Birth, and neonatal behaviour and their effects on growth of Turkish Saanen kids


KONYALI A., TÖLÜ C., DAS G., Savas T.

ZUCHTUNGSKUNDE, vol.78, no.3, pp.230-240, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 78 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Journal Name: ZUCHTUNGSKUNDE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.230-240
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In order to decrease young animal losses, better observation as well as more knowledge about birth and neonatal mother-kid-behaviour are needed. In this study, the distribution of births during day time, duration of birth, duration of birth-to-standing, duration of birth-to-suckling and the effect of birth and several kids behavioural parameters on growth of kids were investigated. This study was carried out with 99 Turkish Saanen goats and their 147 kids. Average gestation period was 152.4 +/- 2.63 days. Only 8.5% of the observed births occurred at night. 62% of the observed goats were given birth on the lateral recumbence and 38% on standing recumbence, respectively. However, no effects of sex of kid and age of doe on duration of birth (GD) were observed (P > 0.05). The range of birth and birth weight affected the trait GD (P <= 0.05). The sex of kid had a significant effect on "duration of birth-to-standing" (GAS) (P=0.035). On the other hand, birth weight had no effect on GAS (P=0.029). Significant effect of birth weight and year were found on duration of birth-to-suckling (GS) (P < 0.05). No significant effect of the range of birth on neonatal behavioural traits was observed. Duration of second twin (3.8 min) was shorter than the birth of single kid (16.9min) or the birth of first twin kids (14.7min) (P=0.001).