Effect of Area Specific Mineral Supplementation on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Female Black Bengal Goats

Abstract

To find out the effect of area specific mineral supplementation (ASMS), 24 female Black Bengal goatling were divided into four groups (Gr.I, II, III and IV) which were supplemented with 0, 1, 2% deficient minerals and 2% commercial mineral mixture, respectively. Body weight (BW) was recorded in specific time span. Study revealed that final body weight as well as average daily gain (ADG) in three months significantly (P < 0.05) differed from control and treatment group. Among treatment groups, better body weight gain was observed in higher mineral supplemented group but was not significant. But, interestingly, the overall body condition score (BCS) differed significantly (P < 0.05) between control and treatment as well as within treatment group. Age at maturity of control and treatment groups were 222.50 +- 5.74,207.50 +- 8.92, 187.50 +- 5.12 and 192.50 +- 6.29 days, respectively and the difference was significantly varied. Mean oestrogen and progesterone level was marginally high in mineral supplemented group than control group.