香蕉茎叶与柱花草混贮饲料的品质

为分析香蕉(Musa paradisiaca)茎叶与柱花草(Stylosanthes guianensis)混合青贮发酵品质,本研究选择新鲜香蕉茎叶和柱花草进行香蕉茎叶单独青贮(以下简称单贮)、柱花草单贮、75%香蕉茎叶+25%柱花草混合青贮(以下简称混贮)及50%香蕉茎叶+50%柱花草混贮,青贮5周后,对青贮饲料进行感官评定和品质检测,探讨香蕉茎叶与柱花草的适宜混合比例。感官评定结果表明,香蕉茎叶单贮感官评定最优,柱花草单贮感官评分等级最低,二者混贮评分居中,并且随着香蕉茎叶比例的降低青贮饲料感官品质下降。实验室指标分析表明,香蕉茎叶单贮时pH值最低,随着柱花草比例的增加,青贮饲料pH升高(P0.01),而乳酸菌菌落数增加(P0.05);柱花草单贮,乙酸含量最低,乳酸和丁酸含量各处理组间差异不显著(P0.05),且丁酸含量很低,对青贮品质影响不大;75%香蕉茎叶与25%柱花草混贮提高了青贮饲料乳酸菌菌落数和乳酸、乙酸的含量。随着柱花草比例的增加,混贮饲料初水分含量降低,粗纤维和粗蛋白的含量显著上升(P0.05),可溶性碳水化合物含量下降(P0.05)。综合青贮饲料品质感官评定和实验室检测结果,香蕉茎叶与柱花草混贮可降低香蕉茎叶初水分含量,提高柱花草可溶性碳水化合物水平,改善青贮饲料的发酵品质,当75%香蕉茎叶与25%柱花草混贮时,青贮效果最佳。     

Craniofacial skeletal abnormalities in anomalous calves with clefts of the face

Thirteen anomalous calves with clefts of the face were morphologically examined, and craniofacial skeletons were studied in detail. According to the type and site of the cleft, four groups could be distinguished: median cleft lip and jaw (CLJ); median cleft lip, jaw, and palate (CLJP); lateral CLJ; and cleft palate (CP), including unilateral and bilateral type. Craniofacial skeletal abnormalities were observed in several bones at the roof, wall, and floor of the nasal cavity and at the boundary portion between the nasal and cranial cavities. Fissure formation at the cranial sutures, partial absence of the nasal process of the incisive bone, and opening of the bony palate were characteristic changes in median CLJ and CLJP, lateral CLJ, and CP, respectively. Furthermore, various associated changes were recognized in the median and paramedian skeletal elements of the face and other organs. The morphological changes of craniofacial skeletons with various types of clefts of the face depended on the site and degree of the cleft formation and reflected developmental errors of the facial embryonic segments. These changes would suggest disorders of the correlated development of facial processes and of other fetal organs of the face. For these conditions, etiologically hereditary cases were negative.     

二狼山白山羊遗传性甲状腺肿发病机理及诊断研究——Ⅰ.测交试验及甲状腺组织中T_3、T_4的免疫组化定位定量研究

内蒙古二狼山白山羊遗传性甲状腺肿杂合子的测交试验,以及其纯合子甲状腺组织中T_3、T_4免疫组化定量、半定量和定位分析结果表明,本病属常染色体单基因隐性遗传病;其纯合子羔羊甲状腺明显肿大(P<0.01),甲状腺组织高度增生,T_3、T_4含量明显降低(P<0.01);T_3、T_4主要定位于滤泡腔胶质和滤泡上皮细胞滤泡腔缘的胞浆中,且着色强弱不一.T_3、T_4的半定量与定量分析之间呈密切的直线相关关系.讨论了二狼山白山羊甲状腺肿大的原因、结果,以及T_3、T_4的定位与甲状腺上皮细胞功能的关系.     

Elektronenoptische Untersuchungen über Transsudationsvorgänge zwischen Blut- und Lymphkapillaren im Lymphobulbus des Kopulationsorganes beim Haushahn (Gallus domesticus)

Electronmicroscopical studies of transudation between blood capillaries and lymph capillaries in the lymphobulbus of the phallus of the cockerel (Gallus domesticus) The blood capillaries of the lymphobulbus cloacae may be divided into circulatory and transudation capillaries and may be distinguished from one another and from the lymph capillaries by ten criteria. The specific structure of the wall of these capillaries permits transudation of lymph from the blood-vascular to the lymphatic system. The lymph passes through the pores and fenestrae of the transudation capillaries into the interstitium and from here by two routes into the lymphobulbus. One route is intracellular-vesicular, and the other is intercellular (between the endothelial cells of the lymph capillaries). The contraction of the striated M. sphincter cloacae during erection of the phallus presses the lymph through the ductus lymphaticus bulbospongiosus cloacae into the corpus cavernosum of the phallus. There is a relationship between the structure and functional stages of the lymphobulbus and age, and between the former and the levels of the steroid sex hormones.     

