Day 14 data was collected on July 23. The goats were weighed. FAMACHA©, body condition, coat condition, dag, and fecal scores were determined. Individual fecal samples were collected from each goat. Fecal samples could not be obtained from two goats.
For the first two weeks of the test, gain ranged from -3.4 to 7.4 lbs. and averaged 2.9 + 2.2 lbs. The median gain was 3.2 lbs. Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.25 to 0.55 lbs. per day and averaged 0.22 + 0.16 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.23 lbs. per day. Only 8 goats failed to gain weight during the first 14 days of the test. Only one goat is below its initial weight (and only by 0.8 lbs.).
For the first two weeks of the test, the two top-gaining bucks were consigned by Waldo Nelson (MD) and John Smith (Virginia). The top-gaining consignments were from Mike Whelan (Kentucky), P.J. Murphy (New Jersey), and Patricia Larr (Indiana). Their consignments gained an average of 0.35, 0.33, and 0.31 lbs. per day, respectively during the first 14 days of the test.
There was a slight improvement in FAMACHA© scores. They ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.95 + 0.56. The median FAMACHA© score was 2.0. Only one goat required deworming, as determined by the FAMACHA© system and Five Point Check©.
Body condition scores (1-5) remained relatively unchanged, ranging from 2 to 3 and averaging 2.36 + 0.27. No goat had a body condition score below 2. Coat condition scores (1-3) remained relatively unchanged, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 and averaging 2.02 + 0.13.
Both dag scores (0-5) and fecal consistency scores (1-4) changed, as many goats had soft feces (most likely the result of the high moisture content of the forage). Dag scores ranged from 0 to 3 and averaged 0.29 + 0.65 (0=no fecal soiling on hindquarters and hocks). Fecal consistency scores ranged from 2 to 4 and averaged 3.13 + 0.90 (4=pellets, 1=diarrhea).
For the past several days, the goats have been grazing a 1-acre paddock of orchardgrass. This paddock was opened after the goats grazed down their first paddock (1 acre) of millet and hemp. After handling today, the goats were given access to a clean 2-acre paddock of dwarf pearl millet, sunn hemp, and various weeds.
The goats are currently consuming 0.75 lbs. of soybean pellets per head per day. They are fed once per day in the morning. Besides providing energy to their diet, the hand feeding of pellets makes it easier to monitor the health and behavior of the goats.
Download July 23 (day 14) report
For the first two weeks of the test, gain ranged from -3.4 to 7.4 lbs. and averaged 2.9 + 2.2 lbs. The median gain was 3.2 lbs. Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.25 to 0.55 lbs. per day and averaged 0.22 + 0.16 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.23 lbs. per day. Only 8 goats failed to gain weight during the first 14 days of the test. Only one goat is below its initial weight (and only by 0.8 lbs.).
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| Grazing a fresh paddock of millet, hemp, and weeds. |
For the first two weeks of the test, the two top-gaining bucks were consigned by Waldo Nelson (MD) and John Smith (Virginia). The top-gaining consignments were from Mike Whelan (Kentucky), P.J. Murphy (New Jersey), and Patricia Larr (Indiana). Their consignments gained an average of 0.35, 0.33, and 0.31 lbs. per day, respectively during the first 14 days of the test.
There was a slight improvement in FAMACHA© scores. They ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.95 + 0.56. The median FAMACHA© score was 2.0. Only one goat required deworming, as determined by the FAMACHA© system and Five Point Check©.
Body condition scores (1-5) remained relatively unchanged, ranging from 2 to 3 and averaging 2.36 + 0.27. No goat had a body condition score below 2. Coat condition scores (1-3) remained relatively unchanged, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 and averaging 2.02 + 0.13.
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| Goats consuming soy hull pellets, 0.75 lbs/day |
Both dag scores (0-5) and fecal consistency scores (1-4) changed, as many goats had soft feces (most likely the result of the high moisture content of the forage). Dag scores ranged from 0 to 3 and averaged 0.29 + 0.65 (0=no fecal soiling on hindquarters and hocks). Fecal consistency scores ranged from 2 to 4 and averaged 3.13 + 0.90 (4=pellets, 1=diarrhea).
For the past several days, the goats have been grazing a 1-acre paddock of orchardgrass. This paddock was opened after the goats grazed down their first paddock (1 acre) of millet and hemp. After handling today, the goats were given access to a clean 2-acre paddock of dwarf pearl millet, sunn hemp, and various weeds.
The goats are currently consuming 0.75 lbs. of soybean pellets per head per day. They are fed once per day in the morning. Besides providing energy to their diet, the hand feeding of pellets makes it easier to monitor the health and behavior of the goats.
Download July 23 (day 14) report
