Goat Kidding Management: From Pregnancy to Weaning

Kidding management covers the period from late gestation through weaning and directly determines kid survival, doe health, and future herd productivity. This guide provides a practical framework for managing the kidding cycle, including nutrition, health monitoring, record keeping, and intervention criteria. The approach applies to meat, dairy, and fiber goat operations, with adjustments for breed, climate, and production system.

At a Glance

Reproductive Cycle and Kidding Season Planning

Goats are seasonally polyoestrous in temperate regions, with breeding activity concentrated in fall and winter. In tropical regions, goats can breed year-round, but restricted feed availability often causes prolonged periods without estrus and reduced fertility. Understanding your herd's breeding pattern is the first step in planning the kidding season.

Photoperiod controls sexual activity in goats. Short days stimulate sexual activity while long days inhibit it. Producers can use artificial photoperiod changes to manage breeding timing, and the buck effect can help synchronize estrus without hormones. Hormonal treatments combined with artificial insemination allow out-of-season breeding and grouping of kidding periods, but fertility after hormone-free synchronization remains lower than with hormonal protocols.

For most operations, the practical goal is to concentrate kidding into a defined season. This allows focused labor, better supervision of births, and uniform kid groups for feeding and health management. A defined kidding season also simplifies record keeping and allows you to compare performance across years.

Late Pregnancy Nutrition and Body Condition

Nutrition in the last third of pregnancy drives kid birth weight, doe milk production, and postpartum health. The periparturient period is a critical phase in dairy goats, during which metabolic and oxidative adaptations influence maternal physiology and offspring viability. Goats that experience kid mortality at birth show higher oxidative stress markers and altered metabolic parameters compared to does with surviving kids.

Body condition scoring should be done at breeding, mid-pregnancy, and again at four to six weeks before kidding. Does that are too thin lack reserves for lactation, while overconditioned does face higher risk of metabolic problems. Adjust feed to achieve a body condition score appropriate for your breed and production system.

Feed quality matters as much as quantity. In fiber-producing breeds such as Angora goats, protein requirements are uniquely high due to mohair production, and marginal protein intake is common in extensive systems. Mineral requirements vary by region, and toxic plants become a problem when animals are hungry and forced to eat them. Poor nutrition contributes to stress abortions and birth of weak kids.

Dietary changes in late pregnancy can influence offspring performance. Research on dairy goats shows that including mulberry leaves in the diet during late gestation and the suckling period improved nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation, with kids from supplemented groups showing significantly higher weaning weights. The highest inclusion level also produced the best economic outcomes. This illustrates that forage quality and feed choices in late pregnancy carry through to kid performance.

Preparing the Kidding Area

A clean, dry, and sheltered kidding area reduces the risk of infection for both does and newborns. The area should protect against wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. Freshly shorn goats are especially vulnerable to cold stress when exposed to rapid temperature changes, wind, or rain.

Facility preparation should include:

• Clean bedding that is dry and free of manure buildup
• Separation pens for does that are close to kidding
• A separate area for does with newborns to allow bonding
• Access to clean water and feed near the kidding area
• Lighting that allows observation at night
• Supplies for assisting births and treating newborns

Sub-optimal housing conditions, including irregular cleaning, are associated with reduced productivity in smallholder systems. Regular cleaning and disinfection between kidding groups helps break disease cycles, particularly for coccidiosis, which becomes severe in young kids congregated in small areas.

Recognizing the Stages of Kidding

Observation of the doe in late pregnancy helps you identify when kidding is approaching. Signs include udder development, relaxation of the pelvic ligaments, and behavioral changes such as isolation from the group. Does may become restless, paw at bedding, and show increased vocalization.

The kidding process has three stages. The first stage involves cervical dilation and uterine contractions, lasting several hours. The second stage is active delivery of the kid, which should progress steadily. The third stage is expulsion of the placenta, normally within a few hours after birth.

Normal presentation is front feet first with the head between the legs. Any other presentation may require assistance. Time limits for each stage vary by breed and litter size, and knowing what is normal for your herd helps you decide when to intervene.

Most goats deliver without assistance. Interference is needed when:

• The doe has been straining for an extended period without progress
• A malpresentation is visible
• The doe is exhausted or showing signs of distress
• A previous difficult birth suggests higher risk

Intensive management at kidding time can markedly increase the kid crop weaned. This is especially true in breeds with lower reproductive efficiency, where a 50 percent kid crop weaned is average in many areas. Some does are poor mothers and abandon their kids if distracted or frightened soon after parturition, so a quiet, low-stress environment supports maternal behavior.

