Weaning stress management in Beetal kids under stall-fed conditions

Abstract

With an objective to reduce the weaning stress through improved body reserves, 24 Beetal kids weighing 3-4 kg, ageing 5 days, were randomly distributed in three treatments i.e. W 2:3 (Soybean oil at 3% of concentrate feed of up to 2 months and by-pass fat at 3% thereafter for 3 months), W 3:2 (Soybean oil up to 3 months and by-pass fat for 2 months at same dose of W 2:3 ) and W 0:0 (No additional supplementation, Control). Different observations like milk, feed, fodder intake and body weight were recorded for 150 days. The concentrate feed intake was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in W 2:3 and W 3:2 group than control. Average daily gain (ADG) was 22.98% and 15.53% higher in W 2:3 and W 3:2 over control (W 0:0 ), respectively. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was slightly higher in control than other two treatment groups. It was concluded that supplementing diet with soybean oil for 2 months and by-pass fat for 3 months from birth at the rate of 3% of feed could be a suitable strategy for improving the body reserve of kids as well as for getting better performance in terms of body weight, ADG and FCR.

The effects of individual weaning based on birth weight on growth performance and milk yield in dairy goats

“…Weaning weight = individual birth weight of a kid × 3, 2 weaning weight = individual birth weight of a kid × 4,3 breed,4 group,5 interaction.…”

“…Growth characteristics of goat kids are affected by health, nutrition, and other management techniques that include weaning management (1,2). Changes in the amount and value of consumed feed and separation from their dams may emerge as psychological stress factors for weaned kids (3,4). Mistakes that were made during the growth period could affect the lifetime productivity of kids by decreasing or stagnating weight gain, increasing the risk of disease, reducing the breeding value, and even leading to the death of kids (2)(3)(4).…”

“…Changes in the amount and value of consumed feed and separation from their dams may emerge as psychological stress factors for weaned kids (3,4). Mistakes that were made during the growth period could affect the lifetime productivity of kids by decreasing or stagnating weight gain, increasing the risk of disease, reducing the breeding value, and even leading to the death of kids (2)(3)(4). However, it has been reported that weaning stress can be reduced by appropriate weaning techniques (5,6).…”