RReevviieeww ooff LLiitteerraattuurree

5

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The information on morphological, production, reproduction parameters and

management practices as well as prediction of body weight of goats available in

literature on different goat breeds is reviewed here.

2.1 Morphological features of goats

2.1.1 Coat colour

Coat colour in Jamunapari goats was observed as follows; 4.3% were completely

white, while among the remaining animals with predominantly white colour, 87.8% of

white animals had either brown, dark brown, fawn patches on neck, ears and around eyes

and 7.9% white animals had black and black fawn patches (Bhat, 1988 a).

In Barbari goats, 46.8% had brown spotting against white background, 2.9% solid

brown, 18.1% had brown colour on face, dark brown on neck, back, thigh and limbs,

12.7% had fawn colour and 0.32% white (Bhat 1988 b).

In Sangamneri breed, Misra and Koratkar (1994) reported that 60% were

completely black, 4% were brown and 1% were white, while Verma et al. (2008)

observed complete white coat colour with admixtures of black and brown.

Kodi Adu goats of Tamil Nadu showed predominantly white hair coat with

splashes of black or red colour (Jain et al., 2000). Berari goats of Maharashtra showed

four colour patterns: black, red and combined accounted for 75% while remaining were

white (Ali et al., 2004).

In Marwari goats, the coat colours were observed to be black, brown, white,

black & white, black & brown and brown & white in 71.66, 6.08, 7.91, 8.66, 4.61 and

1.08 per cent, respectively (Gahlot et al., 2004). Pathodiya et al. (2004 a) reported

predominantly light to dark brown coat colour in Sirohi goats of Rajasthan.

6

Coat colour in Malabari goat breed of Kerala was reported to be mainly white

and black or white and brown (65%) by Raghavan et al. (2004) while Verma et al. (2007

b) observed complete white to complete black animals. Rao and Patro (2004) observed

brown and black coat colour in Ganjam goats of Orissa and black coat colour in Bengal

type goats of Orissa.

Coat colour patterns in Chegu goats of Himachal Pradesh were observed to be

pure white (26.22%), reddish brown/ tan (12.28%), pure black (14.12%), admixture of

tan and white (18.14%) and black and white (18.06 %) by Thakur (2004). The coat

colour varied from black, fawn and white in Chaugarkha goat breed of Uttaranchal

(Barwal et al., 2007).

Verma et al. (2007 a) observed the coat colour in Gohilwadi goats to be

uniformly black. Surti breed of goats of Gujarat showed varied colour patterns viz.

white, black, tan, coffee color, and grayish (Dixit et al., 2008).

Gopu et al. (2008) observed black coat colour in Salem Black goats of Tamil

Nadu. Beetal breed of goat revealed 72.35, 5.52 and 22.12 percent of black, brown and

black/ brown with white patches respectively (Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 b).

In indigenous goats of Keonjhar district of Orissa the coat colours were brown,

black, white and mixture of black, brown & white in the proportion of 47.57, 29.13, 5.10

and 10.20 per cent respectively (Singh Bariah et al., 2008). Coat colour was

predominantly yellowish brown in Pallai Adu breed of goat of Tamil Nadu

(Ravimurugan et al., 2008).

2.1.2 Skin colour

Skin colour in Jamunapari goats was observed as; 56% grey, 31.8% white, 4.9%

grey with white patches, 4.9% white with grey patches and 0.58% black (Bhat, 1988 a),

while in Barbari the skin colour was brown in 35.3%, light brown in 15.9%, dark brown

7

in 4.14%, white in 21%, pink in 19%, light pink in 6.37% and black in 0.95% (Bhat,

1988 b). Patel et al. (2007) reported the skin colour as mainly brown in Parbatsari goat

of Rajasthan.

2.1.3 Muzzle colour

The muzzle colour in Jamunapari goats were reported to be 86.8% black, 7.4%

brown and 3.2% white (Bhat, 1988 a), 33.4% brown, 22.3% brown with black pigment,

10% light brown with black pigment, 4.7% pink, 2.9% light brown, 0.95% white, 3.82%

black and 0.64% light black in Barbari (Bhat, 1988 b), black in Gohilwadi goats

(Verma et al., 2007 a), grayish black to black, pink and light brown in Surti

(Dixit et al., 2008) and black in Sangamneri goats (Verma et al., 2008).

2.1.4 Eyelids colour

The eyelids colour was observed to be of two types, light and dark brown, in

Parbatsari goat of Rajasthan (Patel et al., 2007), while it was black in Gohilwadi goats

(Verma et al., 2007 a) and pink in Sangamneri goats (Verma et al., 2008).

2.1.5 Hoof colour

Hoof colour was grayish black to black, pink and light brown in Surti breed of

goats (Dixit et al., 2008) and grey in Sangamneri goat (Verma et al., 2008).

