Kidding perfomance of arid goat breeds under different management systems

Kidding performance of Marwari and Parbatsari goats was studied under different management systems in the arid zone. One-year-old 15 Marwari and 18 Parbatsari goats were divided into three uniform groups and maintained under extensive, semi-intensive and intensive systems of management up to three lactations. Higher kidding percentage (>80%) was observed in intensive and semi-intensive systems. Average twinning percentage was observed to be 4.5, 14.8 and 25.0% in extensive, semi-intensive and intensive system of management, respectively. The effect of management system was found to be significant on body weights of goats at different physiological stages. Higher body weights of goats at breeding, kidding, 3 months and 6 months of lactation were found in intensive followed by semi-intensive and extensive groups. Parbatsari goats showed better kidding performance in respect of kidding rate, prolificacy and body weights at kidding and after kidding and during the lactation. The body weights of Parbatsari was significantly (P<0.01) higher than Marwari goats at breeding, kidding, 3 months and 6 months of lactation. The mean body weights of Marwari and Parbatsari goats irrespective of management system were 24.6 and 28.4 kg at breeding, 25.9 and 30.4 kg at kidding, 25.9 and 30.1 kg at 3 months of lactation and 21.3 and 31.3 kg at 6 months of lactation, respectively.