The recent heat wave is being blamed for the lack of gain during this second weigh period. While a "cold" front broke the heat wave a few days ago, higher temperatures have again been forecast. High humidity is common for Western Maryland, but triple-digit temperatures are usually not.
For the past 14 days (July 28-July 12), gain ranged from -4 to +4 lbs. for an average of 0.53 ±2.1 lbs. The median gain was 1 lb. over the 14-day period. Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.286 to 0.286 lbs. per day for an average of 0.038 ±0.15 lbs. (17 ± 68 g) per day. The median ADG was 0.071.
Only two goats gained 4 pounds (0.286 lbs/d) during this period: a Kiko x Spanish buck consigned by Waldo Nelson (MD) and a purebred Kiko consigned by Jill Zink (IN). They were the top gainers.
Barnes buck is top gainer
For the 28-day duration of the test, gain ranged from to -0.071 to 0.482 lbs. per day for an average of 0.183 ±0.11 lbs. (83 ±50 g) per day. The median 28-d ADG is 0.196. Only two goats have failed to gain weight during the early part of the test.
So far, the top-gaining buck is #5, a Kiko, consigned by Kendall and Dana Barnes (KY). It is gaining almost a half pound per day. The second highest gaining buck is a Kiko consigned by Jill Zink. It is gaining 0.339 lbs. per day. Zink is a new consigner.
FAMACHA© scores improve
FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.69 ±0.7, compared to 1.92 two weeks ago. The median FAMACHA© score was 2. Only one goat required deworming. It was dewormed with oral moxidectin (Cydectin®) at 2x the sheep dose.
Body condition and coat condition scores averaged 2.44 ±0.26 and 2.00 ±0.14, respectively, and were slightly lower than two weeks ago. Only one goat had a positive dag score (3), though a few had loose stools.
Low worm egg counts
For the fecal samples collected on June 28, fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 1,525 epg and averaged 237 ±401 epg. The median FEC was 59 epg. The 6/28 egg counts were slightly above June 14 counts, but still very low and not indicative of a current or pending worm problem. Due to test protocol, egg counts don't usually rise until towards the end of the test.
The pooled fecal sample collected on June 28 is still "incubating" (in Delaware). The eggs must hatch and develop into third stage larvae before the species of strongyle-type worms can be identified (from the larvae). Since the 6/28 egg count was so low, it's possible that there won't be enough eggs for identification purposes. This has happened in the past, after the initial dewormings.
The goats were worked today by Jeff Semler, Erin Canfield, Mary Beth Bennett, Susan Schoenian, and Pam Thomas. Jeff weighed the goats. Susan scored the goats. Data were recorded by Pam Thomas and a student volunteer. The goats will be worked next on Thursday, July 26.
If you have any questions about the data being reported, please feel free to contact Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 x343.
Download July 12 (d-28) report
For the past 14 days (July 28-July 12), gain ranged from -4 to +4 lbs. for an average of 0.53 ±2.1 lbs. The median gain was 1 lb. over the 14-day period. Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.286 to 0.286 lbs. per day for an average of 0.038 ±0.15 lbs. (17 ± 68 g) per day. The median ADG was 0.071.
Only two goats gained 4 pounds (0.286 lbs/d) during this period: a Kiko x Spanish buck consigned by Waldo Nelson (MD) and a purebred Kiko consigned by Jill Zink (IN). They were the top gainers.
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| Pasture quantity and quality are good. |
Barnes buck is top gainer
For the 28-day duration of the test, gain ranged from to -0.071 to 0.482 lbs. per day for an average of 0.183 ±0.11 lbs. (83 ±50 g) per day. The median 28-d ADG is 0.196. Only two goats have failed to gain weight during the early part of the test.
So far, the top-gaining buck is #5, a Kiko, consigned by Kendall and Dana Barnes (KY). It is gaining almost a half pound per day. The second highest gaining buck is a Kiko consigned by Jill Zink. It is gaining 0.339 lbs. per day. Zink is a new consigner.
FAMACHA© scores improve
FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.69 ±0.7, compared to 1.92 two weeks ago. The median FAMACHA© score was 2. Only one goat required deworming. It was dewormed with oral moxidectin (Cydectin®) at 2x the sheep dose.
Body condition and coat condition scores averaged 2.44 ±0.26 and 2.00 ±0.14, respectively, and were slightly lower than two weeks ago. Only one goat had a positive dag score (3), though a few had loose stools.
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| Goats waiting to be worked. |
Low worm egg counts
For the fecal samples collected on June 28, fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 1,525 epg and averaged 237 ±401 epg. The median FEC was 59 epg. The 6/28 egg counts were slightly above June 14 counts, but still very low and not indicative of a current or pending worm problem. Due to test protocol, egg counts don't usually rise until towards the end of the test.
The pooled fecal sample collected on June 28 is still "incubating" (in Delaware). The eggs must hatch and develop into third stage larvae before the species of strongyle-type worms can be identified (from the larvae). Since the 6/28 egg count was so low, it's possible that there won't be enough eggs for identification purposes. This has happened in the past, after the initial dewormings.
The goats were worked today by Jeff Semler, Erin Canfield, Mary Beth Bennett, Susan Schoenian, and Pam Thomas. Jeff weighed the goats. Susan scored the goats. Data were recorded by Pam Thomas and a student volunteer. The goats will be worked next on Thursday, July 26.
If you have any questions about the data being reported, please feel free to contact Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 x343.
Download July 12 (d-28) report
