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Studies aimed to assess up to what extent farming and transport previous to slaughtering might affect physiology and meat quality in young goat kids are needed, with the ultimate purpose of promoting practices that minimize stress in these animals. In this regard the effects of on-farm management and transport duration on some physiological responses and meat quality parameters in goat kids were assessed. Two farms representing ‘high’ and ‘low’ welfare-friendly management practices were selected. In total, 32 suckling kids were withdrawn from each farm, transported by road for 2 or 6 h, and then slaughtered. Blood samples were collected both on-farm and in the slaughterhouse, and biochemistry, cell counts and haematocrit were determined. After slaughtering, carcass quality parameters were measured. Longissimus dorsi muscle was dissected and pH, colour parameters, water holding capacity and shear force were measured throughout 8-day ageing period. Results indicate that, regardless its duration, transport caused significant effects on some blood parameters suggesting stress in live animals, like glucose, cortisol or creatine kinase. Despite the marked stress status in animals, this condition was not decisively reflected on L. dorsi quality parameters, but some effects were observed regarding fat cover in carcasses and colour parameters. The results suggest that postmortem changes throughout ageing were more decisive in terms of meat quality than stressful management either on-farm or during transport.

Background Leucaena leucocephala , as a shrub legume rich in condensed tannins, is a candidate for the integrated control of gastrointestinal parasitic pathogen nematodes. Here, we investigated the anthelmintic potential of the nutraceutical L. leucocephala , transformed into pellets, against Haemonchus contortus . Results Creole goat kids were fed an iso-nitrogenous diet of Dichantium hay with alfalfa pellets or Leucaena pellets or an alfalfa–leucaena mixture in varying ratios. The artificial infection of kids with H. contortus led to infection levels comparable to those observed in the farm environment on the basis of egg excretion. The anthelmintic activity of Leucaena , compared to alfalfa, was demonstrated by its potential to reduce egg excretions (1524 vs. 3651 eggs/g) and the larval development of excreted eggs (3.5 vs. 24%). This anthelmintic potential was reported when the ratio of Leucaena incorporation in the diet was high (50% DM intake). The voluntary dry matter intake (79.3 vs. 77.0 g Large Weigth 0.75 ), the total tract dry matter digestion (0.585 vs. 0.620), and the growth (57.1 vs. 71.3 g/d) of kids fed Leucaena compared to alfalfa indicate that Leucaena has a high feed value. The Leucaena , even at the highest intakes in the diets, has not shown any signs of poisoning in kids. Conclusions Leucaena fulfilled the conditions to be a good nutraceutical, and pelleting is a good method for its use.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of extensive and intensive production systems on the carcass traits and meat quality of northern Moroccan goat kids from Bouhachem Park, Morocco. Materials and Methods: Nine 6-month-old male goat kids were reared extensively on mountain pastures in the Chefchaouen region (Bouhachem Park) before slaughter. Body weights and linear measurements were recorded, and comprehensive analyses were conducted to evaluate the nutritional, technological, and sensory characteristics of their meat. The findings were then compared with data from nine intensively reared male goat kids. Results: Extensively reared goat kids demonstrated significantly superior growth performance and carcass characteristics (p < 0.05). Their meat exhibited lower fat content (2.24 gm/100 gm vs. 5.23 gm/100 gm) and reduced cholesterol levels (28.87 mg/gm vs. 40.07 mg/gm) compared to meat from intensively reared goat kids. Additionally, the fatty acid profile was more favorable, characterized by a lower proportion of saturated fatty acids (45.77% vs. 47.48%), a higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content (16.85% vs. 8.72%), and an increased percentage of desirable fatty acids (72.84% vs. 70.52%). The semimembranosus muscle from extensively reared kids had significantly lower pH values (5.88 vs. 6.00). However, both outdoor- and indoor-raised kids showed acceptable meat color redness and shear force values. Sensory panel evaluations indicated a clear preference for extensively reared goat meat in terms of color, flavor, herbaceous aroma, and overall acceptability. Conclusion: Goat kids from Bouhachem Park pastures demonstrated promising results in growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality. Their meat represents a valuable dietary option, offering high nutritional value and a superior sensory profile.