Colostrum Management

Colostrum is the single most important input for newborn kid survival. It provides antibodies, energy, and essential nutrients. The timing, volume, and quality of colostrum feeding are critical components of kid rearing programs.

Colostrum quality varies between does and can be influenced by nutrition and health. Colostrum should be harvested from healthy does with clean udders. If colostrum is stored, it should be refrigerated or frozen and used within recommended timeframes.

The first feeding should occur as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the first few hours. Newborn kids have a limited window for absorbing antibodies from colostrum, and delayed feeding increases the risk of disease. The volume fed at the first feeding and the frequency of subsequent feedings should follow a plan appropriate for your breed and kid size.

For kids that are weak or unable to nurse, colostrum can be given by bottle or stomach tube. Kids born to does with poor colostrum quality or quantity may need supplemental colostrum from another source. A colostrum bank from healthy does in your own herd reduces disease introduction risk compared to purchasing colostrum from outside sources.

Immediate Postpartum Care for the Doe

After kidding, the doe needs monitoring for complications. The postpartum period involves marked changes in endocrine and metabolic status, along with reduced feed intake when nutrient demand for lactation is increasing. This makes the doe vulnerable to health problems.

Key observations in the first days after kidding include:

• Appetite and water intake
• Udder health and milk letdown
• Vaginal discharge and placental expulsion
• Body temperature
• General attitude and activity level

Retained placenta, metritis, and mastitis are the main postpartum health concerns. Early detection and treatment improve outcomes. Treatment protocols should be developed with your veterinarian, and any medication use must follow label directions and withdrawal periods.

Intrauterine treatments for postpartum uterine health have been studied in goats. One study examined oxytetracycline tablets administered intrauterine at the day of birth, alone or followed by oxytocin or GnRH injection on the third day after birth. The study monitored oxytetracycline residues in milk and postpartum ovarian resumption. This research highlights that any intrauterine treatment has implications for milk residues and requires careful attention to withdrawal times.

Newborn Kid Assessment and Care

Each kid should be assessed immediately after birth. Birth weight is a key indicator of viability and future growth. Kids with low birth weight have higher mortality risk, and birth weight is significantly associated with pre-weaning mortality across breeds and production systems.

The newborn assessment should include:

• Birth weight
• Sex and litter size
• Vigor and ability to stand
• Nursing ability
• Physical abnormalities
• Body temperature

Kids should be dried if conditions are cold and placed in a clean, dry area. Navel disinfection reduces the risk of infection. Identification at birth, such as ear tags or tattoos, allows individual record keeping.

Litter size affects growth and survival. Singletons have higher average daily gain compared to kids born in litters of two or more. Higher litter size is associated with increased mortality risk. Kids with higher birth weight and does with higher daily milk yield support better growth. Parity also matters, with increasing parity order associated with increased average daily gain.

Sex differences appear early. Male kids show higher average daily gain than females, but also face a higher hazard of death during the pre-weaning period in some studies. These factors should be considered when setting growth targets and identifying at-risk kids.

Feeding the Suckling Kid

The pre-weaning period is the foundation for lifetime productivity. Goat kid rearing is a key profit driver and the cornerstone of future herd productivity in dairy systems. As kids progress from liquid to solid feed, there is a reduction in feed cost, labor cost, disease susceptibility, and mortality rates.

Kids can be raised on maternal suckling or artificial rearing. Maternal suckling is simpler and requires less labor, but makes it harder to monitor individual milk intake. Artificial rearing allows precise control of intake and reduces the risk of disease transmission, but requires clean equipment and consistent feeding schedules.

For artificially reared kids, milk replacer quality and feeding consistency are critical. Feeding equipment must be cleaned and sanitized between feedings to prevent bacterial contamination. Milk temperature and concentration should be consistent.

Early-life nutrition has long-term effects on lifetime productive performance and health of dairy goats. Research on early weaning in goat kids shows that weaning at 10 kg live weight did not affect body development, reproduction performance, or milk production in Alpine doelings. Higher concentrate intake during the rearing phase increased body development and mammary gland weight but did not change mammary parenchyma development or milk production.

Introducing Solid Feed

Solid feed introduction is essential for rumen development. A complete milk diet significantly reduces rumen development and should be avoided. Stimulating solid feed intake early prepares kids for weaning and reduces stress at the transition.