2.1.6 Horns

Horned/ non polled male or females were observed in Jamunapari (Bhat, 1988 a),

Salem Black (Gopu et al., 2008) and Malabari goats (Raghavan et al., 2004). Similarly

both the sexes in Kodi Adu were horned with average length of 19.0 ± 1.16 cm in males

and 12.6 ± 0.48 cm in females (Jain et al., 2000). The horn length in Sirohi was 15 ± 2.4

cm (Pathodiya et al., 2004 a), 9.68 to 9.78 cm in Marwari breed (Gahlot et al., 2004).

The horn length was reported to vary between 10 and 50 cm in Chegu goats of Himachal

Pradesh (Thakur, 2004), and between 7 and 10 cm in Parbatsari goat of Rajasthan (Patel

8

et al., 2007). Singh Bariah et al. (2008) reported horn length in indigenous goats of

Keonjhar district of Orissa to be 8.89 ± 0.05 in males and 8.52 ± 0.04 cm in females.

Verma et al. (2007 c) described Jakhrana breed and reported the horn length in

males at 3 months, 6 months and adult age as 4.02 ± 0.54, 6.06 ± 0.29 and 12.85 ± 1.50

cm respectively while the respective measurements in females were 2.34 ± 0.14, 4.50 ±

0.42 and 9.41 ± 0.34 cm respectively. Dixit et al. (2008) reported horns of Surti breed of

goats measuring from small size (3 cm) to long (23cm) and which were grayish black

and curved backward. Verma et al. (2008) observed that the Sangamneri goats of

Maharashtra had horns that are grey in colour, thin and small orienting upward and

backward.

2.1.7 Ears

In Jamunapari goats, ears were long, folded and drooping in males measuring

between 16 and 37 cm and in females between 23 and 35 cm (Bhat, 1988 a). In Kodi

Adu goat breed of Tamil Nadu, the ears were medium in size, curved forward and

slightly drooping but alert with average length of 15.27 ± 0.10 cm in (Jain et al., 2000).

The ear length in Sirohi goats at birth, 3 months and 6 months of age were 12.10

± 0.16, 15.88 ± 0.26 and 17.37 ± 0.32 cm respectively (Tomar et al., 2001), whereas in

the sane breed, Pathodiya et al., (2004 a) observed the ears to be pendulous drooping

downwards, slightly curved towards back with length ranging between 12-20 cm.

Size of the ears varied from small, medium to long with values of 12.56, 46.02

and 17.8 per cent respectively in Berari goat of Maharashtra (Ali et al., 2004). Ears were

flat, drooping and medium in length measuring 17.87 ± 0.22 cm in females and 18.40 ±

0.65 cm in males in Marwari breed (Gahlot et al., 2004).

Malabari goat breed of Kerala had long ears (Raghavan et al., 2004) and had

average length 13.47 cm in kids and 18.22 cm in adults (Verma et al., 2007 b). The ear

9

lengths in Chaugarkha goat breed of Uttaranchal were 13.73 ± 0.1 cm in females and

13.55 ± 0.17 cm in males (Barwal et al., 2007).

Ears were pendulous with average length of 17.3 and 23.3 cm in females and

males respectively in Parbatsari goat of Rajasthan (Patel et al., 2007), 19.89 ± 0.61 cm

long in males and 19.25 ± 0.14 cm long in females in Zalawadi goats (Singh et al., 2007

g), tubular and drooping measuring 17.49 cm in Gohilwadi goats (Verma et al., 2007 a),

broad and pendulous in Bareilly goats (Das, 2008), pendulous and small (7cm) to long

(29cm) in Surti goats (Dixit et al., 2008), long and drooping in Sangamneri goat (Verma

et al., 2008) and 14.47 ± 0.02 and 13.36 ± 0.03 cm long in males and females,

respectively, in indigenous goats of Keonjhar district of Orissa (Singh Bariah et al.,

2008).

Verma et al. (2007 c) described Jakhrana breed and reported ear length at one

month as 17.88 ± 0.42 cm. In males the ear lengths at 3 months, 6 months and adult were

18.95 ± 0.33, 20.96 ± 0.63 and 22.72 ± 2.39 cm respectively while the respective values

in females were 17.38 ± 1.63, 18.41 ± 1.04 and 20.02 ± 0.44 cm.

Maroof Ahmad et al. (2008 b) reported that Beetal breed of goat had long sized

and flat ears. The mean ear lengths were found to be 14.69 ± 0.31, 17.96 ± 0.09, 19.58 ±

0.12 and 21.03 ± 0.55 cm in male and 14.54 ± 040, 16.95 ± 0.11, 18.46 ± 0.17 and 20.08

± 0.72 cm in female while corresponding values for ear width were estimated as 6.83 ±

0.09, 7.78 ± 0.01, 8.28 ± 0.03 and 8.74 ± 0.14 cm (male) and 6.78 ± 0.08, 8.08 ± 0.13,

8.17 ± 0.10 and 8.56 ± 0.17 cm (female) at birth, 1,2 and 3-month of age respectively.

