Production and reproduction of Salem Black goats on concentrate supplementation during physiological stages

A study was undertaken (February to August 2019) to assess the performance of Salem Black does fed on graded levels of concentrate feed in critical physiological stages viz., prior to and after breeding (21 d each), late gestation (last 28 d) and early lactation (up to 28 d). A total of 32 does of similar body weight (29 kg) and age (2 to 5 yr) were divided into four groups with eight each. The does under T, were allowed for grazing (6 h) alone, whereas the does under T₂, T₃, and T₄ groups were offered concentrate feed daily @ 100, 200 and 300 g, respectively, besides grazing. The body weight gain after flushing were significantly higher (p<0.01) among the supplemented groups (T₂, T₃, and T₄) whereas body weight loss was observed in T, group (−0.44±0.23 kg). Similarly, the body condition score of does after flushing and steaming up were 3.13 to 4.00 in supplemented groups (T₂, T₃, and T₄) and 2.63 to 3.30 in T,. The number of services required per pregnancy ranged from 1.25 (T₄) to 1.88 (T,) and did not differ significantly among the groups. The mean birth weight of kids was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T₄ (2.3 2kg) than T, (1.98 kg), T₂ (2.11 kg) and T₃ (2.22 kg). The results indicated that the supplementation of concentrate feed @ 300 g to Salem Black goats improved body weight gain during flushing, pregnancy and birth weight of kids born as compared to non-supplemented group maintained on grazing only.