Looking back- Diva's first 6 months.

10/8/2013

Starting this story late in the game, I will have to take the time to look back over Diva's kidhood.

Diva was born on a Friday night, on March 29th 2013. She was one of triplets, with a brother and a sister joining her. All three kids were fairly even, Diva's sister was a bit smaller than the other two, but we don't find this unusual in triplets.

Diva, on her 'birthday'

Diva and her siblings were left with mom for the first few weeks, until we pulled her brother in April to go and be the companion to another triplet, who was not strong enough to stay with his dam. The 2 girls were left with mom, to nurse happily away, and grow.

Diva at just 2 days over a month old.

Diva's sister Diana, at just under 2 months old. Diva is behind her.

At 2 months old the girls are still growing well, Diva is the same size and growing equally with her sister. She has no outward signs that she might be affected. The green on the ears is from tattooing.

Diva at 4 1/2 months old. Still looking 'Normal'.

Diva has always been a slender doe. She is from a tall mother and a tall slender father. She carries their lankiness.

Diva at 6 months old, with her dam and other adult does. She is not a tiny un-thrifty doe kid.

Diva again at 6 months old, still looking normal and thriving.

Diva is continuing to grow like a normal kid. She is a little smaller than her cohort, Dixie, who is a month and a half older than her, and from different bloodlines. We have thrown some ideas to the wind that it's possible her steady health was influenced by nursing for 6 full months, was she getting the things her own body lacks from her dam. Now that she is weaned, by choice of her dam and forthcoming siblings, we will keep a closer eye on her.

Diva is currently being fed the same as our doeling, Dixie, who is destined for the breeding pen. They are currently getting 1 1/2 pounds of Noble Goat Dairy Parlor 16% per day- split in 2 feedings, along with alfalfa pellets, and a top dress of Flax seed. They also have daily pasture, grass hay, and clover hay.

Today Diva is 193 days old, or 6 months. Her Calculated weight is 50 pounds.

Her Cohort/ Pen-mate Dixie is 234 days old, just shy of 8 months, and 78.4 pounds.

7 Comments

Sharon

10/17/2013 02:34:25 am

This is very important that you are tracking the growth and health of this goat, as I cannot find evidence of anyone else who has done this. It is quite possible that many goats with a double copy of this recessive gene never show symptoms. There are many factors that effect how genes are expressed and they are poorly understood. The research that led to the identification of the G6S gene was done before results of the Human Genome Project crushed the one gene-one enzyme theory. That research was also done for the benefit of humans, not goats, so hence the lack of follow-up on whether or not goats with the genotype labeled "affected" always show an affected phenotype (ie. consistent observable characteristics.)

dan

10/18/2013 05:31:51 am

@Sharon, What evidence do you have that suggests it "quite possible" that affected genotypes may not always show symptoms? I've not heard of any reason why this would be the case. Other than the rare affected animal living to 2-3 years of age, but ultimately being extremely unthrifty. A number of animals fail to thrive from the get-go, but some only fail later. As described, later failure usually comes when reproductive demands/stresses begin (buck kids entering rut for the first time, and doe kids beginning to cycle).

If this doe does not exhibit symptoms despite an affected genotype, I might suggest retesting to eliminate laboratory error or a false positive test.

Sharon

10/18/2013 08:08:39 am

The reasons are right there in my comment: sentences 3, 4, and 5. What evidence do you have that "affected" genotypes always show symptoms? That is exactly what is needed if all Nubian breeders are going to be convinced to invest thousands of dollars in this test. Why can't someone compile the data of what is known about all goats that have ever been identified by this test as "affected"?

dan

10/18/2013 11:47:53 am

Nobody has yet shown an affected without symptoms. You could hypothesize about a lot of things, but there should some evidence to support it, otherwise it's just a wild guess.

There's too much guessing and not enough facts in the G6S discussion. Read the NT archives and you'll discover: G6S carriers milk more. G6S carriers are hardier. G6S carriers are better show goats. G6S carriers are identifiable by behavior. "Facts" that only serve to muddy what we do know. To claim that affecteds might not really be affected? That's a bold claim with zero support.

dan

10/18/2013 11:48:04 am

Julie- the head goat wrangler.

10/18/2013 12:24:04 pm

Hey all, Thank you for the comments and lively discussion. Diva's life here will be an interesting project. If she does live to 2 years old, we will consider retesting her. We believe at this point the test is valid.

Dan- it is true it's been hypothesized that the higher producing milk lines are in some way been passed with G6S. But not always is a Carrier a better milker, or hardier. The theory as I have read it, is that G6S being closely tied to the better production is more a result of line breeding and concentrating genetics. To my knowledge there is no direct genetic connection between G6S and milk production or vitality. Simply coincidence. The entire Sim M Galaxy herd was G6S normal, and consistently produced top ten milkers.

Diva's mother is fair to middling in milk production, and dried up quickly, within 6 months of freshening. This is her first freshening. She does not have admirable structure for a show goat, although she is from show lines. I am curious to see how she turns out this January with a new set of kids.

dan

10/18/2013 11:13:18 pm

Exactly my point. People put forth hypotheses all the time about G6S based on their limited observations. G6S may be concentrated in some lines that may be very milky or showy lines, and there may be a correlation, but that does not indicate a causative relationship.

What evidence is there that an asymptomatic genotypically affected may exists? To date, I don't believe there is any.

Your doe does still appear normal in appearance, she did stretch out between 2 and 4/6 months, but that's a typical pattern of growth. Continue to take pictures of her so you can compare, it is easy to not see the day-to-day changes as they'll be gradual.

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I am Julie. I consider myself the "Head Goat Wrangler" here at the farm. Joe calls the Goat herd "My Project", so I get to make 90% of all the decisions involving breeding, feeding and long term care for these beautiful animals.

Looking back- Diva's first 6 months.

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