Effect of Stocking Rate on Forage Availability and Growth Performance of Goat Kids in Mediterranean Kermes Oak Shrublands

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of stocking rate on forage availability (vegetation cover (VC) and forage mass (FM)) and the growth performance of pure hair goat kids (Capra hircus L.) in Mediterranean Kermes oak shrublands. Two villages that had the same ecological conditions but where the presence of pure hair goats did or did not exceed the grazing capacity were selected specifically within this scope. The birth weight (BW) and the daily live weight gain at 90 days (DLWG at 90 days) of pure hair goat kids in these villages were identified and compared in order to monitor their growth. As a result, there is a very strong positive correlation between the growth performance of goat kids, and VC and FM in these villages (P<0.01). Results indicated that high stocking rate effect forage availability and this situation cause decrease in the growth performance of goat kids. It was concluded that forage availability and stocking rate in grazing plans are points to consider providing sustainable goat farming.