We weren't scheduled to weigh the goats for another two weeks, but we've decided to weigh them whenever we work them, due to the dry conditions. Weights and body condition scores will help us determine how long to keep the test going. We moved the goats back to the field of pearl millet. Without rain, we figure we've got 1 to 2 weeks of grazing left.
Performance declined as a result of the declining forage base. Average daily gain for the previous 14 days ranged from -0.29 to 0.57 lbs. per day, with an average of only 0.16 lbs. per day. Nine of the goats lost weight during the past 14 days. Average daily gain for the 42 days of the test ranged from 0.14 to 0.52 lbs. per day for an average of 0.29 lbs. per day. During the first 28 days of the test, the goats averaged 0.422 lbs. per day.Body condition scores remain relatively constant, though a few goats lost half of a score this time. FAMACHA© scores still ranged from 1 to 3, for an average of 2.04. Scores were slighter poorer than two weeks ago (1.94). Three goats were dewormed with moxidectin (Cydectin®). All three had FAMACHA© scores of 3, but we decided to deworm them due to their body condition scores (<3) and weight loss.
Download August 3 Report - 42-d weights
