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The following seven developmental stages are
being suggested to help build a better goat. Currently,
attempts are being made to identify the developmental
ingredients of certain stages in a goats growth
pattern.
However, when maximum genetic potential is sought,
always remember that genetic potential can only be reached
when excellent management and excellent nutrition are
combined. Premium specimens are designed prior to birth and
refined after birth into the elite of the caprine
world-champion stock.
Ultimately the successful goat is related to
the success of it's dam. The doe is the living factory where
a finely tuned assembly line manufactures kids. If there are
shortages of one or several raw materials or nutrients
during the assembling process, weaknesses in the finished
product occur, and genetic potential is not reached.
One could equate the doe with an escrow
account for building a new house and its offspring with the
actual finished project. Adequate initial deposits into the
escrow account allows for more quality in the finished
project. But try to make significant withdrawals without
first making adequate deposits, and a zero balance occurs
before the project is completed.
STAGE ONE - GESTATION
Several developmental tasks must be
accomplished during this stage. Each animal has the genetic
potential to develop a certain number of muscle fibers while
en utero. After birth, the best that can be done is to grow
those numbers to a greater size. Muscular hyperplasia is the
process of encouraging the development of the maximum number
of muscle fibers possible while the kid is still a fetus.
Most muscle growth after birth is due to an increase in
muscle cell size rather than an increase in muscle cell
numbers. Small cells, called satellite cells, that lie next
to muscle fibers possess the ability to fuse with mature
skeletal muscle cells, helping to increase the muscle fiber
size. Under conditions that allow this process to take
place, muscle growth can progress to a higher degree. When
very specific, targeted nutrition is available to the doe
and the developing kids, the maximum numbers of muscle
fibers developed in utero is reached.
Proper prenatal growth will help set one
producer's goats apart from those in other herds.
Malnutrition of the doe during gestation, especially during
the last trimester can manifest itself as floppy kid
syndrome or a host of other problems. All caprine producers
must realize that many of the commercial feeds available
might be inferior and will lead to a lifetime of problems
associated with developmental disorders. Inferior inputs
results in inferior outputs.
The key to proper kid development is
maintaining a consistent and steady rate of growth. While
hereditary dictates maximum growth and development of the
kid, nutrition governs the rate of normal growth and the
extent to which development is attained. Optimal nutrition
allows for maximum growth performance. A balanced diet
consisting of water, protein, energy, minerals and vitamins
is necessary for kids to attain their maximum inherent
growth and development.
Developmental strengths and problems in the
skeletal and integumentary system begin in utero with
vitamin and mineral deficiencies or vitamin and mineral
excess. Because the whole developmental process is so
extremely complex, to pick out one , two or five nutrients
that are most important in the process would not do justice
to all the requirements, Balance and bioavailability is
really the key.
During the gestation process, the cleansing
system of the doe are encountering the greatest challenge.
The respiratory, renal and hepatic systems must function at
peat efficiency to meet the ever increasing demands to
remove metabolic toxins from the doe's body, thus providing
a non-hostile environment for the developing kids. The renal
and hepatic functions are enhanced when the diet is adequate
in balanced vitamin/trace mineral levels and foodstuffs
presented are free of mycotoxins or agricultural chemicals.
These systems are extremely complex and for optimum
efficiency, correct balance and bioavailability is
indispensable. The respiratory system meets increased
challenge when the environment has elevated levels of
ammonia and noxious gas levels that results from less than
careful manure management.
Through monitoring the gestation ration, its
nutrient components and anionic/cationic ration, the attempt
is made to prevent hypocalcimia (milk fever). With the first
signs of mild fever, it is important to supplement with a
high quality calcium supplement.
STAGE TWO - BIRTH
At stage two, birth, we concern ourselves with
strong uterine contractions to facilitate the birthing
process. Signs of calcium deficiency include delayed uterine
involution, small corpora letea, cystic ovaries and retained
placenta. Phosphorus deficiency has been linked to weak or
stillborn kids, delayed onset of puberty and depressed
fertility. Iodine excess has been known to cause abortion,
or kids born with limb deformities. Selenium deficiency can
lead to retained placenta, abortion, stillborn or dead
newborns. Evidence show iodine deficiency lead to embryonic
mortality, birth of hairless or weak kids. Animals with zinc
deficiencies show sighs of cystic ovaries, and abnormal
estus.
Kids are born without any humoral immunity,
therefore they must receive their first protection via the
dam's colostrum. Consequently, it is important to have
adequately nourished the doe with additional zinc, selenium,
copper and iron, since these mineral are particularly
involved in immune development.
At birth our concern would then naturally be
the quality and quantity of the colostrum and the kid's
ability to ingest it as soon as possible. Particularly when
does are first fresheners, their ability to supply a good
quality and quantity of colostrum may be less than adequate.
Also, because of the potential for CAE, many producers
choose to heat treat colostrum. During the heat treatment
process it is possible to alter the integrity and
availability of immunoglobulins and non-specific proteins.
For those reasons, producers are counseled to consider
supplemention of the dam's colostrum with a proven,
high quality colostrum supplement.
Not only are kids born immunity free, but like
most other mammals, they are also born with a sterile
digestive tract. This affords an opportunity for pathogens
to easily be introduced along with beneficial micro flora.
The goal at this stage is to quickly populate the gut with a
variety of beneficial microbes, thereby decreasing the
opportunity for pathogens. Supplementing the dam's colostrum
with live cultures of Lactobacillus bulgaricus,
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium,
Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus formuntum and
Lactobacillus plantarum has proven helpful.
