Rajan, M RJithendrakumar, K BKAU2019-05-272019-05-272003http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810104714PGGoats contribute a major share of the meat produced in India so it is worthwhile to evolve and propagate meat type goats suited for the humid tropics of India particularly to Kerala state. Malabari goat has got high adaptability, crude fibre conversion efficiency and prolificacy. So breeding programs can be developed on that breed to evolve meat type. The effects of sex, type of birth, month of birth, sire and dam's body weight at kidding on birth, weight, weaning weight, weight at 180 days and body weights at fortnightly interval in 113 Malabari kids were assessed. Heritability estimates were made for body weight at different ages. Correlations were worked out on body weights, milk yield and dam's body weight at kidding. This research approach was aimed at ascertaining the feasibility of evolving a selection criteria for the development of a meat type goat. Overall means for birth weight, weaning weight and weight at 180 days were 1.79 ± 0.046, 6.48 ± 0.211 and 11.04 ± 0.322 kg respectively. Sex had a significant effect on birth weight, weaning weight, weight at 180 days, pre- weaning and post-weaning body weights. Means of birth weight, weaning weight and weight at 180 days for male kids were 1.87 ± 0.059,6.77 ± 0.267 and 11.79 ± 0.407 kg and that of females were 1.73 ± 0.046,6.19 ± 0.252 and 10.29 ± 0.384 kg respectively. Males were found to be heavier than females at all stages of growth. Birth type of kids had significant effect on birth weight and pre-weaning body weights and no significant effect was found on weaning weight, post- weaning body weights and weight at 180 days. Means body weights for single, twins, triplets were 2.03 ± 0.070, 1.83 ± 0.049 and 1.54 ± 0.096 kg at birth, 6.96 ± 0.319, 6.46 ± 0.226 and 6.01 ± 0.435 kg at weaning and 11.27 ± 0.487 kg, 10.80 ± 0.344 kg and 11.06 ± 0.664 kg at 180 days of age. Single born kids were found to be the heaviest followed by twins and triplets at birth and weaning. At 180 days of age singles were found to have higher weight, followed by triplets and twins. Singles had higher weights in pre-weaning growth followed by twins and triplets where as twins and triplets showed a compensatory growth in the post-weaning period. Month of birth had a significant effect on pre-weaning weights where as the effect was not significant on birth weight, weaning weight, post-weaning weight and weight at 180 days. Kids born in May, June, July and August had higher weights in pre-weaning growth than those born in September, October, November and January. Sire effect was found to be non significant on body weights at all ages. Heritability estimates of birth weight, weaning weight and weight at 180 days were 0.30 ± 0167, 0.35 ± 01n and 0.35 ± 0.276 respectively. Dam's body weight at kidding was found significant on body weights from 168 days only. Birth weight had significant correlation (0.534) with weaning weight. A significant correlation (O.2()5) was found between weight u\ Wl'llnillg uud IHO d:lY~. Correlations between Birth weight and weight at 180 days was not significant. A significant correlation also noticed between milk yield and the pre-weaning body weights of kids. Correlation of dam's body weight with milk yield (0.379), litter size (0.477) and litter weight (0.558) was found to be significant. Singles had higher body weight from birth to weaning followed by twins and triplets. But it was observed that there was no significant difference among kids of different type of birth in the post-weaning period. The triplets had a compensatory growth during the post-weaning period. Dam's weight at kidding influenced body weight of kids from 168 days. The present study reveals body weight of the mother is the major factor, which decides the type of birth. Higher the weight at kidding larger will be the litter size and level of production of milk. So based on the above result it is suggested that the selection to evolve the meat type of breed should be directed towards type of birth. Body weight of dam is a prime trait to be considered in selection by which the litter size, milk production of dam and body weight of kids at the age of slaughter could be improved.ennullThesis