Studies on behaviour, health and performance traits of different goat genotypes

Animal behaviours, adaptation parameters and production performance present differences among genotypes and the suitability of genotypes for production systems. This study aimed at investigating the performance, grazing and indoor behavioural traits and health parameters of three goat genotypes.The study was carried out between 2007-2008 at the Goat Unit of the Technological and Agricultural Centre, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. Of the breeds used in the study, Gökçeada goat (39.1 kg), Maltese goat (47.2 kg) and Turkish Sanen goat (52.3 kg) can be considered as small, medium and large bodied goats, respectively (P?0.05). Gökçeada goats develop slowly, but Turkish Saanen goat develops fast and can be used for breeding early. The highest largest litter size was in Maltese genotype with 2.2 and the lowest litter size was in Gökçeada genotype with 1.6 (P?0.05). The highest milk yield was found in Turkish Saanen, whereas the lowest yield was obtained in the Gökçeada genotype (P?0.05).Goats had a preference towards Gramineae (especially triticale) in temporary pasture (P?0.05). The grazing frequency was lowest in Hungarian vetch, but the calculated intake value higher than common vetch. Though goats are known to efficiently browse the shrubs, in this study they preferred the wheat pasture. Preference towards pasture types differed depending upon genotype and age such that Maltese genotype preferred more herbaceous species. Climbing on shrubs ranked from Turkish Saanen, Gökçeada and Maltese in the descending order (P>0.05). Goats, which were not provided with supplemental feed, maintained their body weight but their milk yields decreased (P?0.05).The observations indicated that the goats spent most of their times lying (76%) and frequency of ruminating (12.4%) was low at night. The frequency of agonistic behaviours, which were observed during competition for feed, was highest in Turkish Saanen, followed by Maltese and Gökçeada (P?0.05). Although aggressive biting, which can be regarded as an abnormal behaviour in a ruminant species with horns were observed in all genotypes, hornless goats and Turkish Saanen goats had higher frequency of biting. Goats with close dominance order interacted more and the highest interaction frequency took place in the animal of second order.Maltese had the best health parameters under semi-intensive production system and the adaptation of Turkish Saanen was found reasonable. In the system, which had health problems during the weaning period, Gökçeada genotype experienced adaptation problems. Adaptation and resistance to diseases were different between genotypes and individuals.