Provide fresh, palatable starter feed and good quality forage from the first week of life. Kids learn to eat solid feed by observing their dams or other kids. Clean water should always be available.

Early rumen development is essential for weaning goat kids. Using feedstuffs not utilized by non-ruminant animals becomes possible once the rumen is functional. Delayed weaning is costly and can be harmful to the development of a functional reticulo-rumen.

The starter feed should be high quality, fresh, and offered in small amounts that are replaced frequently. Feed intake should be monitored to identify kids that are not transitioning to solid feed.

Weaning Strategies

Weaning is a major transition that affects growth, health, and welfare. Weaning management in commercial goat farming is an important welfare issue, and the future of successful dairy goat farming depends on scientific methods of rearing replacement stock.

Weaning can be abrupt or gradual. Abrupt weaning separates kids from milk immediately, while step-down weaning gradually reduces milk allowance over several days or weeks. Step-down weaning is generally less stressful and allows kids to increase solid feed intake before milk is removed completely.

The decision of when to wean depends on:

• Kid body weight and age
• Solid feed intake
• Health status
• Production system goals
• Milk market value

Early weaning increases the total amount of milk available for marketing, decreases kid mortality, reduces labor and feed costs, and increases early rumen development. However, at early ages kids are prone to weaning stress and being separated from their mothers.

Body weight, age, and body condition are important in weaning decisions. Weaning based on weight instead of age alone ensures that kids have adequate body reserves and rumen development to handle the transition. Kids that are light or in poor condition may need extended milk feeding or special management.

Growth Monitoring and Performance Targets

Regular weighing is the most reliable way to monitor kid growth. Birth weight, weaning weight, and average daily gain are the key performance indicators. These measurements allow you to identify problems early and compare performance across seasons and years.

Average daily gain varies by breed, litter size, and management. In one study of Zaraibi goat kids, average daily gain was 131 grams per day from birth to one month, 94 grams per day from birth to two months, and 86 grams per day from birth to three months. Survival rates were 94.7 percent, 91.8 percent, and 90.6 percent for the same periods.

In another study comparing indigenous goat types, kids from the Begait genotype had higher birth weight at 3.2 kg and weaning weight at 10.6 kg with average daily gain of 88.7 grams compared to the Maefur genotype. Male kids were superior to females at birth and weaning, and single-born kids were heavier at birth and weaning with higher average daily gain than twins.

These figures provide reference points, but your targets should be based on your breed, production system, and historical herd performance. Tracking individual kid weights from birth to weaning allows you to identify underperforming animals and adjust management.

Health Management and Disease Prevention

Pre-weaning mortality is a major source of economic loss and welfare concern for goat producers. Mortality is influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors, and it varies across goat breeds and production systems.

Common infectious causes of kid mortality include gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. Non-infectious factors include malnutrition and tick-borne diseases. The underlying interactions between genetic, biological, environmental, management, and socioeconomic determinants make pre-weaning mortality a multifactorial problem.

Risk factors for pre-weaning mortality include:

• Low birth weight
• Large litter size
• Male sex
• Young or old dam age
• Season of birth
• Breed and heterosis

Pre-weaning mortality has low to moderate heritability, with strong genetic correlations among mortality traits defined at different pre-weaning stages. This means that both management and genetic selection can reduce mortality.

Preventive health practices include:

• Colostrum management within hours of birth
• Clean kidding and rearing areas
• Vaccination programs developed with your veterinarian
• Parasite control appropriate for your region
• Biosecurity to prevent disease introduction
• Isolation of sick animals

Coccidiosis is a severe problem in young kids that are congregated in small areas. Internal parasitism, particularly Haemonchus contortus, is a concern in wet regions where goats graze. Breed differences in parasite susceptibility exist, with fiber breeds in wet regions being especially susceptible when forced to graze.

Probiotics and Gut Health

Gut health in young kids affects growth and survival. Research on conjugated probiotics administered from birth to weaning showed reduced diarrhea and mortality in goat kids. In one study, diarrhea was present in 16 percent of control kids but only 1 percent of kids receiving a mid-level probiotic dose, with no diarrhea in the higher dose groups. Mortality was 17 percent in controls and zero in all probiotic-treated groups. The best weight gain was achieved at a specific dose, with treated kids gaining 1.9 kg more than controls by day 56.

These findings suggest that gut health support during the pre-weaning period can reduce enteric disease and improve growth. Probiotic products vary in composition and quality, and responses may differ between herds. Discuss gut health management options with your veterinarian.

