Body Weight Of Kids Research Articles

Procjena reproduktivne uspješnosti u koza – pregled odabranih čimbenika koji na to utječu

Dairy goats are a very successful form of livestock farming in developing countries, with functional products for human consumption, which makes their breeding attractive. Breeding efficiency is determined by successful reproductive parameters. Several parameters can be used as indicators of reproductive success, such as the number of kids born, age at first kidding, kidding interval, percentage of kids born and weaned, abortion rate, body weight of kids at birth and at weaning, and the length of the goat's reproductive life. Due to the seasonality of reproduction and multiple possibilities of controlling the sexual cycle in goats (hormonal and non-hormonal methods), it is difficult to standardise parameters that could be systematically used to detect suboptimal production, and whose improvement would increase reproductive success. Adequate housing conditions and feeding are inseparable from good breeding and productivity of animals. By meeting these measures with constant observation of reproductive success parameters, high fertility, large litters (2 kids per pregnancy) with a survival rate of 90% until weaning can be expected in goat breeding.

Study on Productive and Morpholgical traits of Goat Kids in different Ecozones of Rolpa district

Goat is a domesticated small ruminant, reared by small farmers across the country primarily for meat production. Productivity of goat is often low, which could be related to several genetic and non-genetic factors. A field study was carried out to characterize, evaluate and estimate the effect of non-genetic factors on the hill goat kids during December, 2015 to August 2016 in different eco-zones of Rolpa district, mid-west Nepal. Altogether150 goat kids were selected for this study. Morphological attributes productive performances based on field monitoring and measurements within different altitudes of Rolpa were collected. Least square analysis was performed using Harvey (1990) computer software package, and means were compared using DMRT. The mean body weight of goat kids at birth, pre-weaning, weaning at 5 months’ age were 2.62, 6.34, 10.15 and 13.87 kg respectively. Birth weight of kids significantly differed with respect to altitude(P<0.01). Coat colour (P<0.05) of does and parity (P<0.001) of dams. Similarly, kidding rates of does significantly differed (P<0.05) with respect to colour and altitude. Body weight of the kid at weaning were significantly (P<0.05)correlated to body length, heart girth and wither height. Thus, the results of this study suggest that the performance of low altitude goat flocks was better than mid and high altitude goat flocks in Rolpa district in terms of production and reproduction traits. The selection of the best performing kids for higher weight gain could be done on the basis of both birth and weaning weights. This result could be attributed to superior genotype along with better management practices adopted by the farmers in Rolpa district.

Comparison of growth and development characteristics of Hair and Damascus kids reared under extensive conditions

The present study aimed to compare the growth and the development of Hair and Damascus kids reared under extensive conditions. The body weights of Damascus goats were significantly higher than that of the Hair goats during the 360 days growth period (P < 0.05; P<0.001). Body weight was influenced by birth type only at birth and on the 360th day of the growth period, and single-birth kids had higher values than twin-born kids (P < 0.05). Exceptfor the 120th day of the growth period, the body weight of kids born in dam age group III was higher than that of kids born in the other dam age groups (P < 0.05; P < 0.01; P < 0.001). The breed effect was markedly observed after the 120th day of the growth period concerning body measurements especially chest depth, rump height, and body length. Damascus goats were significantly higher than that in the Hair goats for these traits (P < 0.001). It can be suggested that comparative studies containing the entire growth period should be conducted on other indigenous goat breeds (Angora, Honamlı, Kilis, and Norduz goat breeds) and to demonstrate the growth and development characteristics of these breeds.

Influence of non-genetic factors on body weight in Black Bengal goats maintained under field condition

Data recorded on 10,148 Black Bengal kids maintained at farmer’s herds in different districts of West Bengal from 2008 to 2019 were used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on body weight from birth to 12 months of age. The data were analysed using least squares technique. The effect of year of kidding on body weight of Black Bengal kids at different ages was significant (p&lt;0.05). Influence of season and parity of the dam had significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on body weight of kids from birth to 6 months of age. Sex of the kid significantly influenced body weight from birth to 12 months of age. Effect of types of birth on body weight at different ages up to 12 months of age of Black Bengal kids were significant (p&lt;0.05). Significantly higher body weight at birth was recorded in single born kid, followed by twin, triplets and so on.

