Summary
The evidence is examined for the utilisation of Boer goats for intensive animal production. They are used for meat production and the skins are a valuable byproduct. They are by preference browsers and can utilise bushveld most efficiently in combination with cattle. They have a peak in sexual activity in autumn but will breed at any time provided correct husbandry is applied. They are fecund and have a high reproductive rate, quadruplets are not uncommon and figures given for triplets and twins are 6·6 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. Does yield a good milk supply and growth and meat production are improved on a concentrate ration, 60 per cent concentrates being most efficient. The best skins are from young kids. Management and nutrition following early weaning is discussed. The value of the Boer goat would appear to be in the exploitation of tropical bushveld areas and the management of young goats under intensive production systems.
Résumé
Lâutilisation des chĂšvres Boer dâAfrique du Sud pour la production animale intensive est Ă©tudiĂ©e. Elles sont utilisĂ©es pour la production de viande et les peaux sont un sous-produit de valeur. Elles broutent de prĂ©fĂ©rence et peuvent tirer le meilleur parti du âbushveldâ lorsquâelles sont associĂ©es aux bovins.
On observe une point dans lâactivitĂ© sexuelle en automne, mais elles peuvent ĂȘtre accouplĂ©es Ă tout moment Ă condition que le troupeau soit conduit correctement.
Elles sont fécondes et ont un taux de reproduction élevé; les quadruplés ne sont pas rares et les pourcentages de triplés et de jumeaux sont respectivement de 6,6 et 50 p. 100.
Elles ont une bonne proeuction laitiÚre, la croissance et la production de viande sont améliorées par une ration de concentré, 60 p. 100 de concentrés se rélévant le plus efficace.
Les meilleures peaux sont celles des jeunes animaux.
LâĂ©levage et la nutrition aprĂšs le sevrage prĂ©coce sont discutĂ©s.
La chĂšvre Boer paraĂźt donc intĂ©ressante pour lâutilisation du âbushveldâ tropical et pour lâexploitation des jeunes au moyen de systĂšmes de production intensive.
Sumario
Se examina la evidencia para la utilización de los caprinos Boer en una producción animal intensiva. Los animales son usados para la producción de carne y los cueros son un producto secundario importante. Ellos son de preferencia ramoneadores y pueden utilizar las matas mas eicientemente en combinación con bovinos. Sus picos de activida sexual son en otoño pero son fértiles en dualquier tiempo si son manejados en forma correcta. Los animales son fecundos y tienen un alto porcentaje reproductivo, siendo los cuådruplets no incomunes y las cifras para triplets y mellizos son de 6.6 y 50 por ciento respectivamente. Las hembras producen una buena cantidad de leche y tanto el crecimiento como la producción de carne son mejorados si se les alimenta con una dieta de concentrados, siendo 60 por ciento de concentrados lo mas eficiente. Las mejores pieles son las de los cabritos. Se discute el manejo y la nutrición despues de un temprano destete. El valor de los caprinos Boer parece residir en la explotación de areas tropicales de matas y arbustos y en el manejo de los animales jóvenes bajo sistemas de producción intensivos.
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Skinner, J.D. Utilisation of the boer goat for intensive animal production. Trop Anim Health Prod 4, 120â128 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02359746
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02359746