Breeding season and aspects of reproduction of female goats

Reproductive data were collected on 608 female goats and their 1,147 offspring, involving 20 herds, from different geographical locations in Georgia for 3 yr. Results for seven breeds and a dairy crossbred revealed 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). Gestation period ( ± SE) was 150.6 ± 2.64 d. Pygmies had the shortest gestation period, whereas Toggenburgs had the longest. Gestation period decreased 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. Litter size was 1.85 ± .67, with twins being the most prevalent litter size. Litter size varied among breeds. The litter size increased with mating weight of the doe for most breeds (litter size increased approximately .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 Toggenburgs were heaviest (3.9 kg). Males were heavier than female kids. Birth weight decreased with the size of litter (approximately .45 kg/kid, P < .001).