Record Keeping and Performance Evaluation

Records are the foundation of good kidding management. Without records, you cannot identify problems, evaluate interventions, or make genetic progress. The kidding cycle generates data that supports both management and breeding decisions.

Essential records for the kidding cycle include:

• Doe identification and parity
• Breeding dates and expected kidding dates
• Kidding date and difficulty score
• Litter size and sex of kids
• Birth weights
• Colostrum timing and volume
• Health treatments and dates
• Weekly weights from birth to weaning
• Weaning weights and dates
• Mortality events and causes

Reproductive performance indicators include gestation length, age at first service, age at first kidding, and kidding interval. In one smallholder study, average gestation length was 4.47 months, age at first service was 11.20 months, and age at first kidding was 15.67 months, with poorer performance in semi-arid environments compared to hot-humid areas.

Traditional management systems result in delayed puberty, lower litter size, longer kidding intervals, and high mortality rates. Improved management systems lead to higher milk yields, larger litter sizes, and better survival rates. Community-based breeding programs are crucial for improving indigenous breeds in low-input production systems.

Genetic Considerations

Breeding decisions affect kidding ease, kid vigor, and pre-weaning survival. Birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight respond to selective breeding, leading to improved growth performance. Functional traits related to udder morphology and health have become important in dairy goat breeding schemes.

Selection for reproductive efficiency should consider:

• Kidding interval
• Litter size
• Maternal ability
• Kid survival
• Growth rate

In many traditional systems, breeding animals are selected based on personal appraisal instead of performance records. This limits genetic progress. Structured breeding programs that use performance and pedigree data can improve pre-weaning performance and functional traits.

Crossbreeding and heterosis influence pre-weaning mortality. Breed and heterosis were significantly associated with mortality traits in a mixed population of Boer and Spanish goats. Understanding breed differences and the benefits of crossbreeding helps you make informed breeding decisions.

Common Failure Patterns

Recognizing common problems allows early intervention. The following patterns are frequently observed in kidding management:

Failure pattern 1: Inadequate colostrum intake. Kids that do not receive sufficient colostrum within the first hours of life have higher disease risk and mortality. This occurs when does have poor colostrum quality, kids are weak and cannot nurse, or supervision is inadequate.

Failure pattern 2: Poor late pregnancy nutrition. Does that are underfed in late gestation produce weak kids and insufficient milk. This is common in extensive systems where feed availability fluctuates seasonally.

Failure pattern 3: Overcrowding and poor sanitation. Kids congregated in small, dirty areas face high disease pressure, particularly coccidiosis and respiratory infections. Regular cleaning and appropriate stocking density are essential.

Failure pattern 4: Delayed intervention at kidding. Does that need assistance but do not receive it in time may lose kids or suffer uterine damage. Clear criteria for intervention and trained personnel reduce this risk.

Failure pattern 5: Abrupt weaning without solid feed adaptation. Kids that have not learned to eat solid feed before weaning lose weight and face higher disease risk. Gradual weaning and early solid feed introduction prevent this problem.

Failure pattern 6: Inconsistent record keeping. Without accurate records, problems go undetected and management decisions are based on guesswork. Simple, consistent record keeping systems are more likely to be maintained.

Welfare and Safety Considerations

Kidding management has direct welfare implications for both does and kids. Painful procedures, rough handling, and stressful environments reduce productivity and compromise animal welfare. The World Organisation for Animal Health provides international standards for animal health and welfare that inform best practices.

Welfare considerations during the kidding cycle include:

• Providing adequate space and clean bedding
• Minimizing stress during handling and treatment
• Using pain relief where appropriate and prescribed
• Ensuring humane euthanasia for nonviable animals
• Providing protection from predators and extreme weather

Predators cause serious kid losses in many areas. Predator control measures should be legal, effective, and humane. Herding dogs, fencing, and night housing are common approaches.

Worker safety is also relevant. Kidding management involves physical labor, handling of animals, and use of equipment. Safe handling facilities reduce injury risk for both workers and animals. Needle safety, proper lifting technique, and hygiene practices protect farm workers.

Food Safety and Medication Use

For dairy operations, milk safety is a primary concern. Any medication used in postpartum does can result in residues in milk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides animal veterinary resources that include information on approved drugs, residue testing, and withdrawal periods.

Intrauterine oxytetracycline treatment in postpartum goats results in measurable residues in milk. The time required for complete disappearance of the medicament from milk depends on the product and route of administration. Producers must follow label withdrawal periods and test milk when required.