Повышение колонизационной резистентности микрофлоры желудочно-кишечного тракта коз

The study was conducted to increase the colonization resistance of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of young goats of the Saanen breed through the use of the Extrasol preparation based on Bacillus subtilis Ch-13 (LLC Bisolbi-Inter). In the course of the study, scientific and production experience was carried out in the Samara region on 20 Saanen goats: 10 heads in the control and experimental groups. As a result of the study, it was found that the drug «Extrasol» increases the intensity of the process of energy and substance metabolism in the body of animals. The concentration of total protein in the blood serum of goats of the experimental group at 120 days of age was higher by 9,7 %, albumin by 33%, blood glucose by – 11,2 % compared with the control. The proteolytic, anti-lysozyme, anti-carnosine activity of enterococci, the ability of microorganisms to form biofilms was higher in the goats of the experimental group due to the use of the Extrasol preparation. Body weight of kids in the control group at 120 days of age was 21,32±1,79 kg, in the experimental group – 23,25±2,58 kg, which is 1,93 kg higher. The average daily gain in the experimental group was significantly higher by 0,029 kg. As a result, the administration of Extrasol as a probiotic in addition to the basic diet of young goats of the Saanen breed from 60 days to 120 days of age leads to an increase in the rate of growth and development of animals, an increase in colonization resistance and antagonistic ability of the resident microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of animals. The economic efficiency of using the Extrasol preparation is due to the possible profit from the sale of meat from young goats of the experimental group, which was higher by 70,81 rubles from each head.

Impact of insulin-like growth factor 1, immunoglobulin G and vitamin A in colostrum on growth of newborn Black Bengal goats and its crossbred.

The study aims to investigate the relationships between colostral concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and vitamin A (Vit A) and growth (body weight and average daily gain) in Black Bengal (BB) and its crossbred. The colostrum from dams (n=16) was collected at parturition to measure the concentrations of IGF-1, IgG and Vit A. The kid weight at birth (W-0), day 14 (W-14) and day 28 (W-28) were measured and the average daily gain during day 1-14 (ADG1-14) and day 14-28 (ADG14-28) were calculated. The average concentrations of IGF-1, IgG and Vit A in colostrum were 504.6±74.9ng/ml, 9.7±0.6mg/ml and 549.1±72.5µg/100g, respectively. The average body weight of kids at birth, day 14 and 28 were 1.72±0.08, 2.95±0.11 and 3.94±0.13kg respectively. Kid's breed, IGF-1, IgG and Vit A had significant positive effects on ADG14-28 while parity, litter size and sex had no effect. The growth factors that were classified into 2 classes based upon the mean values of colostral contents in all kids showed that the kids receiving the higher concentrations of IGF-1, IgG and Vit A in colostrum had higher body weight gain than those receiving the lower concentrations (92.1±7.8 vs. 59.8±5.7g/day; p=0.002, 88.3±7.8 vs. 60.3±6.1g/day; p=0.009 and 91.1±6.8 vs. 56.7±5.8g/day; p<0.001 respectively). It is concluded that IGF-1, IgG and Vit A concentrations in colostrum of dams were associated with increased kid's body weight gain at the end of first month in BB and BB crossbred goats.

Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting first parity growth, reproductive and lactation traits in Barbari goats under semi-intensive management in semi-arid region of India

