Goat Lab

Question 1

US Production

Answer 1

• both meat and dairy goats
• CA leading for most dairy goats
• TX leading for meat and mohair goats
• dairy breeds can be used for meat production
• goats are seasonally polyestrous

Question 2

Alpine

Answer 2

• erect ears
• any color, but usually white, brown, black, gray coat color mixtures
• 1184 kg milk
• 3.3% fat, 2.9% protein

Question 3

Nubian

Answer 3

• long, droopy ears, Roman nose, black and tan mixed coat color
• 900 kg milk
• 4.7% fat, 3.8% protein

Question 4

Saanen

Answer 4

• erect ears
• usually white
• 1238 kg milk
• 3.3% fat, 2.9% protein

Question 5

Toggenburg

Answer 5

• erect ears, body smaller in size than other breeds
• shade of brown w/ white stripes down face, may have beard
• 718 kg milk
• 3.1% fat, 2.8% protein

Question 6

LaMancha

Answer 6

• short or no ear flaps
• any color or combo of colors
• 1018 kg milk
• 3.7% fat, 3.1% protein

Question 7

Oberhasli

Answer 7

• erect ears
• “Chamois” in color, light sandy color to deep reddish brown black stripes on face and from base of each ear connecting to dorsal stripe
• 972 kg milk
• 3.6% fat, 3.0% protein

Question 8

Boer

Answer 8

• lop ears
• white with red/brown head
• primarily a meat goat

Question 9

Angora

Answer 9

• raised for mohair (can also be used for meat)
• mohair is a fabric produced from Angora hair

Question 10

Lactation Period

Answer 10

• goat lactation periods can range from 230d to 20 mo
• lactation curve similar to that of dairy cow’s 305 day lactation period

Question 11

Buck

Answer 11

• mature male intact goat

Question 12

Doe

Answer 12

• mature female goat

Question 13

Kid

Answer 13

• young goat
• female: doeling, doe kid
• male: buckling, buck kid

Question 14

Wether

Answer 14

• castrated male goat

Question 15

BAR

Answer 15

• bright, alert, responsive
• temp: 38.4-40.0 degrees C (101.1-104.0 degrees F)
• pulse: 70-120 bpm
• rumen contractions: 1-2 per minute

Question 16

Hoof Trimming

Answer 16

• every 3-4 mo
• contributes to structural soundness, mobility, nutritional intake
• if not trimmed, bone structure and function will degrade

Question 17

High Risk Environments

Answer 17

• heavy particulate levels
• wet and muddy surfaces
• heavy manure loads
• ammonia levels

Question 18

Housing

Answer 18

• similar to dairy cattle
• loose housing, tie stalls, depending on operation size
• bucks separate from does
• woven wire fences are best for goats and need to be 4.5-5 ft high

Question 19

Goat Anatomy

Answer 19

• see lab manual pg. 57

Question 20

Puberty

Answer 20

• 120 days - 1 yr

Question 21

Estrous Cycle

Answer 21

• 21 days (19-23 days)

Question 22

Seasonally Polyestrous

Answer 22

• late summer to early fall
• late fall to early winter
• starting 60 days after the longest day of the year

Question 23

Signs of Heat

Answer 23

• standing to be mounted, swollen, red vulva and mucus discharge, bleating, shaking of tail

Question 24

Gestation

Answer 24

• 150 days (144-155; longer in larger breeds)

Question 25

Breeding

Answer 25

• traditionally and still done by hand-mating
• bringing doe to buck for single service only
• AI is also utilized

Question 26

Applied Nutrition

Answer 26

• goat GI tract is similar to sheep
• goats eat more browse (shrubs, bushes) than cattle
• lactating doe needs more nutrients (fed high-quality roughage and concentrate feed)
• dry doe fed good-quality roughage (or poor-quality + concentrates)

Question 27

Pneumonia

Answer 27

• very common and serious
• viral and bacterial agents infect the lungs due to stressors (weaning, transport, poor air quality)
• fever, coughing

Question 28

Coccidiosis

Answer 28

• caused by species-specific protozoa called coccidia that are present in every animal and the environment
• treatment: coccidiostats (monensin and decoquninate) which are additives in feed (not antibiotics)
• common symptoms: diarrhea, poor growth, rough coat, loss of appetite

Question 29

Clostridial Disease (Types C, D, T)

Answer 29

• C: bloody scours –> diarrhea
• D: pulpy kidney or overeating disease –> uncoordinated movements
• T: tetanus –> rigidness
• all three are deadly
• can vaccinate; immunity can be passed from doe to her kid for up to 8 weeks after kidding