The objective of the study was to characterize the daily feeding activity patterns of Saanen goats (Capra hircus) as a function of changes in climatic variables. The investigation was conducted in the municipality of Cruzeta, 300 km from the city of Natal, Brazil. Seventeen free-ranging female Saanen goats were selected for observation, wherein they were kept on a pasture with native vegetation and also received concentrated feed in a trough. Observational records of behavior on pasture were collected using focal animal and scan sampling for these specific behaviors: ruminating while standing or lying down, standing idly or lying down, walking, grazing and eating. Eating was the predominant activity observed. The frequency of some behaviors changed in accordance with certain climatic variables, with behaviors that require more active movement occurring in the morning hours, when temperatures are milder, exhibiting higher frequencies. These observations indicate that animals adjust their daily activities in order to minimize the effects of the stress caused primarily by environmental conditions.

Castrated male goats (n = 40) of the Moxotó (n = 20) and Canindé (n = 20) breeds with an average weight of 15.3 kg were studied to determine intake, nutrient digestibility and weight gain for two diets with different energy levels. The experiment utilized a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (two breeds and two diets), in which goats were randomly allocated. A diet of low energy density and a forage:concentrate ratio of 70:30 was utilized along with a diet of high energy density and a forage:concentrate ratio of 35:64. To determine the nutrient intake and digestibility, at the end of the experiment, goats were kept in metabolism cages for a period of 15 days. Weighing of the goats was conducted weekly over a period of 90 days. The goats that were fed a diet of high energy density displayed significantly increased consumption of metabolic fractions, with the exception of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, when compared with those fed a diet of low energy density. The lack of difference in dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake indicated that goats have a high digestive capacity for the diet containing a greater quantity of Maniçoba hay. Weight gain was significantly greater for those on the diet of greater energy density. Among the breeds, Canindé goats recorded the highest average consumption and weight gain. Coefficients of digestibility were significantly greater for the more energy dense diet, with no difference between breeds. Regardless of diet, the Canindé breed shows greater weight gain than the Moxotó breed.