Barbari is most preferred goat breed of commercial farmers in India and information on its first parity growth, reproduction and production traits are valuable for making present and future genetic progress of flock. Data for present study pertains to 2,554 kids, progeny of 227 sires and 1645 dam born during 2001 to 2019 at Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The least squares means of body weight of kids at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 1.69±0.02, 7.48±0.13, 11.45±0.21, 16.08±0.28 and 20.21±0.33 kg, respectively. Period, sex, type of birth, and weight of dam at kidding were significant sources of non-genetic variation affecting body weights. The least squares mean of weight at first conception, weight at first kidding, age at first conception, age at first kidding and first gestation period were 18.04±0.07 kg, 21.79±0.09 kg, 381.65±2.51 days, 523.23±2.52 days and 143.33±0.21 days, respectively. Period of birth was major source of variation though these traits were also significantly affected by season and type of birth. The least squares means of first lactation 90-days milk yield, 140-days milk yield, total Lactation period milk yield, first lactation Length, milk yield per day of first lactation length and milk yield per day of first kidding interval were 50.22±0.41 litre, 69.94±1.05 litre, 57.32±0.53 litre, 123.01±0.53 days, 48.91±0.35 litre and 19.39±0.22 litres, respectively. Period, season, type of kidding, age and weight of dam at kidding were significant sources of non-genetic variation affecting above lactation traits. The h2 for growth and production traits were moderate whereas low to moderate for reproductive traits except weight at first conception and kidding which have moderate h2 estimates. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among the growth traits at different ages were moderate to high (0.3 to 0.8), however decrease with distant ages. Very high genetic and phenotypic correlation estimates were obtained among lactation traits suggesting that judicious selection of animals' for any lactation traits would yield consistent genetic improvement in the other milk production traits in the flock. The economic traits which were significantly influenced by non-genetic factors with high magnitude need attention for strategic management interventions such as planned breeding of females to avoid kidding in adverse weather conditions, better attention in suckling of milk for kids born with low birth weight, hygiene of shed, adequate supplementation of concentrate ration to those kids which have less pre-weaning growth regardless of type of birth, better nutrition level to maiden goats before and after mating and extension of weaning age for triplets by 10-15 days to obtain higher post weaning weight gains, optimization of breeding weight at first mating and strategic supplementary concentrate feeding as per milk yield.

Preliminary Study on Birth Weight and Pre-weaning Growth Pattern in Crossed Boer Kids

This study was aimed to measure influence of some factors that involved in growth performance of crossed Boer kids including parity of mother, sex and litter size of kids. The data gained on body weight at birth weight (BW), 1 (Wt. 1), 2 (Wt. 2), and 3 (Wt. 3) months of age of 20 crossed Boer kids were recorded. There were two kids from does with parity 1, three kids from does with parity 2, eleven kids from does with parity 3, and four kids from parity ?4. From all kids, eleven of them are male and nine female. Kids Six kids were born as single whereas eight kids were born as twin and six kids were born as triplet. Results showed that there was a no significant different (P&gt;0.05) associated with parity of mother. For sex of kids, results show that highly significant differences (P&lt;0.01) for body weight were identified at age one, two and three months. On the other hand, there was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) for body weight of kids due to single, twin or triplet kid born effect.

A Study on Growth Performance of Weaned Kids of Sirohi Goat Fed with Different Levels of Concentrates

The present investigation was conducted a study on growth performance of weaned kids of Sirohi goat fed with different levels of concentrates for the effect of concentrate feeding on body weight gain. Twenty four kids of Sirohi breed between 3–4 months age were randomly selected on the basis of uniform body weight, age and divided into 3 groups of 8 kids each at the goat farm of S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner. Group T1 served as control supplemented with 50 g concentrate per kid per day for 3 months. Group T2 (treatment) supplemented with 50, 100 and 150 g concentrate and T3 (treatment) with 100, 150 and 200 g concentrate per head per day for 1st, 2nd and 3rd month, respectively. Other management practices were similar for each group. Fodder of khejri loom was offered ad-libitum to all groups. Body weight of kids was recorded weekly. Group T3 fed with more quantity of concentrate achieved the highest (85.77 g/day) average weekly weight gain followed by T2 (69.22 g/day) and control group T1 (61.33 g/day). Maximum average total weight gain per kid was observed in group T3 (7.72 kg) followed by T2 (6.23 kg) and least was found in T1 (5.52 kg). Thus, from above findings it can be concluded that T2 and T3 treatments showed significantly improved growth performance in Sirohi kids and higher level (T3) was relatively the best level in terms of both biological and economical returns.

