Effect of different level of concentrate supplementation on the periparturient growth performance of Ganjam goat in extensive system

Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of concentrate supplementation to the pregnant Ganjam goats on their growth performance in periparturient period. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 pregnant Ganjam does of similar body weight, age and parity were divided into three treatment groups with 15 does in each. T1 : normal browsing at range system, T2 : normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @ 200g/day, T3 : normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @ 300g/day for 60 days before expected date of kidding. Observations regarding various growth performances were made following standard procedures. Results: Average daily concentrate feed intake for T2 was 160 g and 225 g for T3 . For the does in T1 , the body weights ranged from 34.59 ± 0.75 kg (at the beginning) to 38.29 ± 0.75 kg (after 60 days of supplementation) while for those in T2 it increased from 33.91 ± 0.70 kg to 38.71 ± 0.64 kg and for T3 itranged from 34.05 ± 0.64 to 39.55 ± 0.62 kg. The cumulative live weight gain during the period 0-60 days varied significantly among the different treatments with the lowest value in T1 (3.71 ± 0.27 kg) to highest value in T3 (5.49 ± 0.22 kg) although the initial body weights were same. The cumulative body weight gain during 0- 90 days postpartum was significantly higher in T1 (3.13 ± 0.46 kg) compared to T3 (2.10 ± 0.19 kg). Significant difference in average daily gain during prepartum period was found in all groups as 61.78 ± 4.47, 79.89 ± 2.20, 91.56 ± 3.71 for T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The average daily gain of the does during post partum period was 23.33 g (T3 ), 24.30 g (T2 ) and 34.81 g (T1 ) perdoe indicating a statistically significant difference among the treatments. Conclusion: It is concluded that on supplementation of concentrate between 160 to 225 g improved both prepartum and postpartum body condition of Ganjam goats. [Vet World 2013; 6(7.000): 428-432]