Concentrate feeding effects on goats reproductive performance

Goat (Capra hircus) nannies with energy deficiencies and poor body condition often have low conception rates, low twinning rates, and kids with low birth and weaning weights. Flushing consist of an increase in the level of energy offered to goats prior to the introduction of the buck until approximately 21 days after. With this practice ovulation and implantation of the fetuses in the uterus are improved. It is important to determine what energy levels are necessary for good reproductive results. The objective of this study was to evaluate two concentrate levels (CL) feeding effects on body condition scores (BCS), body weight and kidding number of nannies, birth and weaning weight, and weight gain of goat's kids. Treatments were a high CL (600 g d of mixed grain per nanny) and a low CL (300 g d of mixed grain per nanny) in a completely randomized design. Six nannies were assigned to each treatment. Flushing started 21 d prior to the introduction of the buck and continued for 42 d after. Thereafter, all nannies were feed a low CL until parturition. Nannies were weighed every two months and BCS taken monthly. There were no effects of CL (P>0.05) on body weight, BCS, and kid numbers. However, kid birth weight was lower (2.5 kg kid"1) with the high CL compared to the low CL (3.27 kg kid"1). This was as a result of more twinning on the high CL. There was also no effect of CL on weaning weights (8.2 vs. 7.8 kg) and weight gains (860 g wk1 vs. 727g wk1) with the high and low CF, respectively. We conclude from this study that CL greater than 300 g d of mixed grain per nanny prior and after, during the matting season did not improve reproductive performance in meat goat. However, flushing studies in nannies with low BCS (<3) needs to be evaluated.