Thirty six Alpine male kids were divided into six groups. The first two groups received only milk replacer and were slaughtered at 16 kg (group L16) or at 22 kg (group L22), the next two groups were offered milk replacer + concentrates and slaughtered at 22 kg (group C22) or at 28 kg (group C28) and the last groups were subjected to stepwise weaning followed by feeding with maize wafers + concentrates and slaughtered at 28 kg (group M28) or at 34 kg (group M34). The daily mean gain (g/day), carcass weight (kg) and dressing percentage (%) were 209, 7.50 and 52.8 respectively for group L16; 219, 10.34 and 53.4 for group L22; 241, 9.82 and 53.9 for group C22; 208, 11.48 and 51.2 for group C28; 172, 10.31 and 51.0 for group M28; and 176, 12.86 and 52.0 for group M34. Thus, with this type of animal the daily mean gain may definitely exceed 200 g/day, but weaning significantly reduces this gain. Carcass conformation was not very favourable. As compared to lambs, kid carcasses are characterized by a very poor proportion of fat, in particular subcutaneous fat, and by a slightly lower muscle to bone ratio. The different feeding methods are discussed in relation to slaughter weight and feeding costs. The use of milk replacer only seems to be satisfactory up to a live weight of about 18 kg; thereafter, addition of concentrates to the diet is preferable. For slaughter weights above 25 kg, it is economically better to wean the kids even if the growth rate is reduced.