared the productivity of phenotypically identified primigravid does belonging to three different breed types; West African Dwarf (WAD) n=17, Red Sokoto (RS) n=13 and crossbreed of WAD & RS n= 12. Synchronization was done using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) (Receptal®) at 100µg per animal, and Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) Dinoprost thromethamine (LutalyseR) at 5mg per animal. The animals were mated naturally, fed supplemented diet and allowed access into established paddocks for 190 days. The weight and the haematology of the does were monitored during the pregnancy. The gestation length (GL), litter size, weight of kids, weight distribution by sex and post-partum offspring weight changes and survival were evaluated. Data were tested for significant differences between groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA). P

Relationship between reproductive performance and meteorological variables in French Alpine goats in the northwestern part of Croatia

The study aimed to determine the relationship between reproductive performance, kidding distribution, and birth weight of French Alpine goats and meteorological variables in the northwestern part of Croatia throughout six consecutive years (from 2013 until 2018). During the study, French Alpine goats (n=948) on the 6 dairy goat farms, birthed 1025 goat kids after 893 successful matings (55 matings were unsuccessful) during six consecutive years. The average birth weight was 3.46±0.48 kg for females (n=478) and 3.71±0.51 kg for male kids (n=547). French Alpine does with single kids accounted for 85.89% (n=767), with twins 13.44% (n=120) and triplets 0.67% (n=6). The average litter size was 1.15, and the average parity was 2.95. The birth weight of goat kids in primiparous and pluriparous goats was not significantly different. Survival rate (until 1 month of age) was 93.66 % (n=960). French Alpine does fertility in northwestern Croatia, through six years was 94.18%. Seasonal kidding of French Alpine was distributed mostly on two seasons: winter (73.57%) and spring (24.52%) in the northwestern part of Croatia during six consecutive years 2013-2018. Observed differences in the kidding distribution per month during the years of observation were statistically significant (P = 0.018). The highest number of kidding was recorded in February in all years of observation. It can be concluded that there was not any relationship between monthly air temperature and precipitation amounts with tested reproductive performances in French Alpine dairy goats in the NW part of Croatia during the observed period.

Effects of body condition on the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto goats.

Effects of the body condition on the litter size, birth weight and kids survival of Red Sokoto goat were examined using seventy eight does aged 1-3 years. The does were flushed by grazing on cultivated pastures in the morning, and when indoor, they were served 500gm of concentrate ration per head per day. Their body conditions were assessed. All does used in this study fell within the body condition 1 with a mean body weight of 20.7kg and the body condition 2 with a mean weight of 24.1kg on a condition scale where 1 is poor and 2 is fair. They were randomly assigned to six sire groups and making lasted ten weeks. All does were reared as a group before and after parturition until the kids were weaned at 12 weeks. Does on condition score 2 significantly higher litter size (1.74) reared more kids to weaning (0.68) and were superior to does on condition score 1in overall productivity measured as number of kids weaned (89.21 vs 45.85%) or weight of kids weaned per doe kidding (4.92 vs 2.40kg). Does on the condition score 2 were twice condition score 1. The large difference in productivity would seem to justify investments in nutrition to breeding does prior to mating

Short note on socio economic gradients of child obesity

Stoutness among kids to be ascribed to the intergenerational transmission of parental impacts Does this pattern influence the impact of parent's financial status on corpulence? This paper records proof of an arising social inclination of heftiness in pre-younger students coming about because of a blend of both financial status and less concentrated childcare related with maternal business, when various types of intergenerational transmission are controlled for. We likewise assess and disintegrate pay related disparities in youngster corpulence. We exploit a particularly built dataset from Spain that contains records structure 13,358 people for a time-frame (a long time 2003–2006) in which a critical spike in the development of kid weight was noticed.

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on productive performances of Hilly Brown Bengal goat at Naikhongchari

