Top gaining goats on test

After 42 days, the top gaining goat in the test is a Southeastern (Kiko) cross buck consigned by Robie Robinson, Bluestem Farms, Amelia, VA. #1025 is averaging 0.52 lbs. per day of gain. During the past 14 days, when nine of the goats lost weight, #1025 gained 0.57 lbs. per day. He has not required deworming, though his 28-day fecal egg count was high at 3,029 epg. Robinson's five goats on test are averaging 0.39 lbs. per day: tops in the test.

Two goats are tied for second highest rate of gain. #1379 is a purebred Kiko buck consigned by Jeanne Dietz-Band, Many Rocks Farm, Keedysville, MD. #1379 is averaging 0.48 lbs. per day. Dietz-Band's ten goats on test are averaging an impressive 0.38 lbs. per day.

#706 is a Kiko cross buck consigned by Don Smith, Back 60 Goat Farm, Charlottsville, VA. #706 is also gaining 0.48 lbs. per day. Smith's eight goats on test are averaging 0.31 lbs. per day.

28-day fecal egg counts were 560 and 2,050 epg for the two second fastest gaining goats, respectively. Neither goat has required anthelmintic treatment or other special attention. Of course, few of the goats on test have required anthelmintic treatment, due to the extremely dry weather.

There are 11 goats (out of 47) that are gaining more than 0.4 lbs. per day. Six are from the consignment of Jeanne Dietz-Band, Many Rocks Farm. The seven crossbred wethers in the test are averaging 0.33 lbs. per day.

There are three fullblood Boer bucks on test. They are doing well, averaging 0.32 lbs. per day. They have not required deworming or treatment of any kind. They have generally maintained their superior body condition. Two had 28-day fecal egg counts of less than 500 epg. Most of the crossbred goats in the test are Boer x Kiko.

Many of the bucks in the test are for sale via private treaty. Contact Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 x343 if you require contact information for any of the consigners.