This study was aimed to determine the effect of the rearing system on the establishment and development of different functional groups of microorganisms in the rumen of kid goats. Fifty kids were fed on goat milk until weaning at 45 (TR, traditional rearing system, n = 25) and 30 days of age (alternative rearing system, AR, n = 25). In addition, only AR group was offered with rumen starter from birth. Both groups consumed alfalfa hay and ground corn between 30 and 90 days of age. Five kids from each group were slaughtered at 21, 30, 45, 70 and 90 days old. It was determined the total number of ...