2.1.8 Forehead

Convex forehead was observed in Malabari goat breed of Kerala (Raghavan et

al., 2004), Sangamneri goat of Maharashtra (Verma et al., 2008) while Chegu goats of

Himachal Pradesh had concave forehead with tapering face and muzzle (Thakur, 2004),

10

Face length at one month in Jakhrana breed was 12.35 ± 0.19 cm. In males the

face length at 3 months, 6 months and adult were 15.16 ± 0.47, 17.01 ± 0.53 and 21.50 ±

0.86 cm respectively while the values in females were 14.96 ± 0.23, 16.33 ± 1.58 and

18.85 ± 0.33 cm respectively (Verma et al., 2007 c). The head length in males and

females were 21.58 ± 0.19 and 20.94 ± 0.08 cm respectively in indigenous goats of

Keonjhar district of Orissa (Singh Bariah et al., 2008).

Maroof Ahmad et al. (2008 b) described Beetal breed of goat. The mean nasal

bridge circumference in male kids was estimated to be 16.82 ± 0.11, 18.57 ± 0.14, 20.68

± 0.09 and 22.35 ± 0.12 cm at birth, 1, 2 and 3-month of age while the corresponding

values in females were 16.42 ± 0.11, 18.73 ± 0.16, 19.58 ± 0.14 and 20.84 ± 0.17 cm.

2.1.9 Beard and Wattles

In Jamunapari goats, beard was observed in 88.6% of males and 52.8% of

females but no wattles and tussels (Bhat, 1988 a). Beard and wattles were present in

varying proportions of 28.39 to 42.85% and 10.12 to 17.33% respectively in Marwari

breed (Gahlot et al., 2004), while in Malabari goats, only 12% had tussels and 6.24%

were bearded (Raghavan et al., 2004) and 20% males and females had beard (Verma et

al., 2007 b). Beard is present in both sexes while wattles are present only in few animals

in Chegu goats of Himachal Pradesh (Thakur, 2004). In Sirohi goats 21.5% animals

showed wattles while 7.5% males showed beard (Patel et al., 2007). Beard was observed

among 45% of males and 22% of females with tussels in 89% of males and 76% of

females in Salem Black goats of Tamil Nadu (Gopu et al., 2008). Ten percent of animals

(Male and females) had beard with only 2 % showing wattles in Sangamneri goat of

Maharashtra (Verma et al., 2008).

11

2.1.10 Tail

Tails were short ranging between 10-21 cm in Jamunapari goats (Bhat, 1988 a),

medium sized and thin with average length of 17.19 ± 0.22 cm in Kodi Adu breed (Jain

et al., 2000), small and thin in Marwari (Gahlot et al., 2004), short and curled in Sirohi

goats (Pathodiya et al., 2004 a), short (10-12 cm) and straight in Chegu goats (Thakur,

2004), with a length of 16.4 cm in Parbatsari (Patel et al., 2007), and small, thin and

measuring 10.40 cm in kids and 16.28 cm in adults in Malabari (Verma et al., 2007 b). In

Beetal breed of goat the mean tail length at birth, 1, 2 and 3-month of age in kids was

found to be 10.47 ± 0.06, 12.76 ± 0.18, 13.94 ± 0.14 and 15.73 ± 0.15 cm in males and

9.92 ± 0.08, 11.87 ± 0.15, 13.04 ± 0.12 and 14.16 ± 0.13 cm in females respectively

(Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 b).

2.2 Management practices

In a study of Sangamneri breed, Misra and Koratkar (1994), reported average

herd size to be 20 and ranging between 3 and 60 of which 62.5% were adults. Fifty two

percent goat rearers maintained 5 - 15, 29% maintained 16-25 and only 3.5% maintained

more than 40 goats. The marginal farmers maintained their goats under browsing and

stubble grazing, with the women and children looking after the goats. Verma et al.

(2008) observed that the Sangamneri goat, a dual-purpose breed, was mainly maintained

on stall feeding.

Jain et al. (2000) reported for Kodi Adu goats that about 20% farmers kept them

in open, 60% in both open and closed houses while the rest 20% in closed space which

was generally part of the owners’ dwelling. The herds were generally stationary.

Marwari goat of Rajasthan and Gujarat were well adapted to harsh climates of

semi-arid zone and are reared under extensive system of trans-migratory system (Gahlot

et al., 2004). The flock size varying from 5 - 100 animals, the kids: adult ratio varied

12

from 25:75 to 40:60, and the flocks were generally stationary but migrated during

scarcity of fodder (Dixit et al., 2007).

Pathodiya et al. (2004 a) reported that Sirohi goats of Rajasthan were housed in

open and closed houses equally with kaccha roof and floor, a few goat keepers had own

land while 97.16% used community land for grazing. Ganjam goats of Orissa were

maintained under extensive system and only on browsing (Rao and Patro, 2004).

Rout et al. (2007) described for Jamunapari that herds were usually kept under

extensive system with 7-12 hours of foraging in the ravines. Herd size was up to 16

females with varying number of kids. Housing was small barn or hut sometimes made of

mud or bricks. The animals were subjected to vigorous browsing in winter for 94% of

the time spent whereas only 55% of the time was spent on browsing during summer.

