Effects of supplementation during late gestation on goat performance and behavior under rangeland conditions

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of peripartum feed supplementation on doe and kid BW and BCS, milk yield and composition, serum metabolites, and maternal-neonatal behavior under rangeland conditions in northern Mexico. Adult does ( = 23) were randomly assigned to 3 nutritional plane groups: 1) goats supplemented (500 g of concentrate [18% CP/kg DM, 2.7 Mcal/kg DM, and 2% salt]) from 15 d prepartum to 7 d postpartum (G15; = 8), 2) the same supplementation as G15 but from 35 d before until 7 d after kidding (G35; = 8), and 3) nonsupplemented does (GC; = 7). Supplemented goats differed from GC goats in BW (48 ± 1.8, 46.1 ± 2.5, and 44.9 ± 2.3 kg; < 0.05), milk yield (1.8 ± 0.1, 1.9 ± 0.2, and 1.2 ± 0.1 kg at d 15 postpartum; < 0.01), kid birth weights (3.8 ± 0.2, 3.6 ± 0.2, and 3.4 ± 0.2 kg; < 0.05), and kid BW at 15 d after birth (6.9 ± 0.2, 6.6 ± 0.2, and 5.6 ± 0.2 kg; < 0.05) for the G35, G15, and GC, respectively. Serum concentrations for total protein, glucose, and cholesterol were not affected ( > 0.05) by treatments. Milk of GC goats showed increased ( < 0.05) percentages for fat, protein, lactose, and nonfat milk solids, whereas total quantities of these variables where higher ( < 0.05) in the G15 and G35 groups. Furthermore, GC dams spent more time seeking their offspring and emitted more low-pitched bleats 4 h postpartum ( < 0.05) in a 2-choice test compared with the G15 and G35 groups. In general, peripartum supplementation promoted a closer dam-kid relationship at 8 h postpartum. Goat performance may be improved in this semiarid region of Mexico with marginal production through supplementation in late gestation.

The Opuntia Effect Improves Dam-Kid Metabolic Markers, Augments Colostrum Quality and Enhances Kid-To-Dam Behavioral Interactions in Crossbred Goats and their Offspring under Semiarid-Rangeland Conditions

“…These results are consistent with the outcomes obtained with a supplementation (0.500 kg of corn) offered from 14 days pre-partum [12]. Our results are also in accordance with previous results, which stated that increases in live weight and metabolic status [24,26,27] or in milk quality [28] were observed in energy protein-supplemented goats under grazing-marginal conditions. These outcomes emphasize the benefits to offer nutritional peri-partum supplementation in range-based goat production systems, generating positive effects upon both does and kids.…”

“…The test started when the mother entered the isolation pen for 30 s to hear the kid's vocalizations; then, the mother was released and the dam-to-kid interaction was recorded for 5 min. Subsequently, 8 h post-partum, the kid-to-dam behavioral test was performed using the same triangular testing enclosure, but now the ability of the kid to recognize its own or alien mother was recorded [24].…”

“…The test started when the mother entered the isolation pen for 30 s to hear the kid's vocalizations; then, the mother was released and the dam-to-kid interaction was recorded for 5 min. Subsequently, 8 h post-partum, the kid-to-dam behavioral test was performed using the same triangular testing enclosure, but now the ability of the kid to recognize its own or alien mother was recorded [24]. The response variables considered the following kid-to-dam behavioral interactions: (1) the approaches of the test animal to their offspring or dam; (2) latency to approach, from the "neutral zone" to the "contact zone", considering either alien or own dam/kid after exiting the start box; (3) contact between animals; and (4) the vocalization activity of dams and young (low and high bleats).…”

The Influence of Pregnancy and Lactation on Plasma Antioxidant Status in Aardi Goats

“…Pregnancy and lactation poses a challenge to goat industry, and also resulted in the generation of free radicals, causing damage to cell [1]. Better nutrition during late gestation may be improved in arid and semiarid regions around the globe [2]. According to Radin et al (2015) [3], goats of higher parity display higher levels of metabolism intensity…”

Suplementación pre y postparto durante la estación lluviosa en cabras locales del norte de México

“…Así mismo, Gaytán et al (2014), encontraron que la proteína es mayor en la época de lluvias (forrajes tiernos) que en la época seca (forrajes maduros), esto explicaría parcialmente el movimiento de los productores a diferentes áreas de pastoreo, sin considerar la mayor disponibilidad de forraje. Luna-Orozco et al (2015), reportan resultados similares a los encontrados en el presente estudio con cabras cruzadas en el norte de México, y donde señalan que el PV al parto fue superior en los grupos suplementados. Celi et al (2008) y Otaru et al (2011, por su parte, reportan el mismo comportamiento, donde el peso fue similar al parto.…”