Nematode infections in native and exotic goats from different age groups

Goat farming is a good option of job and income for northeast region of Brazil, because this activity shows excellent quality of production of meat, milk and fur, besides, goats are adapted to the ecosystem of this region. The purpose of this study was to define age composition and nematode infection in animals from native and exotic breeds of goats raised at Fazenda Faveira, Elesb?o Veloso, Piau?, Brazil. Information of 522 animals (males and females) of the following breeds was used: native - Azul (AZ), Canind? (CA), Moxot? (MO), Gra?na (GR), Marota (MA) and Repartida (RE); exotic - Anglo Nubian (AN), Boer (BO) and Alpine Brown (AB). Age of animals was evaluated through dental arcade, so that four age groups (years of age) were defined (< 1, from 1 to 1.5, >1.5 to 2, from 2.5 to 3, from 3.5 to 4, and > 4), then the FAMACHA(C) test was performed to verify degree of anemia caused by nematode infection. Statistical analyses (percentage and graphical analyses) were performed using Excel (Microsoft Office). In the composition of groups the proportion of males (M) and females (F) ranged according to the breed: AZ - 41 F and 14 M; CA - 66 F and 23 M; MO - 74 F and 36 M; RE - 33 F and 16 M; GR - 35 F and 15 M; MA - 38 F and 11 M; AB - 54 F and 20 M; AN - 16 F and 3 M; and BO - 22 F and 5 M. Most of animals from native breeds were predominant in the age groups < 1 and from 1 to 1.5, however in MA and CA the age group was > 1.5 to 2. In the Alpine Brown breed most of females was in the age group > 1.5 to 2, and males in the age group < 1. Females from AN and BO were in higher number in the age group from 2.5 to 3, while most of males from these two breeds were in age groups > 4 and < 1 years of age, respectively. Animals from native breeds predominantly presented FAMACHA(C) degree of 3, in which GR, MA and CA presented, respectively, 56%, 77% and 77% of animals in this situation. The degree of anemia for animals from Repartida breed in this study ranged from 3 to 5. In exotic breeds the FAMACHA(C) degree of 3 was predominant, however, degree of 4 was found in 53% of animals from Anglo Nubian breed. It is noteworthy that Fazenda Faveira has great productive capacity, considering its expressive number of young animals. However, it is necessary adoption of vermifugation schemes according to the level of nematode infection.