Flock size of Beetal goats varied from 6-32 adults with breeders (Safeer Alam et

al., 2007). Verma et al. (2007 b) observed that the Malabari goats of Kerala were

intensively managed with houses made of bamboos and sticks and the floor was of

bamboos and planks at a height of 2 feet from the ground.

Verma et al. (2007 c) observed in Jakhrana breed that the flock size varied from

5-100 animals, the kids: adult ratio varying from 20:80 to 30:70. The flocks were

generally stationary with some farmers following stall feeding and the animals were kept

in open housing system during day and closed housing at nights. While, Rai et al. (2001

a) observed that Jakhrana breed was extensively reared and were mostly housed in

thatched roofing.

The proportion of farmers raising Beetal goats under extensive and semi-

intensive management systems was estimated as 82.5 and 17.5 percent respectively. In

its breeding tract it was observed that 89% farmers had separate goat houses whereas

11% provided shelter to the goats as part of their own house. The houses of the goats

13

were pakka (94%) and partial pakka (4%) with average ventilation. Most of the farmers

made an open area space in front of goat house with boundary made-up of wooden

materials or brick wall (Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 a).

2.3 Body weights in goats

The body weights in Marwari goats at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12

months and adults were 2.35 ± 0.15, 10.50 ± 0.82, 12.73 ± 0.42, 17.20 ± 1.05, 20.51 ±

1.60 and 39.91 ± 1.72 kg respectively in males, while the respective values in females

were 2.02 ± 0.21, 9.55 ± 0.17, 10.40 ± 0.36, 12.42 ± 1.55, 15.93 ± 2.17 and 28.74 ± 2.02

kg (Mittal, 1988). The body weight was 29.45 ± 0.0 kg in females and 33.76 ± 0.57 kg in

males (Gahlot et al., 2004). The overall means for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12

months were 3.05 ± 0.05, 11.35 ± 0.17, 14.94 ± 0.21, 19.98 ± 0.22 and 23.19 ± 0.18 kg

respectively (Rai et al., 2004). The body weights at 3 months, 6 months and adult were

12.89 ± 1.22, 20.91 ± 0.55 and 39.51 ± 2.24 kg respectively in males while the values in

females were 13.50 ± 0.80, 19.94 ± 1.23 and 31.86 ± 0.42 kg respectively (Dixit et al.,

2007).

Average body weight at 90 days of age in Sirohi, Marwari and Kutchi breeds of

goats were 15.70 ± 0.51, 14.56 ± 0.32 and 14.00 ± 0.58 kg respectively, at 6 months the

weights were 26.90 ± 0.72, 26.66 ± 0.42 and 23.98 ± 0.86 kg respectively, at 9 months

they were 37.33 ± 1.17, 34.81 ± 0.47 and 32.76 ± 1.44 kg respectively and at 12 months

45.15 ± 1.02, 41.25 ± 0.72 and 40.38 ± 1.54 kg respectively (Mehta et al., 2000).

For Sirohi goats the body weights at three, six, nine and 12 months were 11.39,

16.49, 20.03 and 23.39 kg respectively (Pathodiya et al., 2004 a); the average daily gain

in body weight at birth-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months was 88.64 ±

2.27, 51.23 ± 2.99, 47.00 ± 3.17 and 41.77 ± 3.63 kg respectively (Swami et al., 2006 a).

The average body weight at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months were

14

2.58 ± 0.03, 11.40 ± 0.22, 14.75 ± 0.36, 20.15 ± 0.47 and 23.67 ± 0.55 kg respectively

(Swami et al., 2006 c). The means for the body weights were 2.16 ± 0.05, 10.84 ± 0.23,

15.24 ± 0.28, 18.33 ± 0.40 and 21.94 ± 0.35 kg at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months

respectively (Sharma and Pathodiya, 2007).

The average body weight in males of Sangamneri breed was 59.07 ± 2.19 kg and

in females 35.74 ± 1.05 kg (Misra and Koratkar, 1994). The body weight for males and

females ranged between 25-54 and 22-49 kg respectively (Verma et al., 2008). In Kodi

Adu goats Jain et al. (2000), reported the body weight for males and females to range

between 39.50 ± 1.59 kg and 32.17 ± 0.73 kg, while Karna et al. (2001) reported overall

mean birth weight as 2.07 ± 0.02 kg. In Chegu goats the body weight of kids at birth was

2.0 kg and going up to 14-15 kg in males and 12-13 kg in females at one year of age.

Adult males weighed 35-40 kg while females weighed 25-30 kg (Thakur, 2004).

The relative growth rate of body weight in Black Bengal goats at 0-4 wk (kg/kg),

4-8 wk (g/kg), 8-12 wk (g/kg) and 0-12 wk (kg/kg) were reported as 0.89 ± 0.05, 472.57

± 24.09, 302.48 ± 21.13 and 2.85 ± 0.13 respectively, the corresponding values in

Jamunapari x Black Bengal crosses were 1.11 ± 0.04, 485.95 ± 21.47, 278.44 ± 18.89

and 3.16 ± 0.12 respectively, while for Beetal x Black Bengal the values were 1.08 ±

0.05, 471.87 ± 28.14, 299.03 ± 24.79 and 3.14 ± 0.19 respectively (Singh et al., 2002).