Assessment of compensatory growth in sirohi kids under stall-feeding system

Twenty-four Sirohi kids (4 months-old) were randomly distributed into three groups of 8 each and fed ad libitum up to 12 months of age (Gr I), 20% and 40% of feed restriction at 5th and 6th months (Gr II) of age, respectively and 20, 40 and 60% of feed restriction (Gr III) for each of 20 days during 5th and 6th months of age followed by re-alimentation up to 12 months of age. At end of realimentation, four kids from each group were slaughtered and evaluated for carcass traits. Total DMI during entire feed restriction period in Gr I, II and III were 30.29, 19.48 and 17.07 kg, respectively. The feed restriction at 10 days intervals revealed that body weight of kids were 13.59±0.74, 12.10±0.74 and 11.67±0.74 kg in Gr I, II and III, respectively and statistically did not differ up to 40 th day of feed restriction. The growth traits of kids did not differ significantly (P>0.05) in different groups. The body weights of Gr I, Gr II and Gr III kids at 180th of re-alimentation were 26.14±0.93, 25.92±0.93 and 24.06±0.93 kg, respectively. The carcass traits of feed restricted and ad libitum fed Sirohi kids revealed non-significant difference in dressing yield and carcass weights. The feed cost per kg gain was lowest (Rs. 123.18) in Gr II kids followed by Gr III (Rs. 134.60) and Gr I (Rs. 137.13) kids. Therefore, stall-fed Sirohi kids can be maintained at 40% lower feed than ad libitum for 60 days and increase the profit from kid rearing.

Fattening performance and carcass traits of Baladi and Shami-Baladi kids.

Background and Aim:Goat is considered very important ruminant animals that are raised in Jordan; however, the production of the local breeds is low to moderate, and thus, some genetic improvement programs could have a positive effect on the performance of the local breeds. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of crossing Baladi (BB) goat with Shami.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 newly weaned goat kids (15 BB and 15Shami-Baladi [SB] kids) were evaluated for growth performance and carcass traits. The trial lasted for 77 days (7 days for adaptation and 70 days for data collection). Feed intake was measured on a daily basis; body weight of kids was measured at the beginning of the study and biweekly thereafter. At the end of the trial, kids were slaughtered to examine carcass traits.Results:Dry matter intake, initial weight, final weight, and average daily gain (ADG) were not affected by kid’s breed type. In addition, breed type of kids showed no significant effect on feed efficiency (feed:gain). Hot and cold carcass weight and dressing percentage were also not affected by kid’s breed type. Kid breed type had no significant effect on shoulder, rack, and legs percentages. However, SB kids had a higher loin cut percentage compared to BB kids. In addition, Musculus longissimus depth was higher for SB kids.Conclusion:Results of this study indicate that crossing SB goat breeds did not have a significant effect on either growth performance or carcass traits. Further studies using reciprocal cross may reveal different results.

Effect of Immediately-After-Birth Weaning on the Development of Goat Kids Born to Small Ruminant Lentivirus-Positive Dams.

Simple SummaryCaprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) is one of the most important and devastating viral diseases of small ruminants in developed countries. The disease spreads easily from one goat to another, and neither curative therapy nor preventive vaccinations exist to break the chain of infections. Hence, the only way to suppress the epidemic in a herd is to identify and cull infected goats. However, it is both costly and cruel as most of them remain apparently healthy for many months or even years, yet they constantly shed the virus. Therefore, many farmers decide to wean kids away from their infected mothers as soon as they are born and keep them in separation, feeding them on bovine or artificial colostrum and milk. Even though this approach is quite effective, it may be recommended only if it has no negative impact on kids’ development. Therefore, we conducted the study which compared the development of kids weaned immediately after birth and kids kept with mothers. We showed that early weaning did not seem to have any detrimental effect on kids’ health. On this basis, we conclude that this procedure may be an advisable alternative for those farmers who cannot afford to implement radical eradication program in their herds.A longitudinal study was carried out to investigate the influence of two different rearing systems of young kids on their development to sexual maturity. Kids born to small ruminant lentiviruses-infected (SRLV) female goats were split into two groups: the immediately-after-birth weaned group and the unweaned group. Kids’ body weight (BWT) was measured before the first consumption of colostrum, and then at the age of one week, and one, two, four, and seven months. The relationship between the rearing system and BWT at each age was investigated using mixed linear models adjusted for potential confounders. The mean BWT of kids of the immediately-after-birth weaned group was significantly lower at the age of one week, one month, and two months, and then the difference became insignificant. The mean daily body weight gain (DWG) was significantly lower in the immediately-after-birth weaned group during the whole first month of life, but then DWG in both groups became equal. Crude mortality rate did not differ significantly between groups. This study shows that weaning kids immediately after birth does not appear to have any negative impact on kids’ development except transient growth retardation, which is fully compensated until they reach sexual maturity.

