For the third weigh period, the goats gained similar to the second weigh period, gaining an average of 2 lbs. or 0.154 lbs. per day over the previous 13 days .
The goats were worked early am on July 20 (a day early) by Susan Schoenian, Jeff Semler, Jeanne Dietz-Band, David Gordon, and Pam Thomas. Jeff weighed the goats. Susan scored the goats, and Pam recorded the data.
Gain from July 7 through July 20 ranged from -7.0 to +11.0 lbs. for individual goats. Looking at it another way, ADG ranged from -0.538 to + 0.846 lbs. for the 80 goats in the pasture test. Twelve goats lost weight, while 68 posted positive gains.
The goats had been grazing a clean, lush pasture of dwarf pearl millet, so positive weight gains were expected. However, "extreme" weight gain or loss cannot be easily explained.
The top-gaining goat for the period was a Kiko buck consigned by Mark Sweitzer (PA). It gained an incredible 11 lbs. Craig Adams (IL) and Randy Allen (TN) also had bucks than gained more than 0.5 lbs. per day during the weigh period. Merritt Burke (DE) had two bucks that topped 0.5 lbs. per day.
A goat consigned by Janet and Stephen Garrett (VA) remains the top-gaining buck in the test, as of day 42. The Spanish x Savanna buck has gained 14 lbs. since June 10. His average daily gain is 0.341 lbs.
The second and third top-gaining goats were Kiko bucks consigned by Merritt "Sam" Burke (DE). In fact, as of day 42, Burke has the top consignment of bucks. His five Kiko bucks are gaining an average of 0.259 lbs. per day.
Internal parasites
FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.56, compared to 1.62 on July 7. Collectively, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores did not vary significantly from July 7. Few goats had positive dag scores and only two required treatment for scours. Four goats were dewormed with levamisole® (Prohibit @ 3 ml/50). Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed, if other scores supported the decision.
Fecal egg counts for July 7 ranged from 0 to 3,400 and averaged 606 epg, compared to 138 epg on June 23. Eighteen goats had fecal egg counts above 1,000 epg. Only 6 goats had fecal egg counts above 2,000. Another individual fecal sample was collected from each goat on July 20.
After being worked, the goats were given access to the silovpasture, about 2 1/2 acres of cool season grasses with some warm season grass planted amongst walnut trees and mixed hardwoods. This pasture provides the most shade, an important consideration for the current spell of very hot weather.
Penned goats
For the ten goats in the pen, gain ranged from -1.0 to +6.0 lbs. for the period. The average gain was 2.4 lbs. or 0.171 lbs. per day. Some of the goats in the pen are performing very well; others, less so. The penned goats have free choice hay, but are only getting the amount of grain (pellets) that they can eat in 20 minutes time.
The goats will be worked next on August 4.
July 20 (d-42) report
The goats were worked early am on July 20 (a day early) by Susan Schoenian, Jeff Semler, Jeanne Dietz-Band, David Gordon, and Pam Thomas. Jeff weighed the goats. Susan scored the goats, and Pam recorded the data.
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| Chowing down |
Gain from July 7 through July 20 ranged from -7.0 to +11.0 lbs. for individual goats. Looking at it another way, ADG ranged from -0.538 to + 0.846 lbs. for the 80 goats in the pasture test. Twelve goats lost weight, while 68 posted positive gains.
The goats had been grazing a clean, lush pasture of dwarf pearl millet, so positive weight gains were expected. However, "extreme" weight gain or loss cannot be easily explained.
The top-gaining goat for the period was a Kiko buck consigned by Mark Sweitzer (PA). It gained an incredible 11 lbs. Craig Adams (IL) and Randy Allen (TN) also had bucks than gained more than 0.5 lbs. per day during the weigh period. Merritt Burke (DE) had two bucks that topped 0.5 lbs. per day.
 |
| Using his lips |
A goat consigned by Janet and Stephen Garrett (VA) remains the top-gaining buck in the test, as of day 42. The Spanish x Savanna buck has gained 14 lbs. since June 10. His average daily gain is 0.341 lbs.
The second and third top-gaining goats were Kiko bucks consigned by Merritt "Sam" Burke (DE). In fact, as of day 42, Burke has the top consignment of bucks. His five Kiko bucks are gaining an average of 0.259 lbs. per day.
Internal parasites
FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.56, compared to 1.62 on July 7. Collectively, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores did not vary significantly from July 7. Few goats had positive dag scores and only two required treatment for scours. Four goats were dewormed with levamisole® (Prohibit @ 3 ml/50). Goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed, if other scores supported the decision.
 |
| Under the trees |
Fecal egg counts for July 7 ranged from 0 to 3,400 and averaged 606 epg, compared to 138 epg on June 23. Eighteen goats had fecal egg counts above 1,000 epg. Only 6 goats had fecal egg counts above 2,000. Another individual fecal sample was collected from each goat on July 20.
After being worked, the goats were given access to the silovpasture, about 2 1/2 acres of cool season grasses with some warm season grass planted amongst walnut trees and mixed hardwoods. This pasture provides the most shade, an important consideration for the current spell of very hot weather.
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| Here they come |
Penned goats
For the ten goats in the pen, gain ranged from -1.0 to +6.0 lbs. for the period. The average gain was 2.4 lbs. or 0.171 lbs. per day. Some of the goats in the pen are performing very well; others, less so. The penned goats have free choice hay, but are only getting the amount of grain (pellets) that they can eat in 20 minutes time.
The goats will be worked next on August 4.
July 20 (d-42) report