In Berari goats of Nagpur region the mean body weight at 6 months and 9 months

was 12.17 ± 0.18 and 15.84 ± 0.21 kg respectively (Ambhore et al., 2003), the birth

weight in males and females was 2.20 and 2.06 respectively while the adult weights were

18.05 and 16.96 respectively (Ali et al., 2004).

In Jamunapari goats overall mean body weight at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9

months and 12 months were 2.79 ± 0.04, 9.12 ± 0.14, 13.14 ± 0.21, 18.09 ± 0.30 and

22.41 ± 0.37 kg respectively (Roy et al., 2003), the females weighing about six pounds at

15

birth, 30 pounds at 6 months and 65 pounds at 12 months, with adult male attaining 80

pounds by 12 months under good feeding systems (Rout et al., 2007). The mean weight

at 6, 9 and 12 months of age was 17.25 ± 0.27, 24.62 ± 0.33 and 29.87 ± 0.34 kg

respectively under intensive rearing, and 14.06 ± 0.22, 18.85 ± 0.24 and 23.29 ± 0.31 kg

respectively under semi-intensive system of management (Roy et al., 2007). The pooled

overall body weights at birth, 4th, 8th and 12th week were 1.37 ± 0.05, 3.26 ± 0.05, 4.98 ±

0.19 and 6.63 ± 0.17 kg in Black Bengal, Jamunapari x Black Bengal and Beetal x Black

Bengal goats respectively (Singh et al., 2007 b).

In Malabari goat breed of Kerala the overall average body weights at birth, 1

month, 3 months and 6 months were 1.65 ± 0.02, 4.82 ± 0.09, 8.37 ± 0.25, 12.52 ±0.60

and 16.92 ± 1.56 kg respectively (Raghavan et al., 2004), the mean body weight at birth,

3 months, 6 months and 12 months being 1.62, 5.98, 10.66 and 19.61 kg respectively

(Raghavan et al., 2007), whereas average body weights of adult female and adult goats

were 30.68 and 41.20 kg respectively (Verma et al., 2007 b).

Rao and Patro (2004) reported in Ganjam goats of Orissa the body weight at

birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months in males as 2.36 ± 0.02, 7.35 ± 0.25,

9.87 ± 0.20, 11.57 ± 0.23 and 12.63 ± 0.28 kg respectively and in females the values

were 2.25 ± 0.21, 6.87 ± 0.21, 9.07 ± 0.16, 10.89 ± 0.28 and 11.46 ± 0.21 kg

respectively. For Bengal type goats of Orissa they reported the body weight at birth, 3

months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months in males as 1.56 ± 0.07, 7.00 ± 0.21, 9.14 ±

0.46, 10.06 ± 0.30 and 11.02 ± 0.46 kg respectively and in females as 1.25 ± 0.12, 7.12 ±

0.23, 8.15 ± 0.24, 8.92 ± 0.35 and 9.87 ± 0.39 kg respectively. Similarly for Ghumsur

goats of Orissa the authors estimated the body weight at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9

months and 12 months in males as 2.11 ± 0.01, 9.10 ± 0.06, 9.50 ± 0.02, 12.51 ± 0.01

16

and 15.11 ± 0.10 kg respectively, whereas in females the values were 1.75 ± 0.30, 7.23 ±

0.03, 8.51 ± 0.06, 11.28 ± 0.01 and 14.21 ± 0.02 kg respectively.

In Chaugarkha goat breed of Uttaranchal the body weights of adults were 17.61 ±

0.61 kg in males and 18.18 ± 0.42 kg in females (Barwal et al., 2007). In Black Bengal

goats the overall body weights at birth, 4th, 8th and 12th week were 1.18 ± 0.05, 2.75 ±

0.08, 4.25 ± 0.56 and 5.64 ± 0.37 kg respectively (Singh et al., 2007 c).

In Mehsana, Sirohi and Katchhi breeds of North Gujarat the mean body weights

in males at 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 months and in adults were 9.48 ± 0.30, 19.72 ± 0.33,

20.31 ± 0.53, 23.54 ± 0.46 and 44.15 ± 1.76 kg respectively. The corresponding values in

females were 10.04 ± 0.26, 18.91 ± 0.14, 21.09 ± 0.16, 23.42 ± 0.15 and 35.30 ± 0.72 kg

(Singh et al., 2007 d).

The average body weights in kids (0-3 months) in Mehsana goats were 9.48 ±

0.30 and 10.04 ± 0.26 kg, for 4-6 months age the weights were 19.72 ± 0.33 and 18.91 ±

0.14 kg and in 7-9 months age group it was 20.31 ± 0.53 and 21.90 ± 0.16 kg in males

and females respectively, while at one year and adults it was 23.54 ± 0.46 and 36.68 ±

1.24 kg respectively in males and were 23.42 ± 0.15 and 36.09 ± 0.24 kg in females

respectively (Singh et al., 2007 f).

