Fitness indicators among Boer, Kiko, and Spanish Does Managed in the Southeastern United States.

R. Browning, Jr.*, T. Payton, B. Donnelly, P. Pandya, M. L. Leite-Browning, W.
Hendrixson, S. Kebe, M. Byars. Tennessee State University, Nashville
 

Boer (BR; n = 42), Kiko (KK; n = 38), and Spanish (SP; n = 47) straightbred does were semi-intensively managed together on pasture. About 75% of each breed were mated for March kidding and the other 25% bred for May kidding. Herd health records were analyzed for the production year of September 2003 to August 2004. Does were treated for hoof scald and hoof rot upon observed lameness. The herd was not vaccinated for hoof rot.

Breeds differed (P < 0.01) for lameness cases treated during the year. Hoof treatments were more numerous (P < 0.01) for BR (1.77 ± 0.22 cases/doe) than for SP (0.60 ± 0.22 cases/doe) and KK (0.47 ± 0.24 cases/doe). A higher (P < 0.01) frequency of BR (52.3%) required two or more hoof treatments per year compared with SP (19.2%) and KK (10.5%).

Does were dewormed as a group in January (ivermectin) and individually at parturition (moxidectin). Does kidding in March were also dewormed as a group in June (moxidectin). Individual does presenting clinical symptoms of internal parasitism received additional moxidectin treatments.

Breeds differed (P < 0.01) for extra anthelmintic treatment. Additional dewormings were more numerous for BR (0.53 ± 0.09 cases/doe) than for SP (0.11 ± 0.09 cases/doe) and KK (0.07 ± 0.10 cases/doe). A higher (P <0.01) frequency of BR (40.5%) received extra dewormings during the year compared with SP (6.4%) and KK (2.6%). Fecal egg counts were determined on a random subset of does (19 BR, 15 KK, 18 SP) across the kidding groups as kids approached weaning at 3 mo of age (June and August). Breed tended to effect (P < 0.08) fecal egg counts with values elevated (P < 0.01) for BR does (1548 ± 426 eggs/g), but not significantly for KK (470 ± 493 eggs/g) or SP does (241 ± 440 eggs/g). Lower frequencies (P < 0.01) of BR does weaned kids at 3 mo (76%) and survived though the production year (74%) compared with SP (96%, 98%) and KK does (100%, 100%).

Meat goat breeds seem to differ for indicator traits of fitness under Southeastern US conditions.