Effects of Boer Crossbreeding and Base Kiko and Spanish Influences on Meat Goat Doe Performance in the Southeastern United States

Abstract Text: Straightbred Kiko and Spanish does and  reciprocal crossbred F₁ Boer x Kiko and Boer x Spanish does (n = 197 does; n = 291 doe-year records) were mated to assess doe performance at weaning when semi-intensively managed together on humid, subtropical pasture. Does were mated each fall for spring kidding. The evaluation was of a 2x2 factorial arrangement with main comparisons being Boer crossbred vs foundation straghtbred does and Kiko-influenced vs Spanish-influenced does. Boer crossbred does were heavier than straightbred does, but the Boer crossbred does had lower weaning rates, fewer kids weaned per mated doe, and lower hematocrit values. Litter weights were not different between crossbred and straightbred does. Compared to Spanish-influenced does, Kiko-influenced does were heavier, had poorer internal parasite indicator values, and higher reproductive output values.  No maternal fitness or production advantages were observed by using Boer-crossbred does over straightbred foundation does.

Keywords: crossbreeding, fitness, meat goats