Performance of Boer-Spanish and Spanish Does in Texas : Kid Production and Doe Stayability 1

Data from 271 Boer-Spanish and Spanish does and their 1,936 kids obtained between 1995 and 2004 in the Edwards Plateau region of West Texas were examined to compare BoerSpanish and Spanish does for kid production and stayability. The does were progeny of 24 sires, and their kids were progeny of 39 sires. Goats were maintained on native pastures for most of the year and were managed in an annual kidding system. Kids from Spanish and Boer-Spanish does had similar birth weights (3.19 kg ± 0.05 kg), 90-d weaning weights (16.9 kg ± 0.8 kg), and preweaning ADG (151 g ± 3 g). There were no significant differences between Boer-Spanish and Spanish does for litter weight at birth (5.59 kg ± 0.13 kg vs. 5.36 kg ± 0.14 kg, P = 0.12) or at weaning (23.33 kg ± 0.81 kg vs. 23.86 ± 0.91 kg, P = 0.57). Kid birth weight, weaning weight, and preweaning ADG generally increased with age of dam. Litter weight at birth and at weaning increased (P < 0.05)with age of dam. Stayability of Boer-Spanish does tended to be greater than that of Spanish does at 6 years of age (65 percent ± 4 percent vs. 54 percent ± 5 percent P = 0.07) and similar at all other ages (P > 0.2). No significant breed differences were observed for doe reproduction and kid growth through weaning from Spanish and Boer-Spanish goats in Texas.