Observations of sexual behaviors in goats (Capra hircus) raised on non-professional farms

Abstract

This study focuses on monitoring the sexual behaviours of male and female goats (Capra hircus) at each stage of mounting and observing sexual reflexes and related peculiarities. The ethological behaviours of females and males were observed twice per day, between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. and between 19:00 and 21:00 p.m, and the anatomical parts of females in estrus were inspected and scanned. Each mount was recorded using a video camera. A digital timer was also used to record the stages of sexual act (prelude and copulation). The sexual behaviours of a common breed of goats reared in non-professional holdings was studied in August, September and October 2020 and 2021. Sexual behaviour was observed in a total of 24 goats, 5 males, aged 3–8 years, and 19 females, aged 1–10 years, raised in a rural area (Priponesti) in Galati County. The data gathered provide details of the sexual behavior of this species, supplementing the information currently available. The most numerous mounts were carried out by the 4-year-old buck (M1 male) with 7 out of 20, representing 35% of the total mounts observed. The mount was characterized by very high duration of courtship (average 98%) compared to the true mounting (average 2%) (p < 0.05). The postlude behavioural manifestations observed were bucks continuing to inspect the anogenital area of the female, wagging their tongues while the goats expressed a characteristic bleat.