Growth, carcass characteristics and economics of malabari kids on different rations

A study was conducted to assess the effect of different rations on growth, carcass characteristics and economics of kids. Malabari kids (n=54, one week old) of both sexes were randomly allotted to three groups: concentrate (G1), concentrate + paddy straw in the form of total mixed ration (TMR) (G2) and concentrate + green hybrid Napier fodder (G3) as control. Kids were reared up to six months of age. Dry matter intake did not differ among kids fed different rations. It ranged from 321.12±11.88 to 343.78±13.52 g/d. Body weight at 6 months (14.18±1.09 kg), body height (54.16±0.93 cm) and average daily gain (69.41±7.49 g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in G1 compared to G3 (11.77±1.15 kg, 50.65±0.99 cm and 51.37±7.62 g, respectively) at 6 months. Dressing yield on live weight basis was similar in all groups (43.68±0.75 to 44.97±0.24%). Carcass weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in G1 (6.38±0.70 kg) than G3 (5.14±0.42 kg). Anatomical characters of dorsal and ventral sacs of rumen of kids at 6 months were not affected by different rations. The highest cost: benefit was observed in G1 (1.61) followed by G2 (1.58) and G3 (1.36). The study suggested that Malabari kids fed on concentrate and TMR attained higher body weight at 6 months and average daily gain at an economical cost than kids maintained on concentrate and green Napier fodder ration.