Abstract:
In Neuqu ́en Criollo goat production systems, the sale of goat kids for slaughter is the main source of income.
Marketing kids weighing at least 14 kg live weight before 90 days of age improves economic returns due to better
meat quality, while also reducing doe lactation requirements and subsequent pressure on grazing land. The
present study aimed to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) in does from the Neuqu ́en Criollo breed
during the last third of gestation and lactation, on subsequent kid survival, birth weight and growth rate. Thus,
two groups of does were penned and fed at two distinct nutritional levels during the last third of gestation and
lactation period: High Condition Score (BCS3) and Medium Condition Score (BCS2), to maintain a BCS of 3 and
2, respectively. Kids remained with their dams without nutritional supplementation from birth to weaning. The
results indicated that BCS of the dam contributed substantially in the kids’ live weight (LW) in different stages: at
birth (BW), at slaughter (50 days of age = 50D) and at weaning, (90 days of age = 90D) and these differences
were maintained during rearing (220 days of age = 220D). The single and twin male goat kids of the BCS3 group
reached slaughter weight (15.16 ± 0.08 and 14.15 ± 0.51 kg, respectively) at 50 days of age (50D), whereas
male kids from the BCS2 group did not reach slaughter weight in an equivalent timeframe. Furthermore, the
single and twin female goat kids born from BCS3 group between 50 and 90 days of age doubled in weight
compared to those born from the BCS2 group. Consequently, single and twin female kids born from BCS3 group
only reached 17.52 ± 0.12 kg and 15.52 ± 0.43 L W, respectively, in the first breeding season (220D). Results
highlight the need for supplementation management strategies to increase does’ BCS during gestation and
lactation; in order to improve kids’ BW, reduce kid mortality and to ensure target slaughter weights are achieved
before 2 months of age. Developing early supplementation strategies in the last stage of lactation before weaning
and in the rearing period post-weaning may increase survival and anticipate the reproductive age of female kids
