Non-genetic sources of variation affecting average daily weight gains in Jamunapari kids

Data on 3531 Jamunapari kids progeny of 211 sires born during 1984 to 2007 at Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India were utilized to estimate the average daily weight gains (ADG) at different growth intervals. The overall least-square mean of ADG for 0–3, 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 3–12 and 6–12 months of ages were 71.11±1.42, 42.01±0.61, 52.96±0.71, 51.02±0.65, 47.52±0.44 and 50.87±0.55 gm, respectively. The major causes of variable ADG were period, season of birth and sex of kids. The ADG at different growth phases varied significantly (P<0.01) and showed fluctuating trend over the periods of birth. Kids born in autumn showed significantly higher weight gain (P<0.01) by 14.66% than those born in winter and by 17.24% as compared to those which born in summer. Higher (P<0.01) weight gain of autumn born kids as compared to other seasons continued at 3–6 and 6–9 months of ages. However, during 9–12 months of age higher (P<0.01) ADG was recorded in winter born kids followed by summer. Males attained higher (P<0.01) weight gains over the females by 5.45% during birth to 3 month, 22.0% during 3 to 6 month, 27.4% during 6 to 9 month and 30.7% during 9–12 months of age. Type of kidding, weight and parity of does affected weight gains only during pre-weaning period. Kids born from primi-parous and aged doe's (>6 parity) showed lower (P<0.05) pre-weaning ADG. The kids from heavier dams at kidding attained higher (P<0.05) pre-weaning weight gain. The present study suggest for managemental interventions to restore optimum growth of kids during 3–6 months period. More kiddings should be planned for autumn season for better growth and survivability. Goats with higher body weight at kidding and giving multiple births should be preferred to obtain higher weight per doe per year.