Effect of Different Floor Types on Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Ratio of Mehsana Goat Kids

Abstract

This study was done to evaluate the effect of different floor types on growth performance and feed conversion ratio of weaned Mehsana goat kids for a period of 84 days. Twenty-seven weaned (3 months old) Mehsana goat kids having nearly identical body weights (10-12 kg) were randomly divided into three uniform groups having 9 kids (4 males and 5 females) in each group and reared on three different types of floors, viz., group A: katcha floor, B: bricks floor, and C: concrete floor. All the kids were reared under standard management system of goat rearing with strict hygiene and various parameters of production performance were recorded. Mean body weights in kids of groups A, B and C were 13.56±0.25, 13.60±0.26, and 13.87±0.27 kg, respectively. The corresponding average daily body weight gains were 35.89±2.74, 34.08±2.24, 39.23±4.10 g/day and feed conversion ratio 09.95±0.70, 08.99±0.52, 08.92±0.81, respectively. The differences among treatment groups were found non-significant for all three parameters. Incidences of disease occurrence and parasitic infestation were not noticed in kids of any group. It may be concluded that provision of different floor types, viz., katcha, bricks and concrete had no significant effect on growth performance, feed conversion ratio, disease incidence and parasitic infestation in the Mehsana kids. Further, from the study it may be inferred that economically weaker farmers may rear their kids on katcha floor with strict hygiene and attain the growth rate at par with other flooring systems.