Study on early growth traits and correlations among them in Sirohi kids

Analysis of early growth data on 173 Sirohi kids born during 1996–97 and 1997–98 to 14 purebred Sirohi sires indicated that overall least squares’ means (LSM) for live body weights at birth, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months of age were 2.84±0.07, 6.13±0.22, 8.65±0.31, 10.71±0.33, 12,03±0.39, 13.16±0.39, 15.33±0.50 kg, respectively. The LSM for pre and post weaning gains were 87.52±3.16 and 51.35±3.01 g, respectively. Males/single born kids were significantly (P<=0.01/0.05) heavier than females/twins. The performance of all these traits during 1997–98 was comparatively better than that during 1996–97 due to restriction on concentrate supplementation (to dams of these kids) during 1996–97 as all other managemental practices were similar during both the years. The heritability estimates for these traits varied from low to medium. Genetic/phenotypic/environmental correlations among these traits were also studied.