This study aimed to evaluate the performance and economic viability of the diet of dairy goats in different weaning periods. 24 Saanen male and female goats were distributed according to the treatments (50, 60 and 70 weaning days). Animals at birth remained with their mothers for five days to suckle colostrum, after this period, animals were given one liter goat milk twice daily until weaning. The following variables were evaluated: intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and birth weight (PD), weaning weight (PD), average daily gain (GMD) and total weight gain (GPT). The experimental design was completely randomized. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and mean values were compared by the Duncan test at 5%. Animals weaned at 70 days of age showed higher intake of all nutrients compared with 50 and 60 days. PD, GMD GPT were different between all treatments. The highest feed cost (R$900.25) was found when animals were weaned at 70 days of age, representing an increase of 49.3% and 23.8% compared with animals weaned at 50 and 60 days, respectively. The weaning at 50 days of age results in lower feed cost and greater incentive to eat solid food, enabling the producer to direct greater amounts of milk to the market.
artificial feeding; production cost; weight gain