Singh et al. (2007 g) observed for Zalawadi goat kids of Gujarat the mean body

weight at birth as 3.08 ± 0.07 kg for males and 2.84 ± 0.07 kg for females. The values at

3-3.5 months were 11.39 ± 0.70 kg for males and 10.29 ± 0.70 kg females. At 9-10

months the values were 20.39 ± 1.76 kg for males and 17.82 ± 1.04 kg for females. At 12

months the values were 29.16 ± 1.26 kg for males and 22.07 ± 0.87 kg for females. For

adults (2 years) the values were 52.06 ± 3.12 kg for males and 34.34 ± 0.37 kg for

females.

17

In Jakhrana breed Verma et al. (2007 c) reported mean body weights at one

month as 9.76 ± 0.60 kg. In males the body weights at 3 months, 6 months and adult

were 17.83 ± 1.41, 26.33 ± 2.96 and 55.00 ± 2.84 kg respectively while the values in

females were 16.53 ± 0.80, 21.83 ± 0.62 and 36.98 ± 0.68 kg respectively. Bhusan and

Rai (2008) observed that the kids born in first (I) (March to August) season weighed

more than the kids born in season second (II) (Sep. to Feb.). Single born kids had more

body weight at different ages than the twins. Male kids at different ages weighed more

than female kids. Similarly adult males had more body weight than adult females.

In Bareilly goats the body weight varied from 2 to 3 kg at birth, 8 to 10 kg at

weaning, 10 to 15 kg at 6-9 months, 20 to 25 kg at yearling and 35-40 kg at adult (Das,

2008). In Surti breed of goat the adult buck weight ranged from 19 to 46 kg and that of

doe ranged from 18 to 70 kg. The average body weight of adult male and female was

29.03 and 31.06 kg respectively (Dixit et al., 2008).

In Kanniadu kids the body weight of kids at 8th and 10th fortnights under intensive

(13.02 ± 0.89 and 15.70 ± 0.89 kg respectively) and semi-intensive (13.65 ± 0.74 and

16.07 ± 0.82 kg) housing system was significantly (P<0.01) higher than under extensive

(10.76 ± 0.46 and 11.91 ± 0.46 kg) system. In Salem Black goats the mean body weights

in six and eight teeth males and females were 41.76 ± 0.68 and 48.64 ± 0.64 kg; 26.42 ±

0.43 and 31.76 ± 0.26 kg respectively (Gopu et al., 2008).

In Beetal breed of goats the average body weight was found to be 45.13 ± 0.44 kg

(Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 a), whereas the mean of body weights at birth, 1, 2 and 3-

month of age were 3.87 ± 0.07, 7.20 ± 0.12, 10.21 ± 0.14 and 13.73 ± 0.14 kg

respectively in male and the corresponding values for female were 3.42 ± 0.07, 6.50 ±

0.11, 8.35 ± 0.12 and 11.74 ± 0.12 kg (Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 b).

18

The birth weight of males and females were 1.85 ± .02 and 1.75 ± 0.04 kg

respectively in Pallai Adu goat (Ravimurugan et al., 2008). The adult body weights of

males and females were 21.19 ± 0.08 and 20.25 ± 0.06 kg respectively. In indigenous

goats of Keonjhar district of Orissa the mean values of body weight at different stages of

growth viz. birth, 3, 6, 9, 12 and above 12 months were 1.41 ± 0.01, 6.78 ± 0.06, 8.82 ±

0.06, 10.29 ± 0.03, 11.96 ± 0.05 and 15.83 ± 0.09 kg in males and 1.30 ± 0.01, 6.35 ±

0.05, 8.20 ± 0.05, 10.27 ± 0.03, 10.85 ± 0.04 and 14.90 ± 0.18 kg in females respectively

(Singh Bariah et al., 2008).

In Tellicherry breed of goat the overall means for birth weight of males and

females pooled over parity and type of birth was 2.28 ± 0.03 and 2.01 ± 0.03 kg

respectively (Thiruvenkadan et al., 2008).

2.4 Body measurements in goats

Literature pertaining to different body measurements such as body length, body

height and chest girth has been reviewed.

2.4.1 Body Length

The body length ranged from 56-104 cm for males and 50-99 cm for females in

Jamunapari breed (Bhat, 1988 a). In Sangamneri breed the average body length in males

was 76.40 ± 2.22 cm while in females the value was 65.29 ± 0.66 cm (Misra and

Koratkar, 1994), whereas values ranging from 65 - 83 cm in adult males and 56 - 80 cm

in females were reported by Misra and Koratkar (1994).

The body length in males for Kodi Adu was 74.32 ± 1.94 cm while in females the

value was 72.57 ± 0.60 cm (Jain et al., 2000) while in Chegu goats of Himachal Pradesh

the overall mean body length was 32.74 ± 2.81 cm (Karna et al., 2001).

