THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON PREWEANING GROWTH PERFORMANCES IN ARSI-BALE GOATS.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the influences of environmental factors on birth weight (Bwt), weaning weight (Wwt) and daily weight gain (DWG) of Arsi-Bale goats at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center. A total of 472 and 353 records of Bwt and Wwt, respectively, were used for the study. The analyzed sources of variation were sex of kid, litter size, parity, season of birth and year. Sex, litter size and parity had significant (P<0.05) influence on Bwt, Wwt and DWG of kids. Season of birth had no effect (P>0.05) on Bwt of kids but was significant for Wwt and DWG. Male kids had significantly (P<0.001) higher Bwt, Wwt and DWG than their female counterpart. Birth weight, weaning weight and daily weight gain of male kids were larger by 0.2kg, 0.9kg and 9.4g than females, respectively. Single Born kids (97.09 g) had higher pre-weaning DWG than twin (78.81 g) or triplets (72.31 g). First parity kids had significantly (P<0.05) lower Wwt and DWG than those of other parities. The overall result of the study showed the significant influence of environmental factors on preweaning traits. This suggested a need for improving the management of the flock so as to increase preweaning life weight performances of kids.

Key Words: Pre-weaning growth traits, environmental effects, goats

African Journal of Livestock Extension Vol.3 2004: 23-27