Neck and shoulder motion of the gallop stride

The motion patterns of the neck and shoulders during the gallop stride were documented using high-speed cinematography. The gallop stride characteristics of 4 Quarter Horse fillies, approximately 30 months of age, were used as a model. Horses were housed and fed together and received the same amount and type of limited training; and were all ridden with the same tack and by the same person. Both sides of each horse were filmed simultaneously (243 frames/sec) while galloping individually along a 1.5-m-wide track. Kinematic variables describing 29 strides (mean velocity 13.1 m/sec, stride frequency 2.6 strides/sec, stride length 5.1 m) included linear and temporal measurements of the maximum and minimum heights of the wing of the atlas, spine of the scapula, shoulder joint and elbow joint; maximum and minimum angles with respect to the horizon of the neck, shoulder and arm segments; and maximum and minimum relative angles between the neck and shoulder, and shoulder and arm segments. Differences (P<.05) between the leading and trailing sides of the body were identified for 12 of a total of 27 spatial measurements reported for the neck, shoulder and arm, including minimum height of the scapula spine, maximum height of the scapula spine and elbow joint, maximum absolute angle of the shoulder segment, and minimum angle between neck and shoulder segments. Of 18 temporal measurements reported involving the neck, shoulder and arm, 14 differed (P<.05) between leading and trailing sides. Kinematic events describing the motion of the leading and trailing shoulder and arm segments were ordered and tabulated in the temporal sequence of the normal gallop stride. Results indicated that the motion patterns of the shoulder and arm segments were highly specific to the leading and trailing sides of the body in the equine gallop stride. The work required for vertical displacement of the center of mass in galloping was estimated to be approximately 98,500 J/km or 23.5 kcal/km; equivalent to approximately 6 percent of the total energy expenditure for galloping 1 km.     

Histology and Ultrastructure of the Urothelium Lining the Ureter and the Renal Pelvis in Sows

The histology and ultrastructure of the urothelium lining the ureter and renal pelvis in sows was examined using light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The epithelium of both the ureter and the renal pelvis were similar and consisted of the basal, the intermediate and the superficial cells. The luminal surface of the superficial cells was characterized by microplicae. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the luminal membrane of these cells showed trilaminar asymmetric unit membrane. Tight junctions linked the lateral parts of the superficial cells, while the intermediate and the basal cells were connected to each other and the basal cells with the basal membrane through desmosomes and hemidesmosomes, respectively. Clusters of mitochondria were observed throughout the urothelium. Unlike that of the basal cells, the Golgi complex and the endoplasmic reticulum were well developed in the superficial and intermediate cells. Lysosomes and vesicles were observed only in the superficial and the intermediate cells. Fine cytoplasmic filaments, although very few in the basal cells, were observed throughout the epithelium. The results are compared and discussed with the findings reported on the urotherlium of other mammalian species and humans.     

Lymphocytes and T lymphocyte subsets are regionally distributed in the female goat reproductive tract: influence of the stage of the oestrous cycle

The reproductive tract of the female is a part of the mucosal system which protects from pathogens invasion. We have analysed the presence and distribution of total lymphocytes, plasma cells (antibody secreting B cells) and T lymphocytes subsets in the reproductive tract of the female goat. The influence of the oestrous cycle on the densities of lymphocytes and plasma cells of the cervix and uterus horn was evaluated in sections prepared for conventional histology. Immunocytochemistry was used for the study of lymphocyte subsets by confocal microscopy and immunoperoxidase techniques. Present results show that the reproductive tract of the goat is a site rich in lymphocytes. These cells were found mingled with the epithelial cells of the endometrium and distributed throughout the stroma. Lymphocyte aggregates were observed in the stroma. Lymphocyte but not plasma cell number changed depending on the reproductive stage of the goats. The impact of the hormonal environment was different for the cervix and uterine horn. Immunocytochemistry studies evidenced the presence of cells displaying immunoreactivity for both CD 4+ and CD 8+ antibodies in the epithelial layer and stroma of the cervix and uterine horn. These cells were more numerous in the cervix and were also found infiltrating the luminal epithelia of endometrial glands. Overall, our results indicate that lymphocyte distribution is different in the cervix and the horn, and is influenced by the stage of the reproductive cycle. In summary, CD 4+ and CD 8+ T lymphocytes subsets could be found in the endometrium of both the cervix and uterine horn of the goat reproductive tract.     

