Performance of Growing Black Bengal Goats under Different Management Systems of Rearing

Abstract

Thirty female Black Bengal kids were selected randomly at the age of 2 months and divided equally into three groups with having ten kids in each group and maintained from 2 to 12 month of age under three different management systems, viz., extensive, semi-intensive and intensive systems in Tripura, a North Eastern state of India. Four phenotypic variables, hematology and biochemical profiles were done every month and data were analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Duncan's test. There was a significant (p<0.01) increase in mean (±SEM) body weight, height at withers, heart girth and body length of the goats maintained under different systems of management over the months. However, mean (±SEM) blood hemoglobin (Hb), glucose, albumin, globulin, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase level in plasma of goats under different management systems varied significantly (p<0.05) between age groups from 2nd months to 12th months of age. Except plasma glucose level, mean (±SEM) body weight, heart girth and body length of the goats under extensive system were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those for goats maintained under semi-intensive and intensive system of management. Mean (±SEM) plasma cholesterol level in goats under extensive and semi-intensive system were more (p<0.05) than that of the goats under intensive management system. Black Bengal goats reared under extensive management system showed a better performance in terms of body weight gain, body measurements and biochemical profiles as compared to the goats reared under semi-intensive and intensive management system.