Maternal influence on juniper consumption in Boer-cross goats

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine if maternal influences increased redberry juniper (Junipers pinchottii Sudw.) consumption by goats. Twenty-one Boer nannies were bred to determine the effects of maternal influences from different stages of exposure. Experiment 1, examined the exposure in the uterus in the third trimester, Experiment 2 examined the effect of exposure through lactation. Experiment 3, examined the mothers influence as a social role model and the last treatment group was the control. At weaning, all kids were fed juniper in individual pens at the Angelo State University Management Instruction and Research Center, San Angelo, TX. Kids were fed juniper 30 min each day for 24 days and refusals were weighed back daily to monitor intake. Following the juniper feeding, kids were fed a basal diet of alfalfa pellets (2.5% BW) to meet body maintenance requirements. All kids increased intake over the 24 days of exposure. Kids that foraged with mom on juniper-dominated rangelands initially ate more juniper.