Development of the activities of pancreatic and caecal enzymes in White Roman goslings

1. This study was to investigate the development of the activities of pancreatic and caecal enzymes in White Roman goslings from hatching to 28 d of age. 2. A total of 80 1-d-old goslings were used. At hatching, 3 and 7 d of age, 16 goslings (8 males and 8 females) were used. At 11, 14, 21 and 28 d of age, 8 goslings, 4 males and 4 females were selected. The activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin in each segment of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) and their contents and the activity of cellulase in the caecal contents were measured. 3. The specific activity (SA) of amylase in the duodenal mucosa and contents increased significantly both from 11 to 14 and 14 to 21 d of age and declined after 28 d of age. In the jejunum and ileum, there was a significant peak in the SA of amylase in the mucosa in goslings from 7 to 21 d of age. On average, the SA of lipase of mucosa and content in the small intestine was initially low but gradually increased from 14 to 21 and from 21 to 28 d of age. 4. The SA of trypsin in the contents of the duodenum and the jejunum increased both from 7 to 11 and 11 to 14 d of age and there was high activity in the ileal contents from 14 to 21 d of age. From 3 to 14 d of age, the SA of chymotrypsin in the duodenal mucosa significantly increased and peaked. There was a significant peak at 11 d of age in the SA of chymotrypsin in the duodenal or jejunal contents and in the ileal contents at 7 d. The SA of cellulase in the caecal contents increased linearly with age, reaching a plateau at 28 d of age. 5. The rate of activity development varied from hatching to 28 d of age. However, the mean SA of amylase and lipase of intestinal contents reached a peak at 21 d, trypsin and chymotrypsin at 11 d and cellulase at 28 d of age, respectively. The quantitative changes in SA of cellulase, amylase, lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin increased by about 4-, 3-, 5-, 2- and 3-fold, respectively, in the intestinal content of goslings. Thus, development of proteases in the intestine of goslings peaked more rapidly than amylase, lipase and cellulase during the first 4 weeks.     

高寒草甸土壤团聚体碳氮磷对退化的响应及其影响因素

植物和土壤微生物是土壤团聚体黏合物和养分的重要来源,因此土壤团聚体组成及其养分库的变化可指示生态系统退化过程。本文在长江源区根据植被群落特征选取未退化、中度和严重退化高寒草甸,研究其土壤中大团聚体(>250μm)、微团聚体(55～250μm)和游离态粉粒黏粒(<55μm)含量、不同粒级团聚体碳氮磷含量及储量随草地退化的变化特征,并分析了植物和微生物活动与这些变化特征的关系。结果表明：未退化和中度退化高寒草甸土壤以微团聚体为主。退化使高寒草甸大团聚体和微团聚体碳氮含量及储量显著下降,但磷含量及储量未发生显著变化。游离态粉粒黏粒氮磷储量在严重退化高寒草甸显著增加。各团聚体碳氮含量与地上生物量和微生物量碳正相关,磷含量与微生物量碳负相关。本研究表明植物及受其影响的土壤微生物变化是造成高寒草甸退化后不同团聚体碳氮磷库变化的主要原因。     

甲壳胺对雏鸡免疫及消化系统影响的研究

选1日龄SPF雏鸡100只随机分成两组,每组50只,自7日龄试验组饲喂含有2%的甲壳胺的基础日粮,对照组饲喂基础日粮。测定了14、21、28日龄时各组试验鸡血清中NDV抗体水平及胸腺(thymus)、脾脏(spleen)和法氏囊(bursa)免疫器官指数;并连同十二指肠(duodenum)、空肠(jejunum)、回肠(ileum)、盲肠扁桃体(calcium tonsil)制作石蜡切片观察淋巴器官组织发育和肠道病理变化情况。结果表明:在14日龄时胸腺指数、脾脏指数、法氏囊指数及ND抗体水平试验组与对照组相比均无差异;在21、28日龄,胸腺指数试验组比对照组高,但差异不显著;脾脏指数、法氏囊指数及ND抗体水平试验组比对照组高且差异显著。病理切片观察发现,免疫器官的发育总体上试验组好于对照组;试验组肠道上皮细胞完整,肠绒毛发育良好。     