Impact of the subclinical small ruminant lentivirus infection of female goats on the litter size and the birth body weight of kids

A longitudinal study was conducted in a single dairy goat herd to investigate the relationship between subclinical small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection in does and litter size (LS) or birth body weight of kids (BW). Each year kids born to seropositive and seronegative does were weighed before the first consumption of colostrum. LS and BW of each kid were recorded. BW was significantly negatively linked to LS (p = 0.006) – singletons weighed (mean ± SD) 4.20 ± 0.67 kg, twins – 3.75 ± 0.62 kg, and triplets and quadruplets – 3.38 ± 0.47 kg. Male kids were significantly heavier than female kids in twin litters (3.97 ± 0.53 kg vs. 3.52 ± 0.60 kg; p < 0.001) and triplet or quadruplet litters (3.62 ± 0.40 kg vs. 3.17 ± 0.43 kg; p < 0.001). However, BW of male and female kids from singleton litters did not differ (4.31 ± 0.71 kg vs. 4.07 ± 0.65 kg; p = 0.154). Then, two mixed models were developed to assess the relationship between LS (mixed Poisson log linear regression model) or BW (mixed linear model) and SRLV infection in the doe, controlling for potential confounders such as the effect of an individual doe, year in which the parturition took place, parity and kid’s sex. Neither LS nor BW proved to be significantly associated with SRLV infection (p = 0.788 and p = 0.214, respectively). On this basis it was concluded that LS and BW were not affected by the subclinical SRLV infection of a doe.

Performance records of autochthonous goats in central Serbia

The purpose of this study was to determine status, number and present level of productivity of autochthonous goats raised in Central Serbia on smallholder farms. Study included quality breeding animals of Balkan and Serbian white goat breed registered in Central herd book. Productivity data were collected from regular annual performance recordings at 11 smallholder farms for 145 Balkan does (2-9 years of age) and 203 kids and 83 Serbian white does (2-10 years of age) and 109 kids. Traits recorded were as follows: body weight of does, body weight of kids at birth, at the age of 30 days and at weaning, prolificacy of does and milk production. The analysis showed the average body weight of does to be 43.07 kg for Balkan does and 47.42 kg for Serbian white does. Average body weight of kids at birth, 30 days of age and weaning was 2.22 kg, 6.87 kg and 15.71 kg, respectively for Balkan breed and 3.66 kg, 7.24 kg and 14.23 kg for Serbian white breed. Prolificacy was 140% in Balkan and 131% in Serbian white does. Among dairy production traits, following results were obtained for Balkan and Serbian white goat respectively: lactation length 199 and 229 days, total milk yield 257.89 kg and 459.49 kg, milk fat content 4.03% and 3.79%, milk protein content 3.06% and 3.35%. Number of quality breeding animals registered at Central herd book in 2018, as presented in Institute for Animal Husbandry?s annual report for goats for Central Serbia in 2018, was 159 for Balkan and 138 for Serbian white goat. As these breeds represent a valuable and irreplaceable source of genetic variability, as well as very important cultural and traditional heritage and further emphasis should be on preserving and increasing their number.

