BREEDING-SEASON AND ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTION OF FEMALE GOATS

Reproductive data were collected on 608 female goats and their 1,147 o ffspring, involving 20 herds, from different geographical locations in Georgia for 3 yr. Results for seven breeds and a dairy crossbred reve aled that most goats bred seasonally, commencing approximately in late June and reaching a peak in September to November. However, the Pygmy had an unusual peak of mating activity during summer (July). Gestatio n period (+/- SE) was 150.6 +/- 2.64 d. Pygmies had the shortest gesta tion period, whereas Toggenburgs had the longest. Gestation period dec reased as the litter of size of the doe increased (b = -.92 d/kid, P < .001) and increased slightly with increasing parity (b = .22 d/parity) . December and January matings had the shortest gestation period. Litt er size was 1.85 +/- .67, with twins being the most prevalent litter s ize. Litter size varied among breeds. The litter size increased with m ating weight of the doe for most breeds (litter size increased approxi mately .02 kids/kg of mating weight). Birth weight was 3.24 +/- .64 kg and varied among breeds; Pygmy kids were lightest (1.7 kg) and Toggen burgs were heaviest (3.9 kg). Males were heavier than female kids. Bir th weight decreased with the size of litter (approximately .45 kg/kid, P <.001).