Aspectos do manejo alimentar e sanitário de cabras leiteiras no periparto e neonatos no Semiárido Paraibano.

Abstract

In dairy goats farms in the Brazilian semiarid region the management of heifers or nolactating pregnant goats is as simple as possible.Thefailure in nutritionof these animals means reduction in the weight of the kids and in colostrum production. Kids born from mothers with inadequate nutritionare more susceptible toperinatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was toevaluate thehealth andnutritionalmanagementof neonates and goats in the peripartum in the semiarid of Paraiba. In most farms sanitary practices were inadequate, and pregnantfemalesdid not received supplementary foodat the end ofpregnancy. Similar situations were identified in the management of neonates too.Thehighest mortality rateswere observed infarms with largest number of animals.The adoption of newtechnologiesbyfarmersand changes in current practicesrequires intense technical assistance and financial resources. Results should be clearly perceptible by the farmers. The difficulties of the technicians involved with extension activities to demonstrate results is also discouraging the farmers to adopt new technologies.