In Sirohi goats the body length at birth was 31.07 ± 0.22 cm, at 3 months the

value was 47.38 ± 0.48 cm, at 6 months it was 55.02 ± 0.67 cm (Tomar et al., 2001),

19

while the body lengths at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months in males

were 28.46 ± 0.33, 44.12 ± 0.61, 49.48 ± 0.93, 54.65 ± 0.78 and 58.96 ± 0.79 cm and in

females the corresponding values were 28.03 ± 0.33, 44.10 ± 0.61, 49.31 ± 0.93, 54.42 ±

0.77 and 58.05 ± 0.77 cm (Sharma et al., 2008).

In Berari goats of Nagpur region Ambhore et al. (2003) reported the mean body

length at 6 months and 9 months to be 45.77 ± 0.71 and 50.11 ± 0.62 cm respectively

while Ali et al. (2004) reported that the body length was 36.37 cm in males and 36.10 cm

in females.

In Marwari breed, the body length was found to be 59.29 ± 0.46 in females and

61.64 ± 1.01 cm in males (Gahlot et al., 2004). Dixit et al. (2007) reported body length at

one month to be 17.29 ± 0.39 inches. At 3 months, 6 months and in adults the values

were 19.83 ± 1.00, 23.95 ± 0.24 and 29.54 ± 0.59 inches respectively in males while the

values in females were 19.71 ± 0.36, 23.22 ± 0.65 and 27.02 ± 0.15 inches respectively.

Raghavan et al. (2004) reported for Malabari goat breed an overall average of

61.14 ± 0.37 cm for body length in adults, while Verma et al. (2007 b) observed the

average body length as 39.20 cm at the weaning age (3 months) and 70.30 cm in adults.

In Ganjam goats of Orissa Rao and Patro (2004) observed the mean body length

in males as 23.17 ± 0.27 cm and 21.17 ± 0.56 cm in females. For Bengal type goats of

Orissa the body length in males was 22.17 ± 0.23 cm and in females the value was 20.73

± 0.42 cm. While in Ghumsur goats of Orissa the body length in males was 54.81 ± 0.31

cm and 49.45 ± 0.27 cm in females.

The body length was 54.71 ± 0.47 cm in females and 54.66 ± 0.87 cm in males

for Chaugarkha goat breed of Uttaranchal (Barwal et al., 2007), whereas in Parbatsari

goat of Rajasthan the average value of body length in females was 63.0 cm while in

males it was 69.8 cm (Patel et al., 2007). In Zalawadi goats the mean body length at birth

20

was 28.7 ± 0.3 cm for males and 28.1 ± 0.2 cm for females, at 3-3.5 months it was 53.0 ±

0.49 cm for males and 53.0 ± 0.23 cm for females, at 9-10 months the values were 63.3 ±

1.04 cm for males and 59.0 ± 0.41 cm for females, at 12 months the values were 64.0 ±

1.09 cm for males and 61.0 ± 0.38 cm for females, and for adults the values were 81.07 ±

1.44 cm for males and 73.03 ± 0.76 cm for females (Singh et al., 2007 g).

Average measurement of 79.78 cm for body length was observed in Gohilwadi

goats (Verma et al., 2007 a), body lengths at 3 months, 6 months and of adults were

57.92 ± 1.62, 65.51 ± 1.04 and 82.07 ± 1.91 cm respectively in males, while the values in

females were 56.38 ± 1.63, 63.33 ± 1.12 and 73.66 ± 0.65 cm respectively in Jakhrana

breed (Verma et al., 2007 c).

In Kanniadu kids the body length at 8th and 10th fortnights under intensive and

semi-intensive housing system was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that under

extensive system (Elangovan et al., 2008) while in Salem Black goats the means for

body length were 72.4 ± 0.5 cm in six-teeth males and 80.5 ± 0.4 cm in eight-teeth males

(Gopu et al., 2008).

For Beetal breed of goat the morpho-metric measurements recorded for body

length was 76.72 ± 0.32 cm (Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 a) while the mean body length

observed in Beetal kids were found to be 31.27 ±1.20, 39.93 ± 0.85, 45.02 ± 1.05 and

49.85 ± 0.90 cm at birth, 1, 2 and 3-month of age in males while the corresponding

values for females were 30.08 ± 1.23, 40.13 ± 0.90, 43.83 ± 1.27 and 48.61 ± 1.12 cm

(Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 b).

Ravimurugan et al. (2008) observed in Pallai Adu breed of goat an overall mean

for body length of 55.30 ± 0.08 cm in male and 50.33 ± 0.06 cm in females. Males had

significantly (P<0.01) higher values than females. Singh Bariah et al. (2008) observed in

21

indigenous goats of Keonjhar district of Orissa the body length of 51.16 ± 0.16 cm in

males and 48.60 ± 0.17 cm in females.