The present experiment was studied to investigate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on productive performances of Hilly Brown Bengal (HBB) goats at the research farm. For this purpose, initially, a total of 69 does of different generations and 20 bucks and finally, a total of 76 does and 09 bucks were used to study productive parameters of HBB goat. The studied Animals were reared in a semi-intensive management system with natural breeding facilities. Goats were allowed to browse for 6-8 hours and mounting in hills with two times concentrates supplementation @ 1% of their body weight. Here three seasons, three generations were considered and parity was counted up to fifth. The data were statistically analyzed by using least-squares analyses of variance of the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the SPSS, 20.00. Sex of kids was significantly (p<0.05) affect the birth weight of kids, where male kids had higher birth weight (1.24 kg) than female kids (1.15 kg). Kids born in summer season had higher birth weight, litter weight, liter size, placental weight, kidding frequency, fortnightly body weight gain up to 6 months, pre and post-weaning gain with reduced mortality rate. Statistically, in summer season, approximately 11.22% and 3.45% heavier kids born, 9-10 g higher daily gain occurs in pre and post-weaning periods and 900-1100 g higher body weight at 3 months of age were found when compared with rainy and winter season respectively, where rainy season had highest body weight at 6 and 9 months of age. Highest percentage of total kidding (41.61%) was also found in summer season with reduced mortality rate (14%), while the highest mortality (64%) occurred in rainy season. Dams parity had significant (p<0.01) impact on production performances and kids mortality rate, where kids litter weight (1.60 to 2.35 kg), litter size (1.38 to 2.08) and placental weight (246.85 to 263.77 g) were increased linearly with the increment of parity up to four, while kids mortality were reduced from 36.57 to 8.44% with the increment of parity up to 5th. Results suggested that the trends of multiple births (twin and triplet) were increased with the advancement of parity, where twin and triplet kid composition increased linearly from 21 to 68% and 0 to 18% among the total kids born, respectively, while single kid percentage reduced from 79 to 14%. Best productive performances of goats were attained in 1st generation with its highest value of kids’ birth weight, weaning weight, litter weight and litter size. There had significant effect (p<0.01) of birth type on kids birth weight, body weight changes and placental weight, where single kid had 30.85% heavier birth weight than the quadruplet with highest placental weight (219.77 to 257.45 g), while highest dams post-partum weight losses (4.8 kg) occurred in triple kidded does. Reduced kid mortality from 36.56 to 1.76% and 51 to 18% can be obtained with the increment of kids’ birth weight and age, respectively.

21 Comparison of Savanna, Kiko, and Spanish Sires for Meat Goat Doe-Kid Traits

Abstract Savanna sires were evaluated for kid preweaning and doe reproductive traits over six years. Savanna (n = 17) and Kiko (n = 13) sires were bred to Kiko-base does producing 600 kids. Savanna (n = 17) and Spanish (n = 11) sires were bred to Spanish-base does producing 456 kids. Doe traits were evaluated on 536 Kiko and 441 Spanish doe exposures. Kids were weighed at birth and when weaned at 3 mo of age. Non-genetic factors sex and litter size influenced (P < 0.05) kid performance traits as expected. Birth weights of kids from Kiko does were heavier (P < 0.01) for Savanna sires than Kiko sires (3.11 vs. 2.83 ± 0.08 kg). Birth weights of kids from Spanish does were heavier (P < 0.01) for Savanna sires than Spanish sires (3.05 vs. 2.76 ± 0.09 kg). Sire breed did not affect (P < 0.05) weaning weight from Kiko does (15.0 vs 14.8 ±0.6 kg). Savanna sires generated heavier (P < 0.05) weaning weights than Spanish sires (14.2 vs. 13.3 ± 0.6 kg) from Spanish does. Sire breed did not affect ADG or kid survival rates in either doe group. Non-genetic factors litter size and age of dam affected (P < 0.05) doe performance traits in both doe groups. Savanna sires produced heavier litters (P < 0.01) at birth compared to Kiko sires on Kiko does (10.7 vs. 9.7 ± 0.4 kg) and compared to Spanish sires on Spanish does (9.4 vs. 8.3 ± 0.5 kg). Service sire breed did not affect kidding or weaning rate, number of kids born or weaned, or litter weaning weight in either doe group. Savanna sires consistently increased birth weight values. Sire breed did not consistently affect weaning weight values and did not influence other preweaning kid traits or doe reproductive traits.

Effects of nutritional practices in different periods on some yield characteristics of Kilis goats

Aims: In this study, the effects of supplementary feeding during gestation and lactation period on birth and weaning weights of kids and milk yield of dams in Kilis goats were investigated.Methods and Results: In the study, experimental goats were divided into three groups as control group, short-term feeding (STF) group and long-term feeding (LTF) group. The control group was kept under breeder’s management conditions. Supplementary feed of 750 g/head/day were given to the goats from the last 20 days of gestation to 90th days after birth in the STF group, and from last 40 days of gestation to the end of lactation in LTF group. At the end of the experiment, the highest lactation period was 220.2 days in the LTF group, followed by STF and control groups (P <0.05). Likewise, in the LTF and STF groups, the lactation milk yield, which was determined as 466.2 and 426.3 liters respectively, was higher than the control group (316.4 liters) (P <0.05).Conclusions: It was concluded that supplementary feeding during gestation and lactation periods caused an increase in milk yield and lactation length of Kilis goats.Significance and Impact of the Study: At the end of study, it can be stated that if supplementary feeding is made during gestation or lactation, milk yield characteristics of Kilis goats will be improved. Suckling period for the goats is the period when pasture conditions are good. For this reason, even in the goats managed only in the pasture, milk yield of mothers is sufficient for multiple born kids.

