Fertility and birth weights of goats in a subtropical environment

Abstract

Records of fertility and birth weights were examined in eight breeds of goat, indigenous to, or imported into, the subtropical environment of Israel. These included the local Syrian Mountain, Negev and Damascus breeds, and the imported Malta, Appenzeller, Saanen, Fawn German and Anglo- Nubian. All breeds of goat, local or imported, kidded at the end of winter and in early spring, and all, save the late-maturing Damascus and part of the Anglo- Nubian, kidded for the first time at the age of 1 year. In imported breeds of goat which acclimatized well in the subtropical environment fertility was not impaired.