Doe Productivity Index And Sperm Quality Of Senduro Goats

The purpose of this research was to examine the quality of Senduro buck and evaluate of Senduro goat doe Productivity Index doe. The first material used in this research was 155 of doe and 284 kid of Senduro goats. The method used in this research is a case study. Primary data was taken on the terms of a direct observation questionnaire was used as a tool concerning reproduction and weighing in body weight of kids of Senduro goat. The variables measured were litter size, kidding interval, mortality, and weaning weight. The second material used data Senduro male goat sperm 2 years old, were frozen. Frozen semen produced by adding glycerol at various levels. The results of the research in the Senduro subdistrict showed that the average litter size is 1.83 ± 0.69 tail, average kidding interval is 281.87±37.66 days, the percentage of mortality is 4.93% of kid, the average weaning weight is 22.14±4.19 and Senduro goat doe productivity index is 50.87±23. 43 kg/year. The addition of glycerol was significantly different (p< 0.01) on the percentage of post-thawing motility, viability, abnormalities and a total number of motile spermatozoa. The conclusion of this research is the Senduro goat doe productivity index in the Senduro subdistrict amounted to 50.87±23,43kg/year. Value Senduro goats doe productivity index can reach a maximum when the number of litter size high, kidding interval short, mortality percentage of kid pre-weaning of Senduro goat low and weaning weight high. Selection of male goats Senduro, sheep based on body size and the size of their testes according to standard ISO. The process of sperm production in the form of frozen semen meets the quality standards ISO (PTM 40 percent).

Factors affecting growth traits of Jakhrana goats in semi-arid region of India

Data on 499 Jakhrana kids, maintained at the ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Uttar Pradesh from 2005 to 2009, were analyzed to study the influence of various environmental factors on body weights at different ages in Jakhrana goats. The average body weights at birth, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days were 2.70±0.05, 3.99±0.07, 5.07±0.09, 5.94±0.12, 6.97±0.14 and 7.92±0.17 kg, respectively. The average body weights of kids at 3 (weaning) and 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 11 and 12 months of age were 8.93±0.18, 9.91±0.22, 10.56±0.26, 11.66±0.28, 12.58±0.31, 14.33±0.43, 15.39±0.50, 16.34±0.58, 17.97±0.72 and 21.89±0.71 kg, respectively. The differences in weights from birth to 45 days of age between kids born in the first parity and in later parities (ages) were significant; however, parity effect was non-significant at subsequent ages. Season of kidding had significant (P<0.05) effect on some of body weights at the preweaning, weaning and post-weaning stages. Single-born kids had distinct advantage in body weight over those born in multiple births from birth to 4 months of age. The study showed that higher body weights at different ages can be obtained by minimizing the effects of these environmental factors through better management practices.

Determining the appropriate selection index for Rayeni Cashmere goat under pasture-based production system

The aim of the present study was to identify the significance of Rayeni Cashmere goat’s socioeconomic traits so as to derive economic weights for the selection criteria that can be used easily by goat breeders. A deterministic bio-economic model was used to estimate economic value for adult bodyweight of doe (BWD), annual milk yield (MW), annual cashmere weight (CW), bodyweight of kids sold at 6.5 months (WK), and number of kids sold at 6.5 months per doe (NK). The relative importance of traits was determined on the basis of the estimated economic values, and, consequently, the most beneficial traits were applied to construct selection indices. Five selection indices with different herd sizes and buck ratios were proposed (I1–I5). The traits included in each index were as follows: BWD, MW, CW, WK and NK (I1); MW, CW, WK and NK (I2); BWD, MW, WK and NK (I3); BWD, MW and CW (I4); and BWD, CW, WK and NK (I5). Absolute economic values (US$) of BWD, MW, CW, WK and NK traits were $–0.870, $0.111, $5.660, $21.655 and $1.712 respectively. The results indicated that in all indices, the genetic and economic gains were elevated by an increased herd size and a decreased buck ratio. The maximum values of genetic and economic gains were obtained in herd size of 400 and buck ratio of 0.04. The highest genetic gain was obtained under Index 1, while the highest amount of economic gain was acquired under Index 2; however, the maximum accuracy of selection index was achieved under Index 1. The obtained results revealed that the most appropriate selection index for this breed is Index 1, which includes BWD, MW, CW, WK and NK. By applying Index 1, we could concurrently promote improvement of all traits, which highlights the potential of this index as a good promising strategy for developing selection criteria of Rayeni Cashmere goat under a pasture-based production system.

