Indian Journal of Small Ruminants (The)

Growth data of 12102 Sangamneri goats over a period of 13 years (2004–2016) available at All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement (Sangamneri Field Unit), Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (Maharashtra) were collected and subjected to least squares analysis to study the effect of non-genetic factors on growth performance of Sanagamneri goats. Effects of cluster of villages, year and season of birth, type of birth and sex were the non-genetic factors considered. The overall least squares means for body weights at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age in Sangamneri goats were 5.07±0.01, 9.50±0.02, 14.80±0.03, 18.85±0.06 and 22.78±0.10 kg, respectively. The body weights at 1, 3 and 6 months were significantly (P<0.01) influenced by cluster of villages, year of birth, sex, type of birth However, body weight at 1 month was significantly (P<0.05) affected by season of birth. The body weights at 9 and 12 months of age were significantly (P<0.01) affected by cluster of villages, year of birth, sex, and type of birth except season of birth. The heritabilities for growth traits i.e. 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months body weight was 0.19±0.02, 0.40±0.02, 0.64±0.02, 0.75±0.02 and 0.51±0.02, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among body weights were positive and significant (P<0.01) at all stages of age studied. It was concluded that the selection on the basis of nine months body weight would be the best approach to improve growth performance in Sangamneri goats as it has high heritability and positive genetic correlations with other body weights.