Objective: Melilotus officinalis is a plant that grows naturally in northwestern Morocco and could become a promising alternative. The study was carried out to investigate the effects of M. officinalis hay on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of goat kids in northern Morocco compared to Medicago sativa. Materials and Methods: Eighteen 3-month-old male “Beni Arouss” goat kids have been divided similarly into two groups. The control group (Luc) received lucerne hay, and the test group (YSClov) received yellow sweetclover hay, both supplemented with concentrate. Average daily gain and dry matter intake were determined during the experiment. After 99 days, goat kids were weighed, and carcass characteristics were determined. Meat quality was evaluated using samples from the semimembranosus (SM) and longissimus thoracis muscles. Results: The addition of YSClov significantly increased ash content (p < 0.001) and fat content (p < 0.01), reduced water holding capacity (p < 0.01), and SM pH 24 (p < 0.05). The YSClov meat was significantly more tender than the Luc meat, with corresponding values of 8.20 and 11.80 kg/ cm² (p < 0.05), while the Luc meat was more tender when cooked. No significant effect was found for the other parameters. The YSClov meat is richer in desirable fatty acids (DFA), while the Luc meat appears to be richer in omega-3 DFA(p < 0.01). Conclusion: Melilotus officinalis hay showed promising results in intramuscular fat, protein content, tenderness, DFA content, and similar growth performance compared to conventional feeds.

Faecal specimens from diarrhoeic pre-weaned lambs (n = 171) and goat kids (n = 118) were collected in 37 sheep and 23 goat flocks, respectively, from NW Spain and microscopically examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Positive specimens were selected for molecular characterization. Presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts were significantly higher in specimens from goat kids (62.7 %) than from lambs (31.6 %). PCR products of the SSU rRNA locus were obtained for 108 isolates, and three Cryptosporidium species were identified. Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common species identified from both lambs (74.4 %) and goat kids (93.8 %). The remaining PCR products from lambs (25.6 %) and goat kids (7.7 %) were identified as Cryptosporidium Ubiquitum and Cryptosporidium xiaoi, respectively. Five C. parvum subtypes were identified; IIaA13G1R1, IIaA14G2R1, IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1 were found in both host species, and IIdA17G1 was only detected in goat kids. Subtype IIaA15G2R1 was the most common and widely distributed. The present study provides the first description of subtypes IIaA13G1R1 in both small ruminant species, IIaA14G2R1 in sheep and IIaA16G3R1 in goats. Our results also reveal that diarrhoeic pre-weaned lambs and goat kids must be considered important reservoirs of Cryptosporidium species with zoonotic potential, such as C. parvum and C. ubiquitum.

Background Certified Swiss farmers are allowed to disbud their goat kids using a standard intramuscularly administered anaesthetic mixture. This mixture, containing xylazine and ketamine, is officially distributed with the goal to provide a painless disbudding. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of analgesia and anaesthesia achieved during disbudding, when performed by Swiss farmers. To assess this, 174 goat kids at 31 different farms were observed and filmed during cautery disbudding. Results The standard anaesthetic mixture (0.05 mg/kg xylazine and 20 mg/kg ketamine) was used only in 71 goat kids. Fifty-eight goat kids were anaesthetised with different dosages of xylazine (median 0.18 mg/kg) and ketamine (median 10 mg/kg), 22 with xylazine only (median 0.61 mg/kg), 20 with xylazine (median 1.84 mg/kg) and perineural lidocaine (median 1.23 mg/kg), three with acepromazine (dosage unknown) and ketamine (10 mg/kg). Based on vocalisation, limb movement and head lifting during disbudding, a general reaction score was attributed to 168 goat kids (six were excluded due to firm restraint): 56.5% were scored zero (no limb movement, no vocalisation), 7.7% one, 17.3% two and 18.5% three (strong movements, vocalisation). Significant risk factors for higher reaction scores were the type of anaesthetic protocol and manipulation by the farmer during induction. Significant risk factors for longer recoveries were use of xylazine alone or xylazine in combination with perineural lidocaine, breed, younger age and recovery underneath heat lamp. Conclusions The present study indicates that anaesthesia and analgesia of goat kids disbudded by Swiss farmers is inadequate, as 35.8% of the animals showed moderate to strong behavioural reactions during the procedure. Unexpectedly, only 40.8% of the goat kids were anaesthetised with the standard anaesthetic mixture and several other protocols were used. A refinement of the recommended protocol is urgently needed to guarantee animal welfare.

The goat meat preferred by consumers in Spain comes from suckling goat kids, slaughtered at a live weight of 8–10 kg. However, consumption of this meat is very uncommon, so it is necessary to show its value. To achieve this, we planned to investigate consumers’ perceptions about goat kid meat and to study whether their perceptions are related to their sensory appraisal of the meat, measured by the mean of the consumers’ home tests. The experiment was conducted with 30 volunteer families (from two cities with different consumption patterns), who were surveyed regarding their sociodemographic parameters, purchasing and eating habits, and the importance of the meat’s attributes. As a result, four clusters were obtained, which were labeled “negative,” “idealistic,” “positive,” and “concerned about fat content”. The parameters of the animal production system were valued differently by the clusters. Meat tenderness, taste, and amount of fat were considered very decisive factors by most respondents. When the goat kid meat was valued, tenderness was considered more important than taste among older people (“negative” cluster), whereas there was not so much difference between the appraisal of all parameters for the other three clusters. We conclude that it is necessary to improve the information received by consumers about goat production systems and meat quality parameters. There is certainly potential for creating new markets, especially targeted toward young consumers and considering specific strategies for the different groups of consumers, depending on the region and habits of consumption.

