Effect of supplemental feeding on performance of late pregnancy goats and pre-weaning kids and profitability
2002
Cheema, A.U. | Khan, M.Q. | Azeem, M. | Ayaz, M. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan). Animal Sciences Inst.)
Effect of supplemented feed on body weight, milk yield and composition, birth weight and subsequent growth performance of kids till weaning was evaluated on sixty hairy goats. Supplementation had no effect (P greater than 0.10) on goats weight gain and birth weight of kids. Weaning weight (average 10.6 vs 8.1 kg) and average daily weight gain (92 vs 63 g) of kids from supplemented goats was greater (P less than 0.5) than those from non- supplemented. Kid mortality (3% vs 13%) was decreased (P less than 0.5) as a result of supplemental feeding to their dams. Supplemented goats had greater milk production (P less than 0.05) than non-supplemented (average 412 vs 190 ml). Supplementation had no effect (P greater than 0.10) on milk quality (fat, protein, lactose, ash and solid contents). The net benefit of kids from dams supplemented 0.5 kg ration daily and 0.75 kg on every other day is higher than those from non-supplemented (Rs. 301 and 304 vs Rs. 245/kg), respectively. Marginal rate of return for changing from no supplementation to 0.75 kg ration on every other day is 128%. Thus supplementation increased milk yield, which resulted in higher weight gain in kids and decreased mortality, consequently higher economic return.
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