The effects of air temperature and rainfall seasonal variations on reproductive efficiency in Boer goats

The aim of our research was determinated effects of air temperature and rainfall precipitation on some reproductive performance of Boer goats in the north-western part of Croatia. Ninty does, under intensive management, between 2-7 years old were used in our research throughout 3 consecutive years. Goats have been living on the hills of Bilogora with possibility of good pasture, in the northwest part of Croatia. After kidding, does were thogether with goat kids three to four months until weaning. Air temperature and rainfall records were obtained from the nearest meteorological recording stations within 10 km. Number of mating does, kidding rate and number of goat kids were significant different according to the season. The Boer goat is breed well known for fecunditiy. Data on 304 pregnancies and 535 newborn goat kids (dead or alive) shows per year 1.98 goat kids and per doe. Number of kidding was depended of season. The most of does were given a birth in the winter (46 %) and spring (27%), only 15 % in the summer and 12 % in the autumn (throughout 3 years). Conception rate was 92.12 %( 89.47 % in the year 2003, 94.17 % 2004 and 2005 92.73 %) and prolificacy (from 2003 to 2005) 178 %. In the year 2003, with extremly warm spring, extremly warm and dry summer, conception rate is significant lower (88.33 %) then in year 2004 (91.15 %) and 2005 (91.76 %). Despite annual higher temerature and lower rainfall percipitation in year 2003, the best prolificacy was recorded (187 %), then in 2004 (177 %) and 171 % in 2005 year. There was not correlation between air temperature and rainfall percipitation and reproductive performance of Boer goats in northwestern part of Croatia.