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E. G. Hayes, R. V. Lourençon, P. Khanal, R. Browning, 034 Effect of Creep Feeding on Meat Goat Kid Traits at Weaning, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 95, Issue suppl_1, December 2016, Pages 16–17, https://doi.org/10.2527/ssasas2017.034
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Abstract
The purpose of this three year study was to observe the effects of creep feeding on the growth, survivability, conformation score, market value and FAMACHA scores for 509 spring born kids. Straightbred Savanna (n = 10), Kiko (n = 8), Spanish (n = 8) and Myotonic (n = 3) bucks were bred to straightbred and crossbred does (n = 168). At 30 d, kids were split into two contemporary groups (creep and non-creep). Their 30-d and 90-d (weaning) weights were recorded and the ADG was calculated from 30 d to 90 d. Conformation scores were assigned by USDA graders, and market values were calculated using local market prices around the date of weaning. FAMACHA was recorded at weaning. The effects of treatment, sire breed, doe breed, doe age, kid sex, and litter size were analyzed as sources of variation. Sire breed, doe breed, doe age, litter size, and kid sex affected (P < 0.05) 30-d weights. Creep and non-creep fed kids had similar (P > 0.05) 30-d weights. Doe breed, doe age, litter size and kid sex affected (P < 0.05) weaning weight and ADG. The creep fed kids were heavier (P < 0.05) at weaning (16.11 ± 0.6 vs. 15.28 ± 0.6 kg) and had higher ADG (0.13 ± 0.01 vs. 0.12 ± 0.01 kg) when compared with the non-creep kids. Sire breed, treatment × sire breed, doe breed, and treatment × doe breed had an effect (P < 0.05) on kid survival rate from birth to weaning. Creep feed did not affect (P > 0.05) kid survival rate. Sire breed, litter size and kid sex affected (P < 0.05) conformation score. Creep feed did not affect (P > 0.05) conformation score. Doe breed, doe age, litter size, and kid sex affected (P < 0.05) the market value. Creep kids had higher values (P < 0.05) than non-creep kids at market ($58.12 ± 2.35 vs. $54.92 ± 2.31). The weighted average cost of creep feed per kid was $2.00. Sire breed, litter size, and treatment × litter size affected (P < 0.05) the FAMACHA score. FAMACHA scores of creep fed kids were lower (better; P < 0.05) than non-creep kids (1.16 ± 0.08 vs. 1.24 ± 0.08). Creep feeding was shown to be beneficial for kid performance under the prevailing study conditions.