Genetic analysis of reproduction, body weight and mohair production in South African Angora goats

Abstract Genetic parameters for South African Angora goats were estimated from body weight, mohair production and reproduction data collected from birth on ram and ewe kids, as well as on the adult ewes in three herds from 2000 to 2015. Medium heritabilities were estimated for body weight from birth until 12-month of age and adult body weight, while a high heritability was estimated for 16-month body weight. Heritability for fibre diameter and spinning fineness was high, while a low heritability was estimated for standard deviation of fibre diameter along the length of the staple and for staple length. Medium heritabilities were estimated for fleece weight and the remainder of the fibre traits. Low heritabilities were estimated for all reproductive traits. Heritability estimates of lifetime number of kids born and weaned were higher than the heritability estimated on the individual records. Expressing lifetime number of kids weaned per kidding opportunity further increased the heritability. There were favourable significant genetic correlations of total weight of kids weaned (TWW) with adult body weight and fibre diameter, but significant unfavourable genetic correlations of TWW with adult fleece weight. Fleece weight was, however, unfavourably correlated with fibre diameter. Early fleece weights were genetically favourably correlated with all the adult traits, except with adult fibre diameter. The opposite is true for early fibre diameter, which were genetically unfavourably correlated with all the adult traits, except with adult fibre diameter. Early body weights were also genetically favourably correlated with all the adult traits, except with adult fibre diameter. Maiden ewe reproductive performance at the first parity was favourable genetically correlated with lifetime reproductive performance. Different selection strategies are proposed for ram and ewe selection, where ewe selection should focus on improving reproduction, while the fleece traits should be accommodated under ram selection. Selection of young ewes should be based on early body weight and TWW at the first parity. Too much selection pressure on early fleece weight and fibre diameter should be avoided in the selection of young ewes.

English

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of flushing on the reproductive and body weight change on Abergelle breed does. The study indicated that a mix of 300 or 450 g wheat bran (WB) with 50 g noug seed cake (NSC) flushed per day improved the does’ conception rate (70 to 80%) and kidding rate (70%); while does flushed with low concentrate level (150 g WB plus 50 g NSC) or those not flushed had poor and reduced conception and kidding rate almost by half from the flushed ones. However, the high concentrate level is not strategic to reduce abortion rate. Does flushed with high concentrate level (300 and 450 g WB mix with 50 g NSC) were significantly (p<0.05) better in body weight at kidding (18.52 kg) and postpartum weight (19.48 kg) than does flushed with low concentrate level (16.44 and 17.70 kg, respectively). As the concentrate levels supplementation of their dam increased, birth weight of kids increased (1.73 to 2.36 kg). Therefore, the conception rate, postpartum weight, kid production of Abergelle goat can improve by flushing with 300 g WB and 50 g NSC concentrated feed. However, its effect on the reduction of abortion rate is not promising. Further study is needed on the abortion problem. Key words: Abortion rate, birth weight, body weight, conception rate, concentrated feed, goat, kidding rate, supplementation. &nbsp

Monitoring Body Weight Gain of Goat Kids for Improving Productivity

Goat husbandry has been supporting the livelihood of over 100 million families living in arid and semi-arid regions of Asia and Africa, but most of them have not been able to earn substantial income, due to poor goat husbandry practices. Key factors influencing goat productivity have been - better management of pregnant does, high weight of kids at birth and acceleration of weight gain during pre-weaning period, apart from general factors such as goat breed, efficient breeding service, health care and marketing. This paper has identified various factors contributing to poor status of goats owned by small goat keepers and suggestions to improve the weight of kids at birth and the growth rate during pre-weaning and post weaning periods, through supplementary feeding and regular monitoring of weight. A suitable extension tool in the form of a Growth Monitoring Chart for different breeds can be developed, which goat keepers can readily use for taking suitable corrective measures. Goat keepers should also be advised on culling weak animals at an early age and replacing them with healthy animals to improve the production.

