For the first 14 days of the test, gains were moderate. Gain ranged from -3.9 to 6.8 lbs. and averaged 2.1 ± 2.2 lbs. The large standard deviation indicates that there was a wide variation in gain. The median gain was 2.3 lbs.
Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.279 to 0.486 lbs. per day and averaged 0.149 ± 0.155 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.161 lbs. per day. For the first 14 days of the test, the top gaining buck was #639 (Loos, IL). Other goats that gained 6 lbs. or more included #618 (Dennison, KY), #650 (Murphy, NJ), #689 (Whelan, KY), and #698 (Yutzy, OH).
FAMACHA© scores increased slightly. They ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.84 ± 0.7. Nine goats were dewormed (with levamisole concentrated drench @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). One had a FAMACHA© score of 4. The others had FAMACHA© scores of 3, but lost weight during the first two weeks of the test.
The new deworming protocol is to deworm goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 that lose weight (> 0.1 lbs). The new protocol will result in more goats being dewormed and (hopefully) a reduction in sub-clinical parasitism. Some of the goats that were dewormed also had increasing and high fecal egg counts on July 7. The sequential dosing was not effective among many goats and several consignments.
Body condition and coat condition scores remained relatively unchanged. Body condition scores ranged from 2 to 3 and averaged 2.24 ± 0.25. The median BCS was 2.3. Coat condition scores ranged from 2 to 2.5 and averaged 2.05 ± 0.15. The median coat condition score was 2. Only a couple of goats had positive dag scores. The median dag score was 0 (no fecal soiling). Compared to two weeks ago, feces were softer. Fecal consistency scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 1.39 ± 0.59. The median fecal consistency score was 1.38 (1=pellets, 4=liquid).
All the goats were weighed, then run through the handling system a second time for scoring and collection of fecal samples. Fecal samples could not be obtained from four goats. Two attempts are made to obtain a fecal sample from a goat. A pooled fecal sample will be collected in two weeks. It will be submitted to the University of Georgia for a DrenchRite® test.
While rainfall has been minimal in recent weeks, forage conditions are good. There is plenty of forage and plenty of good quality forage. The goats are currently grazing a 2-acre paddock of warm season annuals (BMR pearl millet + Sunn hemp + cowpeas). The paddock that was grazed a few weeks ago is regrowing nicely. The goats also have access to the silvopasture, which offers natural shading. The weather is expected to be very hot over the next few days.
The goats are currently consuming about 0.6 lb. of barley per head per day. In the coming week, the supplementation will be increased to 0.75 lb. per head per day. Free choice minerals are also available, via three mineral feeders in the central laneway. The goats will be worked next on Wednesday, August 3, a day earlier due to a scheduling conflict.
Download July 21 (d 14) report
Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.279 to 0.486 lbs. per day and averaged 0.149 ± 0.155 lbs. per day. The median ADG was 0.161 lbs. per day. For the first 14 days of the test, the top gaining buck was #639 (Loos, IL). Other goats that gained 6 lbs. or more included #618 (Dennison, KY), #650 (Murphy, NJ), #689 (Whelan, KY), and #698 (Yutzy, OH).
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| Three white billies |
FAMACHA© scores increased slightly. They ranged from 1 to 4 and averaged 1.84 ± 0.7. Nine goats were dewormed (with levamisole concentrated drench @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). One had a FAMACHA© score of 4. The others had FAMACHA© scores of 3, but lost weight during the first two weeks of the test.
The new deworming protocol is to deworm goats with FAMACHA© scores of 3 that lose weight (> 0.1 lbs). The new protocol will result in more goats being dewormed and (hopefully) a reduction in sub-clinical parasitism. Some of the goats that were dewormed also had increasing and high fecal egg counts on July 7. The sequential dosing was not effective among many goats and several consignments.
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| A buck from last year's top consigner (David Peters, NC) |
Body condition and coat condition scores remained relatively unchanged. Body condition scores ranged from 2 to 3 and averaged 2.24 ± 0.25. The median BCS was 2.3. Coat condition scores ranged from 2 to 2.5 and averaged 2.05 ± 0.15. The median coat condition score was 2. Only a couple of goats had positive dag scores. The median dag score was 0 (no fecal soiling). Compared to two weeks ago, feces were softer. Fecal consistency scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 1.39 ± 0.59. The median fecal consistency score was 1.38 (1=pellets, 4=liquid).
All the goats were weighed, then run through the handling system a second time for scoring and collection of fecal samples. Fecal samples could not be obtained from four goats. Two attempts are made to obtain a fecal sample from a goat. A pooled fecal sample will be collected in two weeks. It will be submitted to the University of Georgia for a DrenchRite® test.
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| Chowing down on barley |
While rainfall has been minimal in recent weeks, forage conditions are good. There is plenty of forage and plenty of good quality forage. The goats are currently grazing a 2-acre paddock of warm season annuals (BMR pearl millet + Sunn hemp + cowpeas). The paddock that was grazed a few weeks ago is regrowing nicely. The goats also have access to the silvopasture, which offers natural shading. The weather is expected to be very hot over the next few days.
The goats are currently consuming about 0.6 lb. of barley per head per day. In the coming week, the supplementation will be increased to 0.75 lb. per head per day. Free choice minerals are also available, via three mineral feeders in the central laneway. The goats will be worked next on Wednesday, August 3, a day earlier due to a scheduling conflict.
Download July 21 (d 14) report
