LAUSR

This study was conducted to determine whether the intensity levels of the first harmonic in small ruminants, such as Boer goats, are common among siblings or are affected by the environment in which they are raised. The first harmonic of a vocalization is the lowest frequency heard from that vocalization. All sequential harmonics are based upon the first. Three pens (2.44m x 3.05m) were created to control the external sound stimuli to which the kids (n=13) were exposed to. Pen 1 (n=4; 6, 7, 8, 9) was set up adjacent to the dams to ensure adult goat vocalizations were heard. Pen 2 (n=5; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) involved a recording of a human voice played on a CD player. Pen 3 (n=4; 10, 11, 12, 13) was set up to limit external sound stimuli. Kids were placed in each pen upon birth order with the exception of one set of twins in pen 2. A set of triplets was included in the study with one sibling in each pen. Recordings were conducted using VoceVista Video software 1x/wk for 7 wk, from birth to weaning. Intensity levels of the first harmonic from each recording of each kid were compared to intensity levels of any of its siblings included in the study. One example of same sex siblings showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from each other’s first harmonic intensity levels. Siblings of opposite genders showed no difference in intensity level in the first harmonics. The results of this study indicate that the intensity levels of the first harmonic of goat kids in the first 7 wks could be a result of relatedness rather than the influence of external sound. Additionally, the development the first harmonic intensity level among siblings is independent of external sound and gender.