Key food safety practices include:

• Using only approved medications
• Following label directions and withdrawal periods
• Keeping accurate treatment records
• Separating treated animals and their milk
• Testing milk for residues when required
• Maintaining clean milking equipment

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern in animal agriculture. Responsible medication use, including avoiding unnecessary treatments and completing prescribed courses, helps preserve drug effectiveness. The FDA provides guidance on judicious use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals.

Professional Escalation Criteria

Some situations require veterinary involvement. Early consultation improves outcomes and may reduce costs. Contact your veterinarian when you observe:

• Dystocia that does not resolve with basic assistance
• Does with retained placenta beyond the normal timeframe
• Signs of metritis such as foul-smelling discharge, fever, or depression
• Mastitis or abnormal udder appearance
• Kids with diarrhea that does not respond to supportive care
• Respiratory disease in kids
• High or unusual mortality patterns
• Abortion storms or multiple stillbirths
• Suspected toxic plant ingestion
• Any condition requiring medication beyond your treatment protocols

Your veterinarian can help develop herd health programs, treatment protocols, and biosecurity plans. The USDA Agricultural Research Service conducts research on animal production and protection that informs practical recommendations. The USDA National Agricultural Library provides animal health and welfare resources for producers.

Limitations and Context

The research base for goat kidding management is uneven. Much of the published work comes from dairy systems in temperate regions, with less information from meat and fiber operations or tropical environments. Breed differences are substantial, and results from one production system may not transfer directly to another.

Smallholder and extensive systems face different constraints than intensive operations. In communal production systems, unstructured traditional breeding, indiscriminate crossbreeding, and lack of performance and pedigree data limit progress. Interventions must be context-appropriate and account for local resources and market conditions.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provides animal production resources that address global livestock systems. These resources support the development of resilient goat production systems in marginalized communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when a doe is about to kid?

Does show several signs as kidding approaches. The udder fills and enlarges, the pelvic ligaments relax, and the doe may isolate herself from the group. Behavioral changes include restlessness, pawing at bedding, and increased vocalization. Milk may be present in the teats shortly before kidding. Knowing the expected kidding date from breeding records helps you anticipate when to increase observation.

How long should kidding take?

The duration of kidding varies by breed, litter size, and individual doe. First stage labor with cervical dilation can last several hours. Active delivery of each kid should progress steadily once straining begins. If the doe strains for an extended period without producing a kid, or if a malpresentation is visible, assistance is needed. Know what is normal for your herd and have clear criteria for intervention.

How much colostrum does a newborn kid need?

Colostrum should be fed as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the first few hours. The volume depends on kid size and colostrum quality. Colostrum provides antibodies, energy, and essential nutrients. Kids that are weak or unable to nurse may need colostrum by bottle or stomach tube. A colostrum bank from healthy does in your own herd provides backup for emergencies.

When should I wean goat kids?

Weaning timing depends on kid body weight, age, solid feed intake, and production system goals. Early weaning increases milk available for marketing and reduces labor and feed costs, but kids must be adapted to solid feed. Weaning based on weight instead of age alone ensures kids have adequate body reserves and rumen development. Step-down weaning that gradually reduces milk allowance is less stressful than abrupt weaning.

Why are my kids dying before weaning?

Pre-weaning mortality has multiple causes. Low birth weight, large litter size, male sex, and dam age are significant risk factors. Infectious causes include gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, while non-infectious factors include malnutrition and tick-borne diseases. Colostrum management, sanitation, and nutrition are the main preventive measures. Keep accurate records of mortality events to identify patterns and work with your veterinarian to address specific causes.

How can I improve kid growth rates?

Birth weight, litter size, and the doe's milk yield are the main drivers of pre-weaning growth. Improving late pregnancy nutrition supports higher birth weights and better milk production. Single-born kids grow faster than twins, and kids from higher parity does grow faster than those from first-kidding does. Regular weighing identifies underperforming kids early. Solid feed introduction from the first week of life supports rumen development and smooths the weaning transition.

What medications can I use in postpartum goats?

Medication use must follow label directions and withdrawal periods. Intrauterine oxytetracycline treatment results in measurable residues in milk, so withdrawal times must be observed. Work with your veterinarian to develop treatment protocols for retained placenta, metritis, and mastitis. Keep accurate treatment records and separate treated animals and their milk. The FDA provides animal veterinary resources on approved drugs and residue testing.

