Effect of improved management practices on productive and reproductive performance of Osmanabadi goats under semi-intensive rearing systems

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt was made to study the salient characteristics, viz. age at first kidding (AFK), weight of kid at birth (WKB), kidding interval (KI), kidding, twinning and triplet percentages, etc. during June, 2018 to March, 2020. The study was conducted using standard format developed by ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal (Haryana) with some adaptations to capture additional information. Scientific management practices were followed in the farm to enhance the productive and reproductive performance of Osmanabadi goats under semi-intensive system. The study generated data on average age at first kidding (266.55±18.38 days), gestation period (148–153 days), kidding interval (195.09±5.65 days), age at puberty (212.32±2.83 days), average litter size (1.62), average dressing percentage (53%), average milk yield (1.26 kg per doe per day), birth weights of kids (2.57±0.48 kg), twinning (35.59%) and triplet percentages (13.56%). Further, the kidding details indicated significant difference among the durations. The data thus generated revealed that the semi-intesive rearing practices were superior to the methods followed in earlier studies including those of ICARNBAGR, Karnal. It can be concluded that meticulous adoption of scientific management practices would enhance the productive and reproductive performance of goats in general, and Osmanabadi goats in particular under semiintensive rearing system.