猪脾脏结构和功能及其免疫关键基因研究进展

脾脏作为猪最大的次级淋巴器官,含有多种免疫活性细胞和免疫因子,是先天性免疫和适应性免疫重要的应答场所,具有广泛的免疫调控功能;同时可清除衰老、损伤红细胞及过滤病原体,并在造血和储藏血细胞方面具有重要作用。这些功能与脾脏的结构密切相关,其中红髓主要作为血液滤过器,执行造血、储血和清除异物的功能;白髓是免疫的主要区域,含有多种免疫细胞,可执行特异性免疫应答调控功能;而边缘区是连接两个区室的重要桥梁,使所有细胞和抗原都能通过其进入脾脏不同部位。不同的发育和免疫关键基因是实现脾脏功能的根本,发育基因的表达保证了其结构的完整,为脾脏执行各种功能提供空间。免疫关键基因的表达确保了免疫反应进行,其中不同模式识别受体基因的表达保证了先天性免疫的吞噬和识别应答,而各种免疫细胞分泌的多种细胞因子和免疫活性物质是获得性免疫反应的基础,实现机体清除和监控抗原的生理过程。随着脾脏研究的深入,对其各种免疫细胞和免疫功能有了新的认识。作者首先阐述了脾脏组织不同区域的生物学功能;然后结合机体免疫应答机制,论述脾脏先天性和特异性免疫功能以及所需免疫细胞和免疫因子的作用与关联;最后简单介绍了脾脏胚胎期和出生后期的组织发育和免疫相关基因,总结了猪脾脏先天性免疫中重要的模式识别受体及其基因家族,为研究猪脾脏先天性免疫功能提供参考。     

海晏县沼泽草场牛羊放牧情况及同盘吸虫感染调查

为了解海晏县沼泽草场放牧牛羊及同盘吸虫感染等情况而进行了本调查,结果为：沼泽草场放牧户占到全县总放牧户数的9.27%,放牧牛羊分别占到全县牛羊总数的10.93%和12.65%。77.78%的沼泽草场放牧户牛羊感染同盘吸虫,而牛群和羊群同盘吸虫感染率分别达到了59.26%和48.15%;牛羊群体混合感染率40.74%;牛羊个体同盘吸虫感染率分别为14.83%和17.04%。结果还表明专业技术人员等对同盘吸虫病了解不足,区域间感染率差别较大,牛羊感染率有上升的趋势,证明现在使用的驱除药物对同盘吸虫虫卵阳性率降低很不理想,今后对本病的预防知识普及宣传及技术培训、驱除药物研制和筛选、湿地椎实螺的防治十分迫切。     

学术期刊目次页探微

目次页作为学术期刊的重要组成部分,有着索引、摘录、复印的实用功能和展示学术期刊个性、特色的审美功能。其编排存在版头、期刊基本参数等漏项,位置、页码等不规范的错误,细则操作中更有种种被忽视的问题。栏目及文题排序也是目次页的应有之义。这些都需要编辑人员认真细致的工作,实现目次页标准化与个性化的统一。     

储存环境对鸡蛋壳表面3种沙门氏菌存活与迁移的影响

为探明不同储存环境对蛋壳表面沙门氏菌存活和向蛋内迁移的影响,在鸡蛋壳表面人工接种肠炎沙门氏菌、鼠伤寒沙门氏菌和鸡白痢沙门氏菌,试验环境设定温度4、25和37℃,环境相对湿度（RH）设定为50%和90%,在不同的储存环境下,各个时间点检测蛋壳表面沙门氏菌数量与蛋内容物中沙门氏菌污染情况。结果显示,4℃环境下可显著减少蛋壳表面3种沙门氏菌的数量;50% RH、25和37℃环境下蛋壳表面3种沙门氏菌的数量均逐渐下降;90% RH、25℃环境下蛋壳表面肠炎沙门氏菌、鼠伤寒沙门氏菌在个别时间点出现数量反弹,其总体数量呈现下降趋势,37℃环境下鸡白痢沙门氏菌的数量快速下降,而肠炎沙门氏菌和鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的数量先下降后上升,并保持在接种的数量级水平。鸡蛋内容物的检测结果显示,肠炎沙门氏菌和鼠伤寒沙门氏菌在高温、高湿环境下更易被检出,而鸡白痢沙门氏菌始终未被检出。综上所述,低温、低湿可减少蛋壳表面沙门氏菌存活,并阻止其菌体向蛋内迁移,高温、高湿环境促进蛋壳表面沙门氏菌的增殖,增加了其向蛋内迁移的几率,不同血清型沙门氏菌在鸡蛋壳表面的存活和向蛋内迁移的侵袭力存在一定差异。     