An often neglected aspect of metabolic function
is body temperature. When the body temperature drops below
optimum levels, metabolic functions , microflora gut
populations and survival behaviors also decrease. When
situations present themselves that decrease energy or
substantially increase energy demand, additional nutritional
support is needed. A special formula utilizing omega-3 fatty
acids, because of their concentrated energy and ease of
digestion, fortified with a balance of vitamins and miners
will give the boost needed at those times. Magnesium,
phosphorus and manganese are also highly effective in energy
production.
STAGE THREE - NURSING
During stage three, nursing, one of the most
widespread problems encountered is the inability of kids to
tolerate milk replacer. Goat's milk has some very unique
characteristics and the kid's enzyme system is uniquely
designed to digest this special milk. When goatís
milk is not fed, problems with digestion of proteins, fats
and carbohydrates are possible and probable. donít be
fooled simply because a company has labeled a milk replacer
as kid milk replacer. There is currently only one milk
replacer on the market specifically formulated to closely
resemble the goat milk profile and provide the additional
digestive enzymes necessary. If traditional milk replacers
are used, special enzymes are required to minimize the
digestive upset. It is also worthwhile to remember that when
a kid is receiving natural goat's milk for the dam, it is
also continuing to receive immunoglobulins that provide
passive immunity. When a substitute for this valuable food
is used, passive immunity is absent. It is important to
provide additional support both for passive immunity from a
colostrum source and to provide the additional nutritional
support to lay a strong foundation for the active immunity
system to develop. Copper and iron are especially involved
the production of blood components.
A kid's immature respiratory system is
particularly susceptible to assaults from high ammonia
level. Decreasing ammonia rates increases respiratory
function. This can be accomplished by alterations of manure
management and products that decrease ammonia levels.
STAGE FOUR - WEANING
The developmental goals during stage four,
weaning, are to successfully alter gut microflora from
digestion of milk to plant derived protein, fat and
carbohydrates. Since microflora are specific in their task ,
milk digesting microbes will need to decrease while plant
digesting microbes increase. While this shift is
taking place, pathogens need to be held in check by
introducing large numbers of beneficial microbes plus acid
producing microbes.
Since amino acids are the building blocks of
protein, correct forms, in proper ratio and in a palatable
pellet, must be presented for protein metabolism. Additional
flavorings may be helpful, but caution should be used with
the excessive use of molasses.
STAGE FIVE - GROWTH
The growth stage, draws attention to the rate
of physiological development along with proper muscle to fat
ration and maximizing the rate of gain. Macro and micro
nutrients must be in proper balance to reach maximum genetic
potential for meat production. Rations balanced by caprine
professionals are key in this stage. For example, ration
deficient in manganese can lead to unbalanced growth that
causes contracted tendons.
Male goats are particularly susceptible to
urinary calculi (water belly), therefore, it is common
practice to acidify feed with ammoniated salts. Field
experience indicates there is strong evidence to suggest
that ammoniated salts, when fed to preruminates, have a
blunting effect on the papiliae of the rumen. When the
papiliae are blunted, digestive absorption of nutrients is
decreased. Usually this is an irreversible condition.
Acidification can be accomplished using special organic
acidifiers that have no adverse affects on rumen
papiliae.
STAGE SIX - ADULT FINISHER
Stage six, the adult finisher, encompasses the
market goat and show stock. the goal with market animals is
to maximize muscle development and daily rate of gain.
By increasing nutrient assimilation through direct fed
microbial this goal is achieved. Show stock has the added
demand of an excellent hair coat and 'bloom'. Skin and hair
have high zinc demands. If zinc is in short supply, skin and
hair have a lower priority and rough, dry coats result. Zinc
increase hair luster and skin condition.
Another additional challenge commonly presented
at this stage is shipping and travel. It is well recognized
that shipping and travel puts additional pressure on the
health and well-being of the animal. Microbial populations
and pH levels shift and the goatís body demands
certain vitamin levels. Field experience indicates that
direct fed microbials and B vitamins help the animal with
shipping stress.
STAGE SEVEN - ADULT BREEDER
The goat in stage seven, adult breeder, has
specific needs associated with reproduction. When wanting to
nourish reproductive tissue and to ensure response,
additional level of bioavailable zinc, copper, manganese and
cobalt are needed. Also proper levels of phosphorus,
magnesium and potassium are important. Calcium can cause
decreased breeding efficiency and testicular degeneration.
Phosphorus deficiency increases the tendency toward
decreased breeding efficiency, testicular degeneration,
decreased ovarian activity, small corpora lutea. anestrus.
delayed on set of puberty and depressed fertility. Delayed
onset of puberty and anestrus can be signs of molybdenum
excess white depressed libido in bucks can be rooted in
iodine deficiency. Cystic ovaries, abnormal estrus, delayed
testicular development, small testicles and testicular
atrophy have all been linked to zinc deficiencies.
SUMMARY
An animal is such a dynamic system with
nutritional components so interrelated that it is difficult
to isolate those that contribute to a certain system or
perform a certain task. While it is worthwhile to understand
the interactions and nuances of goat nutrients, it is most
important to consistently feed correctly balanced, highly
bioavailable nutrition. don't be fooled into believing that
a blend of grain coupled with a beef, sheep, or swine
vitamin/mineral mixture will adequately meet the needs of
the goat. There are no substitutes for excellent
genetics, nutrition and management. A weakness in any of
these three vital areas will give less than desirable
result.
Of the three, nutritional information for and
professional attention to the goat industry has been
conspicuous by its absence. Producers will need to educate
themselves to the point they are able to dissect a feed tag
and determine the nutritional value of nutritional
supplements.
Excellent goat products do exist. It will be up to
the producer to be able to recognize them.
TRI-QUEST note:
Stop Ammonia build up see:Pit
& Pen
Colostrum Replacer see:Imuno-G
and Rebound
Milk Replacer see:Kid
Replacer
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