Effect of Non-Genetic Factors on Body Weight and Body Measurements at Birth in Konkan Kanyal Goats

A present study was conducted at Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli (Maharashtra) to evaluate the birth weight and body measurements viz., height at wither, body length and heart girth of Konkan Kanyal goats were 2.093±0.009 kg and 27.93±0.052, 26.65±0.045 and 25.96±0.045 cm, respectively. Significantly heaviest birth weight (2.24±0.04 kg) and body measurements viz., height at wither (28.75±0.24 cm), body length (27.45±0.22 cm) and heart girth (26.66±0.20 cm) were observed in the year 2005. The kids born in South west monsoon season was observed significantly higher in birth weight (2.2±0.02 kg) and body measurements viz., height at wither, body length and heart girth as 28.41±0.14, 27.14±0.09 and 26.30±0.11 cm, respectively. The least square means of type birth weight and body measurements viz., height at wither, body length and heart girth of single born kids were 2.15±0.01 kg, 28.17±0.07, 26.92±0.06 and 26.17±0.06 cm, respectively. The sex showed significant effect on birth weight and body measurements, the male goat was 2.15±0.01 kg heavier than the female 2.03±0.01 kg. The higher body measurements of 28.32±0.08 cm height at wither, 27.08±0.07 cm body length and 26.30±0.07 cm heart girth were found in male than the body measurements of female as 27.48±0.07 cm wither height, 26.31±0.06 cm body length and 25.63±0.05 cm heart girths, respectively. It was concluded that the significant effect of non-genetic factors on birth weight and body measurements at birth.