1Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, Thrissur, India
2Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, India
3Centre for Pig Production and Research, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy, Thrissur, India
*Corresponding author: S George; E-mail: sabin@kvasu.ac.in
This study examined the growth and economic outcomes of Malabari kids reared on different milk replacers compared with natural dam's milk. Healthy kids were assigned to four feeding groups: dam's milk, whey-based replacer, groundnut-based replacer, and coconut-based replacer. All kids received colostrum at birth and were reared on the assigned diets until weaning. Key performance indicators included growth rate, feed efficiency, health status, and cost of feeding. Kids raised on dam's milk and whey-based replacer showed better growth and feed efficiency than those on groundnut or coconut-based replacers. Health parameters remained comparable across groups, though digestive issues were more frequent in oilcake-based diets. The whey-based replacer proved to be the most cost-effective option, offering a sustainable and practical alternative to dam's milk for smallholder goat production.
⓿ Whey-based replacers match dam's milk in growth and weight gain.
⓿ Whey-fed kids show the best feed efficiency and health stability.
⓿ Whey replacers reduce rearing costs by 76% compared to milk.
Economic viability, Growth performance, Health management, Malabarikids, Milk replacers
