Estimation of Genetic Traits and Factors Affecting Growth in Surti Goats

A study aimed to estimate the effect of non-genetic factors on growth traits and genetic parameters in Surti kids. Data on growth traits of Surti kids maintained under All India Coordinated Research Project on Surti Goat at Livestock Research Station, Navsari (Gujarat) from 2012 to 2021 were used for the study. Type of birth had significant (P<0.05) effect on growth traits up to 6 months. However, season and period of birth had a significant (P<0.05) effect up to 3 months only. Sex of the kid had significant (P<0.01) effect on the growth traits up to 12 months of age. Heritability estimates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were higher for body weight (0.638, 0.372, 0.358 and 0.350), body height (0.343, 0.467, 0.459 and 0.465) and heart girth (0.430, 0.450, 0.456 and 0.459), whereas moderate for body length (0.315, 0.274, 0.259 and 0.278) respectively. High and positive genetic-phenotypic correlations at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were observed for body weight, body length, body height and heart girth. The study revealed a significant effect of non-genetic factors during the early stage of life. Moreover, growth traits were moderate to highly heritable up to 12 months, except at birth in Surti goats.