Impacts of Chromium and Selenium-E on Cortisol Levels, Reproductive and productive Efficiency of Baladi Female Goats under Subtropical Conditions.

The present study was conducted during estrous cycle and pregnancy period in Baladi female goats to study the effect of chromium and selenium with vitamin E on blood serum cortisol concentration. Seventy-two of mature Baladi does with age ranged from 2 to 3 years old and the mean body weight was 25.1±1.5 kg was used under two conditions of winter and summer seasons (36 animals/season). The animals were randomly divided into three groups, the 1st group was kept as control and the 2nd group was supplemented by chromium (chromium chloridetrivalent), 0.8 mg/head/day. The 3rd group was intramuscularly injected twice a week with 2ml viteselen®, contained 0.5 mg selenium and 10.7 IU vitamin E (Se-E). Serum cortisol levels were assessed in the three experimental goats during the estrous and pregnancy periods. The results demonstrated that Goats supplementation with Cr or Se-E significantly decreased (P<0.05) serum cortisol concentrations than control during estrous cycle. In addition, Cr mostly lowered (P<0.05) cortisol than control, but Se-E thoroughly increased it during pregnancy. However, under mild season at pro-estrus phase Cr treatment increased cortisol significantly (P<0.05) than control. Also, during pregnancy period Cr decreased cortisol at Mid-Pregnancy and Late-Pregnancy periods; however, Se-E increased cortisol at the Late-Pregnancy period than the control group. Under hot season, Cr treatment decreased (P<0.05) cortisol during estrous cycle, pregnancy period. However, injection of Se-E decreased cortisol during estrous cycle and showed a contrary effect during pregnancy period. On the other side, Reproductive traits of female goats showed that, under mild season conditions Cr or Se-E supplementations did not have any effect on goat’s reproductive traits, in terms of conception rate, kidding rate, fertility rate, prolificacy and fecundity compared to control group. Under hot season conditions, Cr and Se-E improved both of fertility and conception rate, as well as, increased fecundity percentage more than control. Cr group had lowest prolificacy, however; Se-E had the highest one compared to control. Chromium group had significantly (P<0.05) higher birth weight of kids than control and Se-E either at mild or hot season. However, injection of Se-E did not affect litter birth weight under mild and hot conditions.So,It can be concluded that Cr and Se-E supplementation can enhanced the reproductive and productive traits of female Baladi goats under hot season.

A Study on Growth Performance of Weaned Kids of Sirohi Goat Fed with Different Levels of Concentrates

The present investigation was conducted a study on growth performance of weaned kids of Sirohi goat fed with different levels of concentrates for the effect of concentrate feeding on body weight gain. Twenty four kids of Sirohi breed between 3–4 months age were randomly selected on the basis of uniform body weight, age and divided into 3 groups of 8 kids each at the goat farm of S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner. Group T1 served as control supplemented with 50 g concentrate per kid per day for 3 months. Group T2 (treatment) supplemented with 50, 100 and 150 g concentrate and T3 (treatment) with 100, 150 and 200 g concentrate per head per day for 1st, 2nd and 3rd month, respectively. Other management practices were similar for each group. Fodder of khejri loom was offered ad-libitum to all groups. Body weight of kids was recorded weekly. Group T3 fed with more quantity of concentrate achieved the highest (85.77 g/day) average weekly weight gain followed by T2 (69.22 g/day) and control group T1 (61.33 g/day). Maximum average total weight gain per kid was observed in group T3 (7.72 kg) followed by T2 (6.23 kg) and least was found in T1 (5.52 kg). Thus, from above findings it can be concluded that T2 and T3 treatments showed significantly improved growth performance in Sirohi kids and higher level (T3) was relatively the best level in terms of both biological and economical returns.

Effect of litter size, kidding age, mating weight, and kidding weight on partial cumulative milk yields in G1 Sapera goat