加强学报管理 提高学报质量──纪念《畜牧兽医学报》创刊40周年

《畜牧兽医学报》已走过４０年的里程，１９５６年创刊，由中国畜牧兽医学会主办，４０年来征集全国本学科最新研究成果选编优秀论文报告，对本学科的迅速发展作出了很大努力，起到了积极推动作用，特别是近１０年来不断采取新措施，学报质量不断提高，由季刊改为双月刊，７２页改为９６页，曾多次获得奖励。在已获得的可喜成绩基础上，再接再厉，提高编印质量，为宏扬我国畜牧兽医科学技术作出更大贡献。     

Joint research on the precise determination of the energy and protein requirements of fattening pigs. 2. Energy and nitrogen metabolism of fattening hybrids in the fattening range of 30 to 120 kg

In 3 experiments a total of 242 total metabolism experiments with ad libitum feeding (experiment 1), 75% (experiment 2) and 62% (experiment 3) of the energy level of the 1st experiment and approximately equal protein and amino acid doses in experiments 1-3 were carried out with 8 castrated male fattening hybrids each (large white X land race pig) X line 150) in the live weight range between 30 and 120 kg. On average, feed intake over the whole live weight range was 2.24; 1.79 and 1.50 kg/animal and day, the corresponding daily live weight gain was 729, 533 and 396 g. With regard to the digestibility of the energy and the nutrients and the metabolisable energy in % of the gross energy there was no relation to the development of the animals. The intake of metabolisable energy per kg live weight decreased with ad libitum feeding and with the advancing development at the end of the experiment in contrast to the beginning of the experiment to 53%, energy retention to 56%. The utilisation of metabolisable energy for body energy retention, taking account of a maintenance requirement of 450 kJ/kg live weight 0,62 on the average of the 3 experiments was 68.4 +/- 1.9, 70.3 +/- 2.0 and 64.3 +/- 2.6%. Energy retention in experiments 1 to 3 amounted to 8.6, 6.8 and 5.3 MJ at the beginning and to 18.1, 12.2 and 8.0 MJ per animal and day at the end of the experiment. Protein energy retention of the pigs (live weight 40 kg) was 26% of the total energy retention in experiments 1 and 2 and 49% in experiment 3. In experiments 1 and 3 protein retention decreased to 15% of the total energy retention, in experiment 2 protein retention remained constantly at 22% between 60 and 110 kg live weight and then decreased to 18%. Consequently, the N-balances were 23-16 g, 16-20 g and 16-9 g/animal and day. The chemical composition of the carcasses was strongly influenced by the level of nutrition. At the beginning of the experiment the protein content averaged between 49 and 57% and the total fat content between 31 and 38% of the dry matter. At the end of the experiment the carcasses of the animals from experiments 1-3 had crude protein contents of 28, 33 and 42% and total fat contents of 66, 61 and 50% of the dry matter.     

粪污资源化利用对生猪产业影响的经济视角分析

为了解粪污资源化利用对生猪产业的影响及粪污资源化利用中存在的问题,本文对河南、广东、浙江与吉林4省大型生猪养殖企业进行了调研。结果表明:粪污资源化利用对生猪产业区域布局、养殖成本、养殖规模与产销对接方式均会产生影响,具体表现为区域内布局逐步优化,区域间"南猪北养西进";养殖成本适度增加;大中型养殖企业占比增加以及家庭牧场涌现;跨区域冷鲜肉调运部分替代活猪和热鲜肉调运。建议政府加大对生猪粪污资源化利用的政策支持,积极培育有机肥市场,对养殖企业、社会专业治理企业、种植主体等多方进行引导,促进粪污-有机肥生产-有机肥消纳产业链条的良性运转。     

