Growth, production and reproduction performance of berari goats in their native tract

An investigation was conducted to study the growth, production and reproduction performance of Berari goats under field conditions. The overall body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 2.41±0.03, 8.92±0.13, 15.02±0.23, 18.14±0.52 and 21.32±0.36 kg, respectively. In all the age groups, higher body weights were recorded in males than females. The average total lactation milk yield was 77.72±1.85 kg. The mean lactation length and dry period were 132.84±0.76 and 110.34±2.09 days, respectively. Fat and solid not fat (SNF) contents of Berari goat milk were 5.72±0.38 and 11.15±0.30%, respectively. The mean age at first oestrus age at first mating, age at first kidding, kidding interval, service period and gestation length in Berari goats were 292.10±1.66, 313.25±1.42, 460.74±1.56, 240.86±1.94, 91.65±2.08 and 147.26±0.17 days, respectively. Kidding pattern showed that Berari goat had 59% twinning rate. It was concluded that Berari breed has low milk yield; however milk had higher fat and SNF%. Berari goat had lower age at first oestrus, age at first mating and age at first kidding and higher litter size also, which indicated that Berari goats has early maturity with high prolificacy.