Milk Production of the dairy goat is influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors. Crossbred dairy goat of Sapera (50% Saanen, 50% PE) has been formed by the Indonesian Research Institute for Animal Production (IRIAP). Genetic improvement of milk production is the main trait considered in forming Sapera goat, so the effects of non-genetic factors on milk production should be investigated. Effects of litter size, kidding age, mating weight and kidding weight were examined on weekly cumulative milk yields (week 1-14) in Generation 1 (G1) Sapera goat (28 heads) at RIAP. General Linear Model for unbalanced data was used to study the effects of those four factors, while mean differences among subfactors were tested by the Duncan test. The G1 Sapera does had kidding age, litter size, mating weight, and kidding weight successively 4.22±1.45 yrs old, 2.07±0.55, 49.0±11.43 kg, and 44.4±11.75 kg. Higher litter sizes resulted in more milk yields, but litter size effects decreased by the lengthening lactation. Kidding age at ≥ 5 yrs old produced higher milk yields than the younger does (3 and 4 years old). The mating weight did not affect milk yields, while does having kidding weigh ≥ 70 kg resulted from lower milk than other weights. Considerable variation for various partial cumulative milk yields among G1 Sapera does have a good indication for possible selection on milk production in Sapera dairy goat.

EFFECT OF GRAZING TIME ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GOAT IN HALAIB – SHALATEEN REGION

EFFECT OF GRAZING TIME ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GOAT IN HALAIB – SHALATEEN REGION

The effect of the subclinical small ruminant lentivirus infection of female goats on the growth of kids.

A longitudinal observational study was carried out to evaluate the influence of prenatal exposure to small ruminant lentivirus(SRLV)-infected does on the body weight (BWT) of young kids. The study was carried out in years 2001–2017 in the research dairy goat herd. Goats in the herd were regularly serologically tested and individuals showing clinical signs of caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) were promptly culled. As a result all goats enrolled in the study were asymptomatic. Moreover, kids were weaned immediately after birth, fed on bovine colostrum and kept in strict separation from mothers to prevent SRLV lactogenic transmission. Kids were weighed immediately after birth, and then 1–3 times within the first 3 months of life. In total 620 goat kids were weighed at least once, excluding weighing at birth, providing 992 BWT records. The mixed linear model including four variables fitted as random effects (doe, kid, the year of kid’s birth and the exact age of a kid at weighing) and four potential confounders fitted as fixed effects (parity, kid’s sex, litter size and birth body weight) was developed and showed that BWT was not significantly associated with SRLV serological status of a doe, regardless of the time for which does had been infected before the delivery of the kid (p = 0.242). This study provides strong evidence that kids born to SRLV-infected does grow equally well as kids from uninfected does, provided that the lactogenic viral transmission is prevented by maintaining strict separation between the offspring and mothers. This observation is important for choosing the most optimal strategy of CAE control in a goat herd.

Effect of production system on growth performances and meat traits of suckling Messinese goat kids

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the production system on growth performances and meat quality of suckling Messinese goat kids. At birth, 102 suckling kids were divided into two homogeneous groups for sex and body weight (3.4 kg); animals of the SES group were fed exclusively with spontaneous pasture and kept in the stable during the evening; animals of the ES group were fed exclusively with spontaneous pasture, characterised by the presence of Quercus suber, and kept exclusively outdoors. From birth to weaning, kids were weighed every10 days. At slaughter, carcase yields and meat quality traits on the Longissimus dorsi muscle were studied. Data were subjected to ANOVA. ES group showed the highest final body weight (10.53 kg vs. 9.40 kg; p < .001). As regard the meat traits, ES group showed the lowest final pH (5.63 vs. 5.96; p < .001), the lowest value of Hue (46.24 vs. 62.64; p < .005) and the highest values of cooking loss (ES 25.53% vs. SES 19.60%; p < .05) and shear force (ES 5.04 kg/cm2 vs. SES 3.63 kg/cm2; p < .05). Chemical composition showed similar values in both groups. Meat fatty acid composition showed the highest values of MUFA (45.89% vs. 40.90%; p < .05) and PUFA (0.14% vs. 0.11%; p < .05) and the lowest of ω – 6/ω – 3 ratio (4.89 vs. 6.98; p < .05) and Thrombogenic Index (1.64 vs. 1.98; p < .05) in the ES group. The results confirm the favourable characteristics of goat meat and the relation between the typical production system of goats in the Nebrodi area and their performances. HIGHLIGHTS The production system did not affect the weight of kids at birth, while there were significant differences in kid’s performance in relation to the breeding system. The chemical composition of the LD muscle was not affect by the production system. The production system significantly influenced the fatty acid composition of the meat. The meat quality parameters studied reflect the modern guidelines for a healthy diet recommend, that reduce the animal fat consumption, especially if rich in saturated fatty acids, and could be a tool to identify and characterise a product with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) as ‘capretto Messinese’.

