Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting body weight in Tellicherry goats
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Society for Animal Science
Abstract
Data on 566 Tellicherry goats, recorded between 1988 and 2007 were used to study the effect of nongenetic
factors on body weight and daily gain from birth to 12 months of age. The least-squares means for
body weight at birth and at 12 months of age were 2.17 ± 0.03 and 18.78 ± 0.44 kg, respectively. The preand
post-weaning average daily weight gains were 72.41 ± 1.68 and 37.46 ± 1.49 g, respectively, and the
associated growth efficiencies were 3.11 ± 0.08 and 1.34 ± 0.05, respectively. Significant differences
associated with the year of kidding were observed in body weight, weight gain and efficiency in weight gain
at different stages of growth. Growth rate of kids born between December and February was relatively
slower than those born in other months and this can result from seasonal changes and suggests that it is
necessary to plan the kidding season rationally by controlling the oestrus and mating time. The kids born as
twin had lower birth weight and slower early growth rate than those born as single but had a higher postweaning
growth rate. The heritabilities of different traits were moderate to high, except for birth weight,
which was of low heritability. The phenotypic and genetic correlations among the different body weights
were positive and low to high in magnitude.
Description
TNV_AS_2009_39
Keywords
Veterinary Science