Effect of Kid Starter on Growth Performance of Sikkim Local Kids

Ten Sikkim local kids (Im, old) were randomly divided into two groups of five each. Kids of group I (4.67±0.17 kg b.wt) were allowed to suckle their mothers milk (350 ml./d) while in group II (3.50±0.78 kg b.wt.) kids were restricted from suckling mother's milk and were offered 50 g kid starter/kid/day. Kids of both groups were allowed to graze free of choice. Total live weight gain (kg) and live weight gain (g/d) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in group II (3.70±0.32 and 75.51±6.56) as compared to group I (2.03±0.17 and 41.50±3.40). During metabolism trial dry matter (DM) intake(Kg), DMI (% body wt.), DMI (g/Kg W0.75), digestible DM (DDM), digestible organic matter (DOM), digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intakes did not differ significantly between the groups. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE, and NFE were similar in both the groups. N balance also did not differ significantly between the groups. So, 50 g kid starter per day per head can meet the nutrient requirement of growing kids restricted to milk feeding.