The influence of land transport on animal welfare in extensive farming systems

The land transport of animals can have 3 types of influence on their welfare. First, the handling, loading, and novelty of the transport environment and experience can induce a psychological stress response in animals. Second, the withdrawal of feed and water and the need to stand and maintain balance for transport periods can cause a physiological and fatigue challenge to the animals. Finally, the thermal and physical conditions of the vehicle and journey can present a risk to the physical integrity of the transported animals.The key determinant of animal welfare is the way in which transport is conducted. The stress response during loading and the initial stages of transport may be minimized by careful handling, good design of facilities, and appropriate stocking densities and driving techniques. Where animals are not fed and watered during land transport, they vary in their ability to cope with periods of feed and water withdrawal, depending on their species, age, physiological state, and pre-transport access to feed and water. Journey conditions can also be an influence, with cold conditions exacerbating the effects of feed withdrawal and hot conditions increasing the risk of dehydration. The facilities containing the animals on the vehicle should minimize the risks of physical injury caused by falls, knocks, bruising, and the protrusion of body parts. Stocking density can also be managed to lessen the influences on animal welfare caused by hot conditions. In a well-ventilated vehicle, it is the stationary periods rather than periods in motion that present the greatest risk of heat stress. The opposite is true for very cold conditions. The land transport of livestock is neither inherently good nor inherently bad for their welfare. Rather, it is the way that it is done, and the management of the risks involved, that determine the level of welfare of the animals involved.     

Expression of the PACAP‐immunoreactivity in the Lymphoid Organs of the Duck

Introduction: The interactions occurring between nervous and immune systems are well documented. These interactions involve several types of chemical messengers including hormones, cytokines, classic neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. It has been observed that the lymphoid organs receive a dense peptidergic innervation and immune cells produce neuropeptides. Neuropeptides, in turn, are involved in the regulation of the inflammatory processes and in the maturation of the lymphoid organs. Several studies have demonstrated that the immunomodulatory neuropeptides and their receptors are expressed in the thymus and bursa of fabricius. PACAP is a glucagon/VIP/secretin family peptide. It was originally isolated from the ovine hypothalamus and then it was found in the autonomic nervous system. PACAP is involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary function, neurotransmission and neuromodulation. In the immune system, PACAP is expressed in lymphoid tissues of the rat and in the lymphocytes of the duck GALT. PACAP, therefore, could be a messenger of the dialogue between nervous and immune system. It may have a role in the regulation of the inflammatory processes by stimulating histamine and serotonin and modulating the production of the cytokines in immune cells. Methods: Immunohistochemistry on paraffin‐embedded sections of thymus and bursa of fabricius of the duck of different ages by using an antibody anti‐PACAP38. Results and Discussion: In the thymus, PACAP‐immunoreactivity was found in lymphoid cells and, with a lesser extent, in epithelial reticular cells. The immunoreactive lymphocytes were primarily observed in the interlobular septa in close vicinity to the interlobular veins. The number of positive lymphocytes increased with ageing. In the bursa of fabricius, PACAP‐IR was found in nerve fibres and in a few lymphoid cells. These results suggest that PACAP could play a role in the maturation and involution of these organs and in the immune functions.     

Economic contribution and viability of dairy goats: implications for a breeding programme

To augment the incomes of smallholder farmers in Kenya and consequently improve their nutrition and income, many development organisations and policy makers are increasingly promoting dairy goat farming. Among the key organisations supporting the initiative is Heifer Project International—Kenya (HPIK). However, the economic contribution and viability of dairy goats under the HPIK project have not been studied so far. The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of dairy goats to household income and the performance of the dairy goat enterprise using gross and net margins from dairy goat farming as an indicator of economic viability. A survey covering 71 farmers was carried out in the Coast, Nyanza, and the Rift Valley provinces of Kenya using a set of pre-tested structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Results showed that, on average, the dairy goat enterprise contributed, correspondingly, about 15.2% and 4.8% to the total livestock and overall household income and was viable. Differences in gross and net margins across agroecological zones were attributed to milk prices. Despite the existence of non-viable enterprises in two of the provinces, the few present suggest the possibility of obtaining reliable incomes from the enterprise. Redoubling of effort or re-orientation of production to match the local and external requirements would, however, be necessary. Costs and revenues were similar across the agroecological zones. Farmers with positive gross margins had better milk and stock sales and vice versa. The success of a dairy goat enterprise is attributed to location and good management. Besides, farmers’ awareness of the market demands within and outside the community is important in establishing production goals and may be crucial to achieving a positive gross margin.