In goats (Capra) the growth and functional development of certain parts of the multi-chambered stomach continue during the first few months after birth. The aim of this research was to clarify morphofunctional changes in the kids abomasa and rumina and live weight gain during the first 8 weeks of life. Research was performed in two parts. In the first part (P1) we used Saanen breed kids which were all kept in the same conditions and in the second part (P2) we used Saanen breed kids which were separated in two groups with different feeding diets. In P1 the stomach contents of the goat kids were collected after slaughter (on day 1, 17, 25 and 30), weighed full and empty. The gastrohromoscopical method proved that in the newborn kids the area where the abomasal pH is 3.0 and lower is about 10% of the surface of the abomasum, but in age of three weeks it is composing 80% of the mucosal surface of the abomasum. In P2 were two groups – in the first group (MMG) kids which were fed with dairy (mother) milk and lived with mothers, the second group (MRG) kids were fed with milk replacer and lived separate from mothers. The stomach contents were collected after slaughter(at day 45 and 60).We confirm that the most important age of stomach development and kids growth in postnatal period are the first 45 days. During this period the most significant differences can be observed. On day 60 there are no significant differences (p is greater than 0.05) between MMG and MRG stomach development.

Blood haematology is one of the indicators that shows if a goat (Capra hircus) kid gets a sufficient quantity of liquid, has a good supply of oxygen in the body, as well as an indication of inflammatory processes. Our aim of this research was to find out how feed additives (probiotics (Enterococcus faecium), prebiotics (Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)) and symbiotics (Enterococcus faecium+ Jerusalem artichoke)) influence on haematological parameters of kids. Research was performed in Latvia in 2014. The blood samples were analyzed for leucocytes (WBC), erythrocyte number (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB) concentration, packed cell volume (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations (MCHC). Since the blood indicators have not significantly changed in all examination times, we analyzed the results of the age of 4, 8 and 12 weeks. HCT downward trend in blood sample MRG + PRO, MRG + PRE and MRG + SIM group of kids was observed from the fourth week up to the eighth week and then it gradually increased. The results showed that the HCT, HGB, RBC, MCHC and WBC number was comparable (p is greater than 0.05) between groups. Our results prove that the use of Jerusalem artichoke powder as an additive to food not only improves digestion and metabolism of ruminant, but also helps to maintain constant haematological values. In the control group and the kids who received probiotics, prebiotics or symbiotics - significant differences are evident in all haematological parameters (p is less than 0.05) at the age of 12 weeks.