engleski

Study on birth weight and pre-weaning growth of Croatian multicolored goat kids

The aim of this research was to determine some production characteristics of Croatian multicolored goat kids (birth weight, age and body weight at weaning, and average daily gain) in extensive breeding conditions. The research included 530 goat kids from four family farms in the area of Šibenik – Knin and Zadar County. Birth weights and body weight of kids at weaning were determined by individual weighing by an electronic scale with accuracy of ± 0.05 kg. Kids were with goats from birth to weaning and they were consuming pasture and browse while consuming milk by suckling. The results of the research indicate that kids’ birth weights, their body weight at weaning and average daily gain are quite variable and under the influence of sex, type of birth and the season of kidding. After the parturition, kids weighed 2.28 kg in average, and 23.0 kg at weaning (on the 186th day). Kids were gaining daily 115.43 g in average in the period from birth to weaning, but in comparison to female kids, male kids had significantly (P<0.001) higher average daily gain (125.15 : 106.96 g) and significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight at weaning (23.46 : 22.58 kg). The lowest average daily gain (103.92 g) was determined in kids of low birth weight (< 1.50 kg), and the highest (163.04 g) in kids of higher birth weight (≥ 3.50 kg). A significant (P<0.001) influence of kidding season on birth weight and growth of kids from birth to weaning was determined.

kids; Croatian multicolored goat; birth weight; daily gain; weaning

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