Factors affecting growth traits of Jakhrana goats in semi-arid region of India

Data on 499 Jakhrana kids, maintained at the ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Uttar Pradesh from 2005 to 2009, were analyzed to study the influence of various environmental factors on body weights at different ages in Jakhrana goats. The average body weights at birth, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days were 2.70±0.05, 3.99±0.07, 5.07±0.09, 5.94±0.12, 6.97±0.14 and 7.92±0.17 kg, respectively. The average body weights of kids at 3 (weaning) and 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 11 and 12 months of age were 8.93±0.18, 9.91±0.22, 10.56±0.26, 11.66±0.28, 12.58±0.31, 14.33±0.43, 15.39±0.50, 16.34±0.58, 17.97±0.72 and 21.89±0.71 kg, respectively. The differences in weights from birth to 45 days of age between kids born in the first parity and in later parities (ages) were significant; however, parity effect was non-significant at subsequent ages. Season of kidding had significant (P<0.05) effect on some of body weights at the preweaning, weaning and post-weaning stages. Single-born kids had distinct advantage in body weight over those born in multiple births from birth to 4 months of age. The study showed that higher body weights at different ages can be obtained by minimizing the effects of these environmental factors through better management practices.