By K. Tyree-Castro*, O.L. Ludolph, S. Kirongo, K. Braxton, P. Natarajan, and E.N. Escobar
Abstract
This report outlines the training of upper-class Animal Science interns in critical thinking, data analysis and technical writing through a study of goat kid (Capra hircus) performance at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Small Ruminant Farm, in Princess Anne, MD 21853 (38.21595 ° N, 75.67918 ° W).
Data collected during the 2022 to 2025 kidding seasons (N = 119) were used to examine how sex, type of birth, and age influenced body weight, which was then used to calculate Average Daily Gain (ADG) as the primary performance indicator.
Type of birth is a significant performance factor (p <0.0001), since does can carry up to four kids at a time. For example, in 2025, male kids (n = 17) had a slightly higher ADG than females (n = 18) at weaning (144.33 + 13.1g/d vs. 127.39 + 7.5 g/d). And, in 2024, the ADG of twins (179.27 + 5.2 g/d, n =9), triplets (159.35 + 8.3 g/d, n = 19), and quadruplets (131.90 + 19.9 g/d, n = 4).
These results demonstrate how sex and type of birth influence growth performance in goat kids. Through participation in breeding, kidding and data analysis, interns gained valuable hands-on experience evaluating growth performance. They enhanced their analytical and technical writing skills for their future careers in animal science.
Introduction & Objectives
Small ruminants are an excellent and affordable model for aspiring animal scientists, veterinarians, and other science students to learn about life, science, data collection and data processing.
At the UMES Small Ruminant Farm, a breeding synchronization protocol has been used for the last 10 years to simplify and optimize the kidding season. Such a function allows for a population of kids of the same age (+ 7 days) for studying growth, and in this case, determining Average Daily Gain (ADG) as an indicator of performance.
The objective of this study was to give intern undergraduate students working at the UMES Small Ruminant Farm the opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, data organization, communication and technical writing skills through the observation and data recording of the performance of goat kids that were born and raised on the farm during four consecutive kidding events.
Materials & Methods
Kiko and Spanish are the prevalent goat breeds at the UMES Small Ruminant Farm, and synchronized breeding is practiced using EAZI-BREEDTM CIDRs® (Zoetis, Inc.; Kalamazoo, MI, USA) to promote scheduled kidding and a uniform kid crop (age, nutritional requirements, vaccinations, etc.).
Kids’ data were collected during four consecutive breeding seasons, 2022 to 2025. At birth, newborns were checked for vital signs, temporarily tagged for individual identification, and the following data were recorded: type of birth (litter size: 1, 2, 3, etc.), sex, and body weight (BW) — newborn kids were weighed using a large bucket and a fishing scale.
Also, iodine (7% tincture) was applied to the umbilical cord/navel area, and colostrum was verified as being suckled. In a few instances, nursing was encouraged for distressed or small kids.
Results & Discussion
A total of 119 kids were born between 2022 and 2025 at the UMES Small Ruminant Farm. They were evaluated for their birth weight (BW, kg), the type of birth (single, twin, triplet, or quad), and their weight on a designated weighing date. From the collected data, the Average Daily Gain (ADG, g) was then calculated.
Effect of sex: Sex of kids did not significantly influence birth BW, BW at the weighing date, or ADG when data from all four years were combined (p >0.05). Male kids had slightly greater BW at birth than females (2.98 kg vs 2.85 kg, respectively), and also ADG (164.16 g/d vs 156.32 g/d).
Effect of Type of Birth: Type of birth had a strong influence on growth traits when data from all years were combined. Birth BW differed significantly among birth types (p <0.0001). Single-born kids had the highest BW at birth (3.45 kg). BW at the weighing date and ADG were also significantly influenced by birth type (p <0.0001 and p <0.0017, respectively), Figure 1.
Table 1: Means and standard errors for Type of Birth of kids. All years combined — 2022 to 2025, Data are expressed as means +/- standard error (SE)
Table 2: Means and standard error for sex of kids. All years combined — 2022 to 2025. Data are expressed as means +/- standard error (SE)
Conclusions
Overall, type of birth was the most influential factor affecting goat kid growth performance. Single-born kids showed greater birth weights and higher growth rates compared with kids from larger litters. Birth weight was positively correlated with postnatal growth, highlighting its importance as an early predictor of kid performance.
Kaila Tyree-Castro is an aspiring mixed animal veterinarian. She is passionate about animal welfare and their quality of life. Kaila enjoys hands-on activities and learns best by facing different challenges and experiencing new things. Since Spring 2023 Kaila has worked at the UMES Small Ruminant Farm where she has enhanced her clinical, animal handling, and observation skills. Her expected B.S. graduation date is May 2026.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. In addition, Agricultural Extension Programs at 1890 Institutions – Grant NI221444XXXXG017. in partnership with the State of Maryland Legislature. Also, a grant from the Center for Farming Systems, Rural Prosperity and Economic Sustainability — 1890 Universities Foundation.
The findings and conclusions in this preliminary presentation have not been formally disseminated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.
