Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
dairy goats. Ionophores may improve animal health and
reduce amino acid catabolism, fat mobilization, nonesteri-
fi ed fatty acids (NEFA), and ketone bodies formation.
Readers are directed to the FDA website for more updated
information on approved drugs for goats.
with raising kids (either as herd replacements or for meat
production), the breeding herd, and the herd producing
milk or fi ber.
Feeding Kids
The fi rst 3 days after birth are the most critical days in the
life of a newborn kid. Readers are referred to Chapter 8,
Digestive Physiology and Nutrient Metabolism, for more
detail about digestive function of young kids. The young
kid basically is a nonruminant that acquires all of its
required nutrients initially from colostrum and later from
milk. The kid may be separated from its doe immediately
(at some dairy farms), or it may stay with its dam. If sepa-
rated, the kid should receive colostrum for the fi rst 3 days
of its life. Colostrum is the secretion of the mammary
glands immediately after parturition. Colostrum contains
high levels of protein, milk solids, globulins, fats, and
vitamin A. Most importantly, colostrum contains antibod-
ies against the diseases to which the doe has developed
immunity. When fed during the fi rst 3 days of life, colos-
trum provides protection against diseases because these
antibodies are absorbed intact. Absorption of large proteins
will cease approximately 3 days after birth. (See Chapter
8.) Separated kids should receive milk or milk replacer
until they are weaned.
Kids should nurse as long as possible or until weaned.
Weaning age for meat goat operation usually is 3 months
while for dairy operations it usually is 3 to 4 days but can
vary with management practices. If a doe rejects its kid(s),
a surrogate doe should be found to adopt the kid(s) as soon
as possible. Colostrum from other animals or frozen
sources should be fed to the orphan newborn three times
a day, a total of 1-1.5 liters (2-3 pints) daily. After 3 days,
orphan kid(s) can be fed milk or milk replacer twice daily.
When using milk replacer, the manufacturer's directions
for feeding should be followed. Supply of milk replacer
should be gradually increased. Feeding milk or milk
replacer can continue up to 8-12 weeks or until kids are
weaned or consuming 0.25-0.5 kg of grain mix (kid starter)
daily. Diets for kids typically include a grain mix with high
fi ber (11%) and protein (16%) content plus good quality
hay and should be available starting the fi rst week to
encourage development of the rumen and GI tract.
P
ROBIOTICS
Probiotics are live, naturally occurring microorganisms fed
directly to animals. They have been shown to relieve
stress, increase dry matter intake, and improve growth.
They provide a viable culture of microorganisms in the
digestive tract that may decrease or prevent the establish-
ment of pathogenic organisms. They also may alter rumen
fermentation, optimize rumen pH, increase nutrient fl ow
through the gastrointestinal tract, improve digestibility,
and reduce stress by boosting immune function. Benefi ts
from probiotics are not always apparent. A commercial
probiotic supplement failed to affect growth performance,
diet digestibility, and carcass traits of healthy growing
meat goats (Whitley et al., 2009). Commonly used probiot-
ics include fungal cultures (Aspergillus oryzae and
Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and lactic acid bacteria
(Lactobacillus and Streptococcus).
FEEDING PRACTICES
The process of matching the nutritional requirements of
animals with the nutrient content of the feed ingredients is
referred to as “feeding practices.” The objectives of a
sound feeding practice are to (1) optimize animal perfor-
mance, (2) minimize feed cost, and (3) improve sustain-
ability of the environment. Reproductive performance of
bucks and does is crucial for a successful animal produc-
tion system. Reproductive effi ciency of does coupled with
improved kid performance will determine the economic
profi tability of the system. Through enhancing milk or
fi ber production, matching nutrient requirements with feed
ingredients will improve productivity and viability of the
system. Feeding practices for goat production are highly
variable across the globe ranging from simply tethering
animals near households in some part of the globe, exten-
sively grazing or browsing rangelands in some areas, and
intensive feeding practices in other areas. In all cases the
nutritional goal is to meet fully the nutrient requirements
of the animal. In the natural setting and given free choice,
goats as intermediate selectors, will manage their own
intake, but may or may not meet all of their nutrient and
energy requirements. With intensive production systems,
diets must be carefully formulated to assure that all nutri-
ent requirements are met. In the following section, feeding
management of the entire herd will be discussed starting
Feeding Herd Replacements
From weaning to 6 months of age, kid starter should
be fed at (0.25-0.5 kg/day) together with good quality
forage and pasture where available. Silage and nonprotein
nitrogen at this age should not be fed because the rumen
is not fully functional at this age. Fresh water should be
