Comparative Assessment Of Growth Performance And Body Conformation Of Non-Descript Goat Kids Under Semi-Intensive And Intensive Management Systems

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the growth performance and body conformation of non-descript goat kids under two management systems during 2016. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Livestock Management, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. A total of eight (8) non-descript goat kids were divided into two groups, i.e., Group A (4 kids) and Group B (4 kids). Group A was maintained under a semi-intensive management system, in which the kids were allowed to graze and were provided with a concentrate mixture at the animal shed. Group B was reared under an intensive management system and was provided with chopped green fodder (berseem and maize) and concentrate at the animal shed. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks, during which data on body growth and conformation traits, including body length, height and girth, were recorded weekly. The collected data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that the average body weight of kids in Group A (14.56 kg) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of kids in Group B (12.69 kg). Similarly, the average body conformation measurements, including body length, height and girth, were 49.51, 49.81 and 49.95 cm, respectively, in Group A, and were significantly higher than those recorded in Group B (47.87, 48.92 and 48.44 cm, respectively). Economic analysis further revealed that kids maintained under the semi-intensive management system were more economical, with a cost of Rs. 361 per kid compared with Rs. 214 per kid under the intensive management system. It was concluded that goat kids maintained under the semi-intensive management system (Group A) showed better performance in terms of body weight and conformation traits and were comparatively more economical.