Impact of simplified methods of growth recording on genetic parameter estimates of Tunisian local goat population under a low input production system

The study aims to simulate the alternative methods of simplifying weight recording of Tunisian local kids and assesses the impact of their use from a genetic point of view to set up the basis for the future improvement of this important component of efficient production. A total of 13,095 weight records of 945 kids, progeny of 285 females and 19 males were collected over a period of 16 years in the caprine herd of the Arid Areas Institute of Médenine (South East of Tunisia).Weights were taken at six standard ages (10, 30, 60, 90,120 and 150 days) at a weekly pace. Alternative simplified schemes were simulated by skipping from 1–7 weeks of recording and performance in terms of predicting weights at the standard ages was evaluated. In addition, random regression model (RRM) including age of females, interaction sex × type of birth, interaction year × month of birth was used as fixed effects. Also, animal- and maternal permanent environmental as random effects, were fitted to the data set. Alternative simplified recording systems were then evaluated in terms of modifications in estimated genetic parameters and correlations among estimated breeding values. Results showed that 1–3 weeks of time between recordings yielded accurate estimates of weights at the standard ages. The effect of the simplified weight recording was especially relevant at the extreme weights, at 10 and at 150 days of age, that the spacing of successive controls affects the accuracy of the estimate. The lack of registration of birth weight showed a significant deterioration in the estimate of weight at 10 days. Only the simplification of the weights recording to one and two-week resulted in direct and maternal heritability’s for the different growth traits of local kids, similar to those obtained by the standard age growth recording. Selecting the critical ages that define changes in growth components seems to be more critical than using more frequent weighing in terms of estimation of the genetic components of weight of kids in this population. Highlights This type of local kids measurement simplification can be seen as an alternative: ^ To enhance the economical aspect of the sheep recording scheme. ^ Reduce animal disturbance. According to the results of this study, the adoption of a common growth control system seems difficult since the breeding objectives and for farming systems are not the same.

Effects of oral administration of colostrum whey in peripartum goat on antimicrobial peptides in postpartum milk.

The present study was conducted to examine whether colostrum supplementation in peripartum goats increases the antimicrobial peptides in their milk. Goats were orally administered 2ml of colostrum whey products (colostrum group) or water (control group) daily, from 2weeks before until 2weeks after kidding. Body weights of mothers and kids were measured. Blood, milk, and fecal samples were collected from the mothers, and blood samples were collected from the kids. Concentrations of milk antimicrobial peptides (beta-defensin, cathelicidin, lactoferrin, S100A7, lactoperoxidase, and immunoglobulin A [IgA]) were determined. IgA and nutritional parameters (glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, ketone bodies, and non-esterified fatty acids) were also determined in the blood of mothers and kids. Milk IgA and lactoferrin concentrations were higher in the colostrum group than in the control group. Conversely, lower milk concentrations of S100A7 were observed in the colostrum group than that in the control group. Plasma IgA concentrations were higher for kids from the colostrum group than for those from the control group. These results suggest that oral administration of colostrum in pregnant goats increases IgA concentration in postpartum milk, which can subsequently improve the health of their kids.

Effect of prepartum dietary energy source on goat maternal metabolic profile, neonatal performance, and economic profitability.

Objective:This work aimed at studying dietary energy supplementation effects during late pregnancy upon the metabolic status of does, as well as on the birth weight (BW), body temperature, and metabolic profile for their kids and the net economic profit.Materials and Methods:Eighty pregnant does (Egyptian Nubian) were equally split into four dietary treatments; the control (CON) receiving basal diet, the basal diet with 200 gm corn starch and 100 gm of molasses /h/d added (MS), the basal diet with 300 gm/h/d of corn grains added (CG), and the basal diet with 300 gm/h/d of barley grains added (BG).Results:Body weight and temperature of kids were significantly higher in MS and BG groups, respectively. The serum concentration of albumin (Alb), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are significantly decreased. At the same time, urea and vitamin A increased dramatically in the BG group before giving birth. After birth, conversely, the serum concentration of albumin, AST, ALT, cholesterol, and vitamin A significantly increased with energy supplementation. Kids in the BG group show the most high level of albumin. Furthermore, all supplemented groups increased dramatically in vitamin A. The economic efficiency of the MS group, followed by the BG group, was significantly higher compared to the other treatments.Conclusion:It is beneficial for Egyptian farmers to feed extra concentrate (especially barley) to the does during late gestation stages to produce healthy kids with optimal BW and body temperature, as well as to avoid metabolic disorders that may affect the does at this critical stage. Finally, it can be said that this dietary supplementation may also increases the profit margins of the farmers.