Feeding of goats Flashcards
1
Q
Breeds of goats
A
Dairy: Alpine, Anglo-Nubian, Saanen
Meat: Boer, Hungarian imperial
2
Q
Digestive physiology of goats
A
- better adapted to environmental conditions than sheep and cattle
- more selective eaters; browsers, prefer shrubs, tree leaves (80%)
- have high tolerance towards bitter taste as well as tannins (in tree leaves)
- DMI capacity is higher - 2-5% BW
- larger volume of rumen
- dense papillae in rumen —> huge surface area —> efficient absorption of VFAs
- higher number of cellulolytic bacteria
- have higher level of ammonia (due to higher DMI)
- higher level of microbial protein synthesis
- longer retention time —> netter digestibility
- high amount of saliva secreted —> increased fibre fermentation
- intensive urea recycling
- water turnover is unique: water intake is low, goats can tolerate absolute water deprivation, concentrated urine
3
Q
Breeding cycle of goats
A
- BW: 60-100 kg
- pregnancy: ~150 days
- lactation: 8,5 - 10 months (dairy goats: 900 days!)
- dry period: 2 - 3,5 months
- chemical composition of milk is close to cow’s but better (more essential AAs)
- daily milk yields is ~4 kg/day
- ~1000kg of milk per lactation
- mating: autumn (Aug-Sep)
- calving: Jan-Feb
- seasonal breeders
4
Q
Expression of energy and protein requirements for goats
A
- NE l
- MP
5
Q
BCS, flushing
A
- desirable BCS 3
- flushing is not as common as in ewes, done if BCS «< 3
6
Q
Feeding of dairy goats. Gestation without lactation
A
- first 15 weeks in first pregnancy and mid-pregnancy (6-15 weeks) in later pregnancies
- maintenance level
- pasture, forages/roughages
7
Q
Feeding of dairy goats. Late gestation and lactation
A
- last 4-6 weeks of gestation
- high energy and nutrients demand
- forages/roughages + concentrates (2,7-3 kg/day, twice at milking)
8
Q
Feeding of breeding bucks
A
- In breeding season: pasture or forages + concentrates (oats) (1-1,5 kg)+ Zn, Se supplementation
- Outside of breeding season: pastures/forages + concentrates (0,5 kg)
- **NE m, MP
- BCS: 3
9
Q
Feeding of kids (goatlings)
A
- birth BW: 2-4 kg
- colostrum! (In dairy: bootle feeding); 10% of BW
- after colostrum period, on the 2nd day of life kids are separated from life, milk replacer is fed
- milk replacer (25% CP, 28% EE)
- from 7 days creep feeds are introduced: starter diet/ oats, alfalfa hay, straw ad lib
10
Q
Feeding of young goats
A
- weaning at 6 weeks with BW of 12 kg
- mating: 7-12 months, BW ≥ 35 kg
- NO maize because rapid fermentation may lead to problems
- goat diet, concentrates (barley/oats/sorghum)
- alfalfa ad lib
11
Q
Nutritional disorders in sheep and goats
A
- pregnancy toxaemia
- hypocalcemia
- enterotoxaemia
- poliencephalomalacia
- white muscle disease
- urolithiasis
- cobalt deficiency
12
Q
Pregnancy toxaemia
A
- common disorder of ewes and does
- condition when drastically low level of blood glucose damages the brain, causes hydration, renal failure and results in death
- occurs in late gestation (last 4-6 weeks)
- caused by inadequate energy intake (energy demand is increased a lot because of tense foetal growth) —> fat is broken down —> ketone bodies are produced
13
Q
Which dams are most at risk of pregnancy toxaemia?
A
- late pregnancy with multiple foetus
- fat animals!!
- feed intake is decreased ( foetal pressure, decreased rumen volume)
- grazed on pastures low in nutrients
- diseases (foot rot, worm infestation)
- extreme weather condition
14
Q
Signs of pregnancy toxaemia
A
- decreased feed intake
- decreased rumen motility
- nervous system signs: depression, tremors, etc
- laying down for days and eventually will die (3-4 days)
15
Q
Chow can pregnancy toxaemia be treated?
A
- glucose administration
- good quality hays and oats
- inducing parturition / c-section
