Factors affecting pre-weaning body weight of Assam local goats and their crosses with beetal

The total of 976 birth weight and 693 three months body weight records of kids belonging to 3 genetic groups, viz., Assam Local (AL), 1/2 Assam Local 1/2 Beetal (1/2 AL 1/2B) and 1/4 Assam Local 3/4 Beetal (1/4 AL 3/4B) maintained at the Goat Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Bumihat, covering a period of 15 years (1978–1992) were utilized. The overall least-squares means (μ) of body weight at birth and 3 months of age were 1.285 ± 0.014 and 5.371 ± 0.068 kg respectively. The least-squares analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P<0.01) effect of genetic group, type of birth, sex, parity, season and period of kidding on the body weight at birth and 3 months of age excepting seasonal effect on 3 months body weight which was found to be nonsignificnat. The results showed an increasing trend of the weight of the kids with the increase in Beetal inheritance. The single born kids had significantly (P<0.01) higher body weight than the kids born as multiples. The male kids were significantly (P<0.01) heavier than the female kids. The body weight of the kids was found to be the highest in second parity and during third period. The birth weight of the kids born during summer monsoon was significantly (P<0.01) higher than the kids born in other seasons.