Production and reproduction characteristics of South African indigenous goats in communal farming systems

South African indigenous does in rural communal farming systems kid for the first time at approximately 17 to 18 months of age. Does conceive at a relatively low body condition score (BCS ≈ 2.5 to 3) and their average litter size is 1.7 kids per doe. The average kidding interval was approximately 238 days and the highest kidding rates were attained in autumn (96%), followed by spring (93%), winter (63%) and summer (0%). The mortality rates in goats in communal systems were extremely high (40.6%) compared to systems with better management (<5%). The mortality rates result from theft, poor hygiene and predation. Breeding is not controlled and occurs all year round, which creates managerial problems. _______________________________________________________________________________________