For the second weigh period (June 19 - July 3), gains were mixed. Gain ranged from -6.2 to 5.6 lbs. and averaged 0.7 lbs. ± 2.3 lbs. The median gain was 1.2 lbs. Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.443 to 0.400 lbs. per day and averaged 0.053 ± 0.166 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.086 lbs. per day.
For the period, the top-gaining buck was #403, a Purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams (IL). Other top-gainers were #'s 417, 436, and 442, consigned by Fred Brown (NC), Patricia Larr (IN), and Jodie Majancsik (KY), respectively. Each of these bucks gained 0.30 lbs. per day or more.
Sixty-six percent (n=51) of the goats gained weight during the last two weeks. All of the goats in the consignments from Barrack (VA), Larr (IN), Murphy (NJ), Patrick (GA), and Renick (WV) gained weight during the second weigh period.
For the first 28 days of the test, ADG ranged from -0.271 to 0.300 lbs. per day and averaged 0.037 lbs. per day. The median gain was 0.043 lbs. per day. The top-gaining buck was #446, a Purebred Kiko consigned by P.J. Murphy (NJ). The second highest-gaining buck was #479, a Purebred Kiko consigned by Jill Zink (IN). It gained 0.286 lbs. per day.
Seventy percent (n=54) of the goats have gained weight during the first 28 days of the test. All the goats in the consignments from Glover (MD), Larr, Majancsik, Murphy, Patrick, and Renick have gained weight during the first 28 days of the test.
Worsening FAMACHA© scores
FAMACHA© scores increased substantially, more than a half score. FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 2.3 ± 0.8, compared to 1.7 ± 0.6 on June 19. Eight goats were dewormed with levamisole (Prohibit® @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). Two goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed because they exhibited one or more additional risk factors, e.g. weight loss, poor body condition, scours, etc.
Scours
Body condition scores and coat condition scores declined slightly, as a few goats dropped a half condition score. Dag scores increased slightly and fecal consistency decreased slightly, as several goats are either battling scours (fecal consistency score = 1) or getting over them (dag score > 0).
Coccidia oocytes were noted in only one fecal sample from June 19; thus, the likely cause of scours is diet and/or stress, in which case the condition should be self-limiting. However, scours can be an added stress if the goat is compromised in any other way.
New pasture
After working, the goats were moved to a new pasture, approximately 2.5 acres of mostly cool season grasses, situated among walnut and hardwood trees. It is a more "goat friendly" pasture, with a greater variety of vegetation and plenty of natural shelter (shade). It is also a "clean" pasture, as the sheep were not grazed there this spring.
In two weeks, all of the goats will be given a 0.5 g bolus of copper oxide wire particles. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) have been shown to be effective at reducing barber pole worm burdens in goats and sheep. Copper also plays an important role in immunity. The "growth" phase of the test will begin in two weeks.
Download July 3 (d-28) Report --updated 7/8/14--
For the period, the top-gaining buck was #403, a Purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams (IL). Other top-gainers were #'s 417, 436, and 442, consigned by Fred Brown (NC), Patricia Larr (IN), and Jodie Majancsik (KY), respectively. Each of these bucks gained 0.30 lbs. per day or more.
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| Top-gaining buck, July 3, Adams (IL) |
Sixty-six percent (n=51) of the goats gained weight during the last two weeks. All of the goats in the consignments from Barrack (VA), Larr (IN), Murphy (NJ), Patrick (GA), and Renick (WV) gained weight during the second weigh period.
For the first 28 days of the test, ADG ranged from -0.271 to 0.300 lbs. per day and averaged 0.037 lbs. per day. The median gain was 0.043 lbs. per day. The top-gaining buck was #446, a Purebred Kiko consigned by P.J. Murphy (NJ). The second highest-gaining buck was #479, a Purebred Kiko consigned by Jill Zink (IN). It gained 0.286 lbs. per day.
Seventy percent (n=54) of the goats have gained weight during the first 28 days of the test. All the goats in the consignments from Glover (MD), Larr, Majancsik, Murphy, Patrick, and Renick have gained weight during the first 28 days of the test.
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| Top-gaining buck, d-28, Murphy (NJ) |
Worsening FAMACHA© scores
FAMACHA© scores increased substantially, more than a half score. FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 2.3 ± 0.8, compared to 1.7 ± 0.6 on June 19. Eight goats were dewormed with levamisole (Prohibit® @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). Two goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 were dewormed because they exhibited one or more additional risk factors, e.g. weight loss, poor body condition, scours, etc.
Scours
Body condition scores and coat condition scores declined slightly, as a few goats dropped a half condition score. Dag scores increased slightly and fecal consistency decreased slightly, as several goats are either battling scours (fecal consistency score = 1) or getting over them (dag score > 0).
Coccidia oocytes were noted in only one fecal sample from June 19; thus, the likely cause of scours is diet and/or stress, in which case the condition should be self-limiting. However, scours can be an added stress if the goat is compromised in any other way.
 |
| "Goat-friendly" pasture |
New pasture
After working, the goats were moved to a new pasture, approximately 2.5 acres of mostly cool season grasses, situated among walnut and hardwood trees. It is a more "goat friendly" pasture, with a greater variety of vegetation and plenty of natural shelter (shade). It is also a "clean" pasture, as the sheep were not grazed there this spring.
In two weeks, all of the goats will be given a 0.5 g bolus of copper oxide wire particles. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) have been shown to be effective at reducing barber pole worm burdens in goats and sheep. Copper also plays an important role in immunity. The "growth" phase of the test will begin in two weeks.
Download July 3 (d-28) Report --updated 7/8/14--
