Estudo do crescimento de cabritos das raças Saanen, Parda Alemã e mestiços 1/2 Saanen+1/2 Parda Alemã

Twenty Saanen goats, twenty Germany Alpine and twenty crossbreed ½ Saanen + ½ Germany Alpine, were used to compare the growth of purebreed and crossbreed goats, raised in a semi-intensive system. Average weights at birth were 3.36kg for Saanen; 3.30kg for Germany Alpine and 3.36kg for crossbreed ½ Saanen + ½ Germany Alpine. Average weights at weaning at 105 days of age were 16.64; 16.62 and 16,61kg for Saanen, Germany Alpine and crossbreed ½ Saanen + ½ Germany Alpine, respectively. Average weights at slaugther at 175 days of age were 22.89kg for Saanen; 22.71kg for Germany Alpine and 22.71kg for crossbreed ½ Saanen + ½ Germany Alpine. The birth weights, at weaning and at slaugther were significant influenced (P<0.01) by the birth type and sex. Daily average weight gains until weaning were 126.48, 126.86 and 126.19g day-1 and in the post weaning period were 89.28, 87.00 and 87.14g day-1, respectively, for Saanen, Germany Alpine and crossbreed ½ Saanen + ½ Germany Alpine. High and positive correlation between birth weight and weaning weight (r = 0.815) and weight gain between birth and weaning (r = 0.827) were observed. Mortality rates observed from birth to weaning and from weaning to slaugther were, respectively, 6.9 and 2.5 % for Saanen; 7.3 and 2.6 % for Germany Alpine, and 6.2 and 3.1 % for crossbreed ½ Saanen + ½ Alpine Germany.