Goats Flashcards
Three types of goats
-dairy
-meat
-fiber
Lactation period for goats
284 days
When is peak production during the lactation period?
4-6 weeks after kidding
What is the difference between goat milk and cow milk?
-the fat globules in goat milk are suspended longer
-“natural homogenization” - there is no fat line
Which dairy breeds produce the most milk?
-saanen
-toggenburg
-oberhasli
Which dairy breeds produce the least milk?
-nubian
-lamancha
-alpine
Where did goats originate?
western asia
What type of goat makes up 80% of the population?
meat goats
What is cabrito meat?
meat from 4-8 week old kids
What is chevon meat?
meat from 6-9 month old goats
What is the primary meat goat breed?
boer
Description of goat meat
-low in cholesterol and fat
-contains linoleic acid
-high collagen (reduces palatability and tenderness)
-leaner and less tender than other meats
What fibers are luxury fibers?
cashmere and mohair
What goats does mohair fiber come from?
angora goats
How are goats grazing habits classified?
browsing animals
How do goats prefer to eat?
with their heads raised
When allowed free choice what do goats choose?
60% browse, 30% grasses and legumes, and 10% weedy plants
How do goats graze on pasture?
-from the top to the bottom
-do not graze near the soil surface
-like to graze along fencelines
When do Does reach puberty?
4-5 months
What body weight should does be bred at?
70-80 lbs.
What age should does be bred at?
around 7-10 months of age
What type of estrous cycle do goats have?
they are polyestrous but slightly seasonality (autumn months)
When do goats peak sexual activity?
autumn months
How long is the estrous cycle?
21 days
How long are goats in estrus?
13-36 hours
What sexual behaviors do does show in heat?
-wagging their tails
-mounting other does
-swollen vulva
-increased vocalization (bleating)
How long is a does gestation period?
148-152 days
How much do kids weigh at birth?
5-8 lbs.
When are kids weaned?
60 days of age
How many kids do does normally have?
twins are common, sometimes triplets in mature does
When do goats get sent to market?
right at 60 days when they are weaned
How many mammary glands and teats do does have?
2 mammary glands and 2 teats
Where are tattoos placed on the LaMancha breed?
the tail web (since they have gopher or elf ears)
Where are tattoos normally located on goats?
ears (usually paired with another form of identification)
When does chemical disbudding occur?
3-4 days after birth
Chemical disbudding
-clip hair tufts away where horns appear to erupt
-apply chemical dehorning (paste, liquid, or stick) directly to the horn bud area
Disbudding iron
-hot iron is pressed firmly against the head
-the heat sears the hair and skin and destroys the epidermis of the horn bud
Deoderizing
-optional
-removing the musk or scent glands on bucks
-glands are located behind and along the inside edge of each horn base
-done when disbudding
-hot iron is reapplied 1/2 in. behind and towards the center from the disbudded horn buds
Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL)
-contagious bacterial infection of the lymph nodes
-able to survive in the soil for years
-two forms: external and internal
How is caseous lymphadentitis spread?
spread through contact with pus containing organisms, contaminated soil, bedding, feed, equipment, or flies
External CL
-external abscesses grow to several inches
-with time the skin thins and weakens allowing the lymph node to rupture (greenish-white pus)
-gets them on their jaws, shoulder, lower flank, and udder
Internal CL
-abscesses develop on lymph nodes deep within goat’s body
-lymph nodes enlarge causing weight loss and reduced weight gain
-common cause of carcass condemnation at slaughter
-mainly in chest cavity
-difficult to detect
Treatment of internal CL
-difficult to detect and treat
-long-term antibiotic treatment
Treatment of external CL
-isolating infected animals
-lancing abscesses
Prevention of CL
-newly purchased goats should be isolated and screened
-vaccinate against CL
-fly control
Barber pole worm
-most economically important parasite in goat production
-worm causes anemia during grazing season
-tooth lacerates the abomasum wall
What is used to identify which goats to deworm for barber pole worm?
FAMACHA card
-match the color of the eye mucous membranes to 5 color categories on the card
-darker red = no need to deworm
-lighter pink/yellow = deworm
-match the color of the pinkest portion of the mucous membranes to the card
Alpine category
dairy
Alpine color pattern
-cou blanc = white front quarters, black hindquarters
-cou noir = black front quarters, white hindquarters
-pied = spotted
Alpine physical description
-medium sized
-erect ears
Alpine country of origin
Switzerland
Alpine goats are known for:
adaptability
Angora category
fiber
Angora color pattern
off white, cream color
Angora physical description
horned with heavy dropping ears and curly mohair
Angora country of origin
asia minor (Angora)
Angora goats are known for:
value of mohair (produces 5.3 lbs/shearing)
Boer category
meat
Boer color pattern
white body with a red head
Boer physical description
muscular, stocky build and heavy bone structure
Boer country of origin
South Africa
Boer goats are known for:
growth rates and carcass qualities
LaMancha category
dairy
LaMancha color pattern
any color combination
LaMancha physical description
straight face, distinct ears
-elf ears - max 2 in. turned up or down
-gopher ears - max 1 in. ends turned up or down, little cartilage
LaMancha country of origin
United States
LaMancha goats are known for:
high butterfat production, hardy, and sturdy
Nubian category
dairy
Nubian color pattern
any color combination
Nubian physical description
-convex (Roman) nose
-long, wide, and pendulous ears
Nubian country of origin
England
Nubian goats are known for:
high butterfat and milk production
Oberhasli category
dairy
Oberhasli color pattern
-bay ranging from light to deep red
-black on face
-dorsal stripe
-black belly and udder
-black legs below knees (Chamoisee)
Oberhasli physical description
medium size, erect ears, and dish face
Oberhasli country of origin
Switzerland
Oberhasli goats are known for:
vigorousness
Saanen category
dairy
Saanen color pattern
white or cream colored
Saanen physical description
large size and erect ears
Saanen country of origin
Switzerland
Saanen goats are known for:
rugged bone and vigor
Toggenburg category
dairy
Toggenburg color pattern
light fawn to dark chocolate body, with white markings on ears, muzzle, hind legs, forelegs, and side of tail
Toggenburg physical description
medium sized and erect eats
Toggenburg country of origin
Switzerland
Toggenburg goats are known for:
sturdy and vigorous