How do I reduce stress at weaning?

Gradual weaning that reduces milk allowance over several days or weeks is less stressful than abrupt separation. Ensure kids are eating solid feed before milk is removed. Provide fresh, palatable starter feed and clean water. Maintain kids in familiar groups and avoid mixing with unfamiliar animals at weaning. Monitor weights and health closely in the weeks after weaning to identify problems early.

Related Farming Guides

• Goat Weaning Management: Timing, Methods, and Post-Weaning Nutrition
• Goat Kidding Management and Care
• Goat Nutrition and Feeding Management
• Mule Care and Management: Nutrition, Housing, and Health
• Managing First-Kidding Does: Growth, Nutrition, and Supervision

References and Further Reading

• FAO Animal Production and Health. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
• Animal Health and Welfare. USDA National Agricultural Library.
• Animal and Veterinary Resources. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Animal Health and Welfare. World Organisation for Animal Health.
• Animal Production and Protection. USDA Agricultural Research Service.
• Management of goat reproduction and insemination for genetic improvement in France.. Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene, 2008.
• Review: Feeding strategies for rearing replacement dairy goats - from birth to kidding.. Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience, 2023.
• Goat productivity under smallholder farmer management in semi-arid and hot-humid parts of Zimbabwe: a useful step for building resilient goat production systems in marginalized communities.. Tropical animal health and production, 2026.
• Effect of different post-partum therapeutic protocols with intrauterine oxytetracycline, oxytocin and/or GnRH injection in post-kidding goats on oxytetracyclines residues in goat milk and postpartum ovarian resumption with referring to clinical and haematological pictures.. BMC veterinary research, 2023.
• Reproductive cycle of goats.. Animal reproduction science, 2011.
• Special problems of hair goats.. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 1990.
• Maternal, Postnatal, and Management-Related Factors Involved in Daily Weight Gain and Survivability of Suckling Zaraibi Goat Kids in Egypt.. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2022.
• Comprehensive Insights Into the Productivity and Reproductive Efficiency of Indigenous Goats in Ethiopia: Review.. Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene, 2025.
• Kid Health Problems in Swedish Goat Herds: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Herd-Level Risk Factors and Preventive Practices. 2026.
• Dietary inclusion of Morus alba leaves influences milk production and offspring growth performance in dairy goats.. 2026.
• Periparturient changes in oxidative stress and metabolic parameters in higher-parity Saanen goats with and without kid mortality at birth.. 2026.
• Modulation of NF-κB and TLR Signaling Pathways and Complement Components in Ovine Maternal Thyroid During Early Pregnancy.. 2026.
• Field evaluation of visual endoscope-assisted transcervical artificial insemination in goats: Effects on insemination time and pregnancy outcomes under tropical conditions.. 2026.
• Longitudinal clinical-chemical profiles and metabolic dynamics in Thuringian Forest dairy goats during pregnancy and lactation under organic farming conditions.. 2026.
• Risk Factor Analysis and Genetic Parameter Estimation for Pre-Weaning Mortality Traits in Boer, Spanish, and Crossbred Goat Kids. Animals, 2024.
• Importance of body weight, age and body condition in weaning of goat kids: a review. Journal of Livestock Science, 2023.
• Pre-weaning goat kid mortality in communal production systems: a multifactorial synthesis of causes, risk factors, and mitigation strategies. Frontiers in Animal Science, 2026.
• Evaluation of pre-weaning growth performances of Begait and Maefur goat types in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Agricultural Science and Technology, 2026.
• Birth and Weaning Weight of Sudanese Desert Goat as Affected by Management System. 2017.
• Conjugated probiotics dispensed from birth to weaning for the survival of goat kids. Agro Productividad, 2023.
• Sevrage précoce et alimentation post-sevrage chez la chevrette : impacts sur les performances zootechniques et sur le développement mammaire. (Early weaning and post-weaning feeding management in goat kids. Effects on growth, reproduction, milk production and mammary gland development). 2018.
• Genetic and environmental factors affecting the kidding interval of dairy goats in the semi-arid northeastern. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia, 2003.
• Effect of improved management practices on productive and reproductive performance of Osmanabadi goats under semi-intensive rearing systems. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2021.
• Genetic and environmental factors on the age of first kidding of milk goats. Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia, 1997.
• Growth performance of woyto-guji and central highland goat breeds under traditional management system in Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2016.
• Production performance of Jakhrana goats in its home tract. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2005.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.