Early nursing behaviour in ungulate mothers with hider offspring (Capra hircus): Correlations between milk yield and kid weight

Studies on the spatial relationship between mother and young in the domestic goat (Capra hircus) have suggested that nursing behaviour is infrequent immediately post-partum, owing to “hiding” behaviour in the kids. We hypothesized that: (1) nursing frequency is low during the first 2-5 days post-partum, compared to subsequent days and weeks; and (2) nursing variables are related to milk yield of the mother and weight of the kids. Nursing behaviour was determined in 12 creole goat-kid pairs during the first 6 h post-partum and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days post-partum. No increases in nursing frequency and total nursing time were observed at the end of the first week post-partum, rather these variables decreased. The percentage of nursing attempts rejected and nursing episode terminations by the mother increased from 14 day post-partum. Some nursing variables were positively correlated with milk yield. The weight of kids was positively correlated with the milk yield of the dams. The results of the present study suggest that more intense nursing behaviour is evident during the first week post-partum and is thereafter reduced, as the post-partum period progresses.