Existing grazing and supplementary feeding practices of goats in semi-arid Rajasthan

The present study was conducted to investigate management practices adopted by goat keepers in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. Out of 240 farmers, 88.33% farmers supplemented with dry fodder while only 30.83% supplemented with green fodder to their goats. Grain supplementation to lactating goats was adopted by 79.19%. Concentrate mixture was usually provided @ 200–300 g / day to lactating goats by 56.84% of farmers. Practice of providing mineral mixture and common salt to goats was adopted by 7.08% and 25.42% of farmers. The duration of daily grazing of flock ranged significantly (P<0.01) from 7.67±0.06 hr (winter) to 9.88±0.10 hr (summer). Flock size had significant Association with supplementation of dry fodder, type and quantity of concentrate feed, duration of grazing and use of common salt. Thus there is need to create awareness regarding scientific feeding practices in order to improve the productivity of goats.