Some production parameters of four breeds of goats reared in Trinidad and Tobago
1986
Harricharan, H. | Lauckner, F.B. | Ramlal, H. (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, St. Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago))
Data on some production parameters were collected from four breeds of goats reared intensively on the Government Farm, St. Joseph, Trinidad. All animals were raised indoors. Kids were weaned from their dams within 24 hours of birth, followed by bucket-feeding of whole goats' milk up to 12 weeks of age. In addition, the kids were fed on a commercial dairy ration and forages. The parameters determined for each breed were birth weight, weight at 12 weeks of age, sex ratios, average daily gain from birth to 12 weeks of age prolificacy, breeding efficiency and mortality rates. The mean birth weight of Anglo Nubian, Saanen Toggenburg, and British Alpine kids were 3.25, 2.88, 3.36 and 3.68 kg, respectively. Males weighed 3.37 kg and females 3.07 kg. The mean birth weight of singles, twins and triplets were 3.51, 3.14 and 2.90 kg, respectively. The mean weight at 12 weeks of age were 10.72, 11.47, 11.89 and 13.81 kg for Anglo Nubian, Saanen, Toggenburg and British Alpine respectively. At the same age, males weighed 12.89 kg and females 10.21 kg. The 12-week weights of singles, twins and triplets were 11.62, 11.32 and 10.90 kg, respectively. The average daily gain from birth to 12 weeks of age was 96 g. The average number of kids born per doe per litter in the herd was 1.62. British Alpine females produced the smallest litters (1.42) and Toggenburgs the largest (1.66). At 12 weeks of age, the average number of kids weaned per doe per litter was 1.06 with a range of 0.71 to 1.25 for the herd. Kid mortality for the herd over the five-year period ranged from 8 to 53 per cent. The loss of kids in the herd averaged 32 per cent over the five-year period. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that the sex ratio in the herd was not significantly different from a 1:1.
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