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Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites pose a major health concern in goats raised in pastures. The study objective was to evaluate GI parasites’ prevalence in lactating Kiko does and kids stocked in woodlands with supplemental grazing or feedstuffs. Seventeen lactating Kiko does, and their thirty-three kids were divided into two groups. Group 1 was supplemented with grazing in silvopastures and Group 2 with ad libitum hay and corn (0.5% of metabolic weight) along with stocking in woodland plots rotationally. Fecal samples were analyzed for type and quantity of GI parasites from animals having FAMACHA score 3 and higher. Group-1 does showed a better FAMACHA score and lower parasite infestation vs. Group-2 does. However, kids in Group 1 had a higher infestation of helminth parasites, but lower coccidia counts. This study indicated that grazing quality pastures is a better option for supplementing lactating does stocked in woodlands vs. feedstuffs.

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