Background Molasses is a potential energy supplement; extensively used to improve growth performance, milk and meat characteristics in goats at relatively low concentrations of 5–40% of the diet. Few data are available concerning feeding molasses to goat kids; therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with higher concentrations of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation indices. Twenty male Nubian goat kids (4–6 months old; 9–10 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 4 groups receiving different concentration of molasses: 0% (M-0), 30% (M-30), 40% (M-40) and 45% (M-45) for 5 weeks. Feed (DFI) and water intake (DWI) were measured daily, while the blood and rumen liquor samples were collected weekly. Results The DFI increased and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased in all molasses-supplemented groups ( P  ≤ 0.05), whereas DWI increased in M-30 and decreased in M-45 (P ≤ 0.05). The final BW and average daily gain (ADG) increased ( P  < 0.0001) in groups M-30 and M-40 compared to the control and M-45. Blood pH was significantly influenced by dietary molasses concentration (MC) and the duration of molasses supplementation (MD), where it decreased in groups M-30 and M-45 compared to the control and M-40 ( P  < 0.05). The MC had no significant effect on blood Hb, HCT, TLC, albumin, [K + ], AST, ALT and total protozoa count (TPC), as well as ruminal-[Na + ], [K + ], strong ion difference concentration ([SID 3 ]) and [NH 3 ]; however, only [NH 3 ] was significantly affected by MD and the interaction between MC and MD (MC × MD). Serum TP, globulins, [Na + ] and [Cl − ] increased ( P  ≤ 0.05) in all supplemented groups, while A/G ratio and [SID 3 ] decreased (P ≤ 0.05). Ruminal pH decreased ( P  < 0.0001) in M-40 and M-45 compared to the control and M-30. However, [VFAs] increased ( P  < 0.04) in M-30 and M-40 compared to the control and M-45, while osmolality increased ( P  ≤ 0.05) in M-30 compared to the other groups. Conclusions Dietary supplementation with molasses at a concentration of 30% for 3 weeks improved growth performance, protein metabolism and rumen fermentation without compromising animal health, immunity, and electrolytes and acid-base homeostasis.

Data analysis in goat production, such as those related to body and scrotal measurements, indicate the productive and reproductive animal development. The current study aimed to evaluate the correlations between thoracic perimeter (TP), body length (BL), body compacity (BC), body volume (BV), and scrotal circumference (SC) with body weight (BW) in young male goats of Saanen and Boer breeds. It was used 38 Saanen and 24 Boer male goats, with age average of 7.2 ± 2.0 months. Thoracic perimeter and body length measurements were obtained using a tape measure (cm) and the live weight (kg) a mechanic scale. The variables body compacity (BC) and body volume (BV) were calculated using the equations:  and . Boer breed showed live weight and body compacity higher than Saanen breed (p < 0.05). Regarding correlations between biometric measurements and body weight, we did not find any statistical differences between the breeds (p > 0.05). The scrotal circumference presented the lowest association with body weight (p < 0.05). However, all biometric measurements showed highly significant correlations with live body (p < 0.01). In conclusion, thoracic perimeter was the main measure of body weight predictor, considering efficiency and practical aspects.

The aim of the study was to compare the certain carcass and meat quality traits and also fatty acid composition of goat kids from indigenous breeds (Gokceada and Hair Goat) and dairy breeds (Saanen and Maltese). A total 40 male kids from Saanen, Gokceada, Maltese and Hair Goat breeds were collected from commercial farms after weaning. Kids were finished for 56 days with grower concentrate and alfalfa hay in the sheepfold until slaughter. Higher mean values were found for Saanen kids in terms of slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and real dressing compared with Maltese, Hair Goat and Gokceada kids under the same intensive conditions. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between breeds in terms of instrumental meat quality traits, except meat colour. Meat from Gokceada and Hair Goat kids had higher lightness and Hue angle values than Saanen kids after 24 h of blooming. High meat redness values were observed for Saanen kids after 0 and 1 h of blooming. Panellist appreciated cooked meat from Saanen and Maltese kids in overall acceptability. If the fatty acid composition of meat was taken into consideration, kids from Saanen and Gokceada breeds displayed better values, because of the lower ƩSFA percentage and higher desirable fatty acids (C18:0 + ΣMUFA + ΣPUFA) percentage than Maltese and Hair Goat kids. Our results indicate that male kids for Saanen which is dairy breed could be assessable for quality goat meat production.