Abstract
The study was carried out using body weights at several ages of Red Chittagong cattle performed on two management systems viz in-farm and in-field. There were a total of 208 animals whose body weights were recorded from 2005 to 2013. The overall average weight at birth (BW), 3-month (3MWT), 6-month (6MWT), 9-month (9MWT), 12-month (12MWT), 15-month (15MWT), 18-month (18MWT), 21-month (21MWT), 24-month (24MWT), 27-month (27MWT), 30-month (30MWT) and 33-month (33MWT) were 15.4 ± 0.15, 30.5 ± 0.75, 43.1 ± 1.03,54.6 ± 1.77,65.7 ± 2.34,70.7 ± 2.72,86.7 ± 4.33,92.1 ± 3.71,105.2 ± 4.43,114.5 ± 5.04,122.8 ± 4.71 and 101.8 ± 12.16 kg, respectively in farm condition while corresponding values field condition were 14.7 ± 0.24, 31.1 ± 0.53, 41.9 ± 0.78, 52.2 ± 0.98, 60.99 ± 1.12, 70.6 ± 1.66, 79.5 ± 2.04,89.2 ± 2.61, 102.1 ± 4.01,112.3 ± 3.81, 128.4 ± 5.63 and 100.7 ± 21.53 kg respectively. The effect of different non genetics factors such as management system, sex, parity of dam, season of birth and year of birth were estimated on body weight. Linear growth curves from birth to 33 months of age of RCC on two management systems showed an increasing trend in body weight from birth to 30 months of age with highest body weight attained at 30 months of age and afterwards showed a gradual declining trend. The results indicated that RCC has almost similar body weight and growth performance in farm and field conditions meaning their equal suitability in both management systems.
Highlights
The Red Chittagong cattle (RCC) is a valuable Indigenous bovine genetic resource of Bangladesh with many attributes better than other available indigenous types
The results indicated that RCC has almost similar body weight and growth performance in farm and field conditions meaning their equal suitability in both management systems
Long term research work conducted at the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh aiming at conservation and improvement of RCC is being carried out since 2004 where data have been generated on Red Chittagong cattle maintained and performed on two management systems viz: (i) improved management system where RCCs were maintained at the Nucleus Herd at BAU, Mymensingh and (ii) low input management system where RCCs were maintained at farmers’ houses in rural village of Char Jailkhana, Mymensingh Sadar in Mymensingh district
Summary
The Red Chittagong cattle (RCC) is a valuable Indigenous bovine genetic resource of Bangladesh with many attributes better than other available indigenous types. These cattle are readily distinguishable from others due to its distinct phenotypic features (Alam, Bhuiyan, Ali, & Mamun, 2007). The positive features of RCC lie on its ability to withstand extreme tropical climates and to survive on low quality feed during periods of feed shortage. They are reputed to give birth every year, lower calf mortality can give birth of to 8-10 calves in life time, attain sexual maturity earlier, suitable for tillage operation and traction, swift in. This study was performed to evaluate the body weights of RCC at several ages both on-station and on-field and to compare their growth curves in the said management systems
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