Relationships between litter size, age and body condition in Saanen goats

The aim of the study was to find the answer how the litter size of mothers and the lactation average body condition (BCS) change with age. At which age is most of the litter size and and what BCS are related to it . Furthermore, how long time it is worth keeping the animals in production based on the number of litter size. A total of 215 goats were examined. We found that two-year-old mothergoats were in the best body condition (0.5-4.5 scale). The two-years old animals had significantly more offspring number than one-year-olds (1.53, 1.84) while their body condition improved (2.36; 2.53). The litter size significantly increased from 1 to 4 years of age, which was the largest (2.15, 2.19) in the 4-5 age group, the average value of Saanen goat: 1,8. The lactation average BCS were 2,19 and 2,18 in these ages. The offspring number decreased significantly at 6 years of age. However, 7-8 years old had a weak condition (1.8; 1.7), but still had a high number of progeny (2.17, 1.87) and more than two-year-old animals. At all ages, the BCS values were poorest at mother with three kids (r = -0,22).