Effect of Floor Space Allowance Under Katcha Housing on Growth Performance of Post-Weaning Osmanabadi Kids in Mumbai

This experiment was conducted to find out the effect of different floor space allowance on the growth performance of Osmanabadi kids. Eighteen Osmanabadi kids between the age group of 3–4 months and body weight of 7–8 kg were randomly selected irrespective of sex. The selected kids were divided and kept into three different groups with different floor space comprising of 6 kids in each group. GroupT0 (0.8m2 floor space/kid), Group T1 (0.7m2/kid) and Group T2 (0.6m2/kid). The feeding and other management practices for all the three groups were similar. The body weight of kids at 3 and 6 months of age was 6.75, 6.86, 6.82 and 12.69, 12.44, 11.98 kg respectively in Group T0, T1 and T2. The average daily gain and average weekly gain in body weight were 70.77 ± 1.62, 66.05 ± 1.80, 61.50 ± 3.95 gm/day and 495.39 ± 11.39, 465.26 ± 11.00, 430.00 ± 14.64 gm/wk in Group T0, T1 and T2 respectively. There was significant effect of floor space on average daily gain (P<0.01), average weekly gain (P<0.01) and also on average monthly gain (P<0.05) of Osmanabadi kids. It was concluded that provision of floor space is positively correlated with the growth performance of kids

Effect ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeandLactobacillus acidophilusas Probiotics on Performance of Barbari kids

A total of 18 weaned Barbari kids were randomly assigned to three different groups, with six animals in each group. Composition of the rations was as follows; T1 (Control); Basal ration (DCP-18%, TDN-70%), T2; Basal ration + probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, 6×109 cfu/g) @ 2g/animal/day, T3; Basal ration + probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 4 × 109 cfu/g) @ 2g/animal/day. The effect of feeding two types of probiotics to Barbari kids revealed significant difference (P<0.05) on body weight of kids fed with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (T3 group) as compared to Lactobacillus acidophilus fed (T2 group) and control group (T1). The average daily body weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T3 group followed by T2 and control group. The body measurements were non-significantly higher in T2 and T3 group as compared to control group (T1). Feed efficiency ratio of group T3 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 0.13±0.00 was higher than the group T2 (Lactobacillus acidophilus) 0.09±0.00 followed by T1 (basal ration) 0.05±0.00. Average daily body weight gain in Barbari kids was more in T3 group as compared to T2 group. No significant effect on dry matter intake was observed across the groups. Higher digestibility coefficient for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract were observed in T3 group as compared to T2 and control group. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation improves daily body weight gain in Barbari kids.

Productive characteristics and body measurements of alpine goats raised under smallholder production systems in central Serbia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate present level of productivity and determine linear body traits of Alpine goats raised in Serbia on smallholder farms. Data were collected from 22 smallholder farms located in Belgrade district, with total of 330 purebred Alpine does 2-9 years of age, 145 yearling does and 476 kids. Traits measured were: body weight of does, body weight of kids at birth, 30 days of age and at weaning (90-120 days), prolificacy of mature and yearling (primiparous) does, six linear body traits of does (wither height, body length, hearth girth, chest depth, chest width, pelvic width) and milk production (milk yield, milk fat and milk protein content). The analysis showed the average body weight of does to be 54.96 kg, while the average body weight of kids at birth, 30 days of age and weaning was 2.73 kg, 8.7 kg and 18.3 kg., respectively. Prolificacy was 144% in mature and 125% in yearling does. Measurements of linear body traits were: wither height 67.87 cm, body length 71.92 cm, hearth girth 81.79 cm, chest depth 32.93, chest width 21.49 cm and pelvic width 17.63 cm. Among dairy production traits, following results were obtained: lactation length 220.73 days, total milk yield 531.66 kg, milk fat content 3.33% and milk protein content 3.16%. It was concluded that the overall productivity of Alpine goats raised under smallholder production systems in Serbia is satisfying. Giving the fact that these animals are usually kept under poor conditions, many of these productive traits are very good.