Reproduction, health and kid growth of Boer F1 and Myotonic does in Southeastern United States

Reciprocal Boer F1 crossbred does and Boer, Kiko, and Spanish foundation straightbreds were evaluated for doe-kid traits. A parallel assessment was made on Myotonic purebred does. All does were bred to Myotonic bucks. Fertility was higher (P<0.01) for Boer F1 than for Boer but not different from Spanish or Kiko does. Fertility in daughters of Boer dams was lower (P<0.05) than for Kiko and Spanish dams. More ( P<0.001) daughters of Kiko or Spanish dams weaned a kid than from Boer. A higher proportion (P<0.05) of Kiko-sired and Spanish-sired daughters weaned a kid than Boer-sired. Higher proportion (P=0.09) of Boer tended to be treated for internal parasitism than Kiko. Higher proportion (P=0.06) of Kiko-sired and Spanish-sired daughters stayed in the herd than from Boer sires. Breed direct genetic effect on fertility was important (P<0.05) for Boer (-74.4%), Kiko (37.5%) and Spanish (39.2). Breed direct effect on weaning rate was important ( P<0.01) for Boer (-94.6) and Kiko (64.8). Heterosis level was important for fertility (P<0.05). Kid growth did not differ among genetic groups. Among straightbreds fertility was lower (P<0.02) for Boer does than for Kiko, Myotonic and Spanish does; the later three were similar. For weaning rate Myotonics were similar to Boer and Spanish but different (P<0.05) from Kiko. Kiko does had more kids at kidding and weaning (P<0.05) than Myotonics. At kidding, Kiko and Spanish does had heavier (PMyotonic) for litter weight.;Fewer Myotonic and Kiko does were treated for internal parasites than Spanish and Boer. Kids from Myotonic does were lighter at birth ( P<0.005) and weaning (P<0.0001). In conclusion, Boer F1 had better performance than Boer does but did not differ from Spanish and Kiko. Myotonic had better stayability rates, but lower reproductive rates than other doe genotypes.