Bodyweight and Growth of Goats

Bodyweight is one of the most significant and important parameters for the management of livestock:
• It is a direct indicator for the condition of the goat;
• It reflects the nutritional condition of the goat;
• Most health issues affect the body weight of a goat;
• Almost all medications require the actual body size of the goat for correct dosage;
• In a meat goat operation, a high growth rate is of prior economic importance. 

 

 

 

• The average body weight of meat goats was 66.5 kg (ranging from 51-86 kg), the average body weight of dairy goats was 90.6 kg (69-112 kg).

• Adult bucks weigh around 100 kg on average, compared to around 66 kg for does.

• The body weight of adult goats varies substantially over time due to pregnancy, lactation, and season.

• Male kids are heavier at birth than female kids. They also grow faster.

• Kids from dairy mothers are heavier than kids from meat mothers and grow faster.