Physical, Metabolic, and Microbial Rumen Development in Goat Kids: A Review on the Challenges and Strategies of Early Weaning

Simple Summary The rumen development process that includes the physical, metabolic, and microbial development from birth to postweaning stage in goat kids was reviewed. Moreover, the role of different rearing systems on rumen development was extensively elaborated, especially those related to early weaning strategies. This review emphasized strong structural and functional changes related to rumen development in newborn goats, which often occurs at weaning. The digestive system of newborn ruminant functions is similar to monogastric animals, and therefore milk flows into the abomasum instead of rumen for digestion. The rumen undergoes tremendous changes over time in terms of structure, function, and microbiome. These changes contribute to the smooth transition from the dependence on liquid diets to solid diets. Goat kids are usually separated at early ages from their dams in commercial intensive systems. The separation from dams minimizes the transfer of microbiota from dams to newborns. In this review, understanding how weaning times and methodologies could affect the normal development and growth of newborn goats may facilitate the development of new feeding strategies to control stress in further studies.

Automated summary

This review examined the development of the rumen in goat kids from birth to the post-weaning stage, including its physical, metabolic, and microbial development. The influence of different rearing systems, particularly early weaning strategies, on rumen development was extensively discussed. The review highlighted the significant structural and functional changes that occur in the rumen of newborn goats, typically at the weaning stage. Understanding the impact of weaning times and methodologies on the normal development and growth of newborn goats could aid in the development of new feeding strategies to manage stress.