Performance of different breeds of goats under semi-intensive system in eastern Himalayas

Abstract

A study was conducted to compare the performance of Sirohi and Jakhrana goats and their adaptability compared to native Assam Hill goats in eastern Himalayas. The overall least squares means for body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 2.53±0.03, 9.25±0.42, 16.35±0.14, 19.73±0.42 and 24.65±0.25 kg in Sirohi goats, 2.31±0.07, 8.23±0.35, 13.49±1.14, 17.52±0.66 and 22.89±0.87 kg in Jakhrana goats and 1.82±0.31, 6.78±0.28, 9.85±0.43, 12.61±0.62 and 15.85±0.23 kg in Assam Hill goats, respectively. The age at first kidding was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Assam Hill goats (417.00±0.03 days) than Sirohi (684.61±0.75 days) and Jakhrana (568.25±0.03 days) goats. Similarly, the kidding interval was significantly (p<0.05) shorter in Assam Hill (267.00±0.61 days) as compared to Sirohi (370.61±0.38 days) and Jakhrana (311.16±0.15 days) goats. The results indicated that Sirohi breed performed better in comparison to Jakhrana in eastern Himalaya in terms of body weight at different ages. However, Assam Hill goat being a native breed performed better than both the breeds in reproductive performance as evident by earlier age at first kidding, shorter kidding interval and higher twins and triplets.