2.4.2 Body Height

Body height varied from 58 to 98 cm for males and from 55 to 104 cm in females

in Jamunapari breed (Bhat, 1988 a). The average body height in males was 80.20 ± 2.22

cm while in females the value was 69.83 ± 0.66 cm in Sangamneri breed (Misra and

Koratkar, 1994). In Kodi Adu the height at withers in males was 87.07 ± 1.13 cm while

in females the value was 81.07 ± 0.53 cm (Jain et al., 2000), while the overall mean

height at withers was 29.33 ± 0.13 cm in Chegu goats of Himachal Pradesh (Karna et al.,

2001).

In Sirohi goats the body height at birth was 34.77 ± 0.25 cm, 50.02 ± 0.51 cm at 3

months, and 57.14 ± 0.70 cm at 6 months (Tomar et al., 2001) while Sharma et al.

(2008) observed the body height at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months

in males to be 30.97 ± 0.30, 46.36 ± 0.56, 51.09 ± 0.72, 57.58 ± 0.59 and 62.64 ± 0.57

cm and in females the corresponding values were 30.63 ± 0.29, 46.30 ± 0.55, 51.76 ±

0.71, 57.47 ± 0.57 and 61.74 ± 0.53 cm.

In Berari goats of Nagpur region the mean height at withers at 6 months and 9

months were 54.00 ± 0.43 and 60.77 ± 0.55 cm respectively (Ambhore et al., 2003),

whereas Ali et al. (2004) reported the height at withers as 53.16 cm in males and 53.41

cm in females.

In Marwari breed the height at withers was 68.01 ± 0.45 cm in females while the

corresponding value for males was 69.85 ± 0.86 cm (Gahlot et al., 2004), height at

withers in males at 3 months, 6 months and adult were 21.94 ± 1.67, 25.64 ± 0.27 and

31.17 ± 0.55 inches respectively while the values in females were 21.96 ± 0.37, 25.13 ±

0.60 and 28.05 ± 0.12 inches respectively (Dixit et al., 2007).

22

In Malabari goat breed of Kerala the overall average for height at withers of

adults was 60.12 ± 0.23 cm (Raghavan et al., 2004) while Verma et al. (2007 b) found

the average height at withers to be 41.87 cm at the weaning age (3 months) and 68.41

cm in adults.

Rao and Patro (2004) described Ganjam goats of Orissa and observed the mean

height at withers in males to be 41.29 ± 2.52 cm whereas in females the value was 40.82

± 1.28 cm. For Bengal type goats of Orissa the height at withers in males was 40.17 ±

1.23 cm and in females the value was 39.13 ± 0.29 cm. While in Ghumsur goats of

Orissa the height at withers in males was found to be 62.53 ± 0.08 cm and in females the

value was 60.20 ± 0.08 cm.

For Chaugarkha goat breed of Uttaranchal the height at withers was 53.97 ± 0.35

cm in females and 54.6 ± 0.68 cm in males (Barwal et al., 2007), while in Parbatsari goat

of Rajasthan the average values of height at withers in females recorded was 73.3 cm

while in males it was 81.7 cm (Patel et al., 2007).

Singh et al. (2007 g) observed the mean height at withers for Zalawadi goat kids

of Gujarat at birth as 30.6 ± 0.2 cm for males and 29.6 ± 0.3 cm for females. The values

at 3 to 3.5 months were 57.0 ± 0.53 cm for males and 56.0 ± 0.27 cm for females

respectively. The values were 68.2 ± 1.14 cm for males and 63.1 ± 0.39 cm for females

at 9 to 10 months, 72.0 ± 1.25 cm for males and 65.0 ± 0.69 cm for females at 12

months, and 84.61 ± 1.34 cm and 73.16 ± 0.41 cm for adult males and females

respectively.

The Gohilwadi goats had average measurements of 81.04 cm for wither height as

reported by Verma et al. (2007 a), while in Jakhrana breed the height at withers in males

at 3 months, 6 months and adult were 60.71 ± 1.49, 72.08 ± 0.96 and 87.85 ± 1.65 cm

23

respectively and the same in females were 59.18 ± 1.17, 63.92 ± 1.12 and 77.42 ± 0.46

cm respectively (Verma et al., 2007 c).

In Salem Black goats the means for height at withers were 83.5 ± 0.2 cm in six-

tooth males and 87.6 ± 0.5 cm in eight-tooth males; these measurements were 78.5 ± 1.3

cm in six-tooth females and 83.2 ± 0.3 cm in eight-tooth females (Gopu et al., 2008).

The mean body heights at birth, 1, 2 and 3-month of age were 35.33 ± 0.80, 45.76

± 0.68, 51.13 ± 1.03 and 56.82 ± 1.10 cm respectively in male and 34.96 ± 1.00, 44.79 ±

0.72, 48.29 ± 1.52 and 54.92 ± 0.90 cm respectively in female Beetal kids (Maroof

Ahmad et al., 2008 b).

Ravimurugan et al. (2008) observed the overall means for height at withers as

74.34 ± 0.09 cm in males and 65.24 ± 0.07 cm in females of Pallai Adu breed of goat.

Males had significantly (P<0.01) higher values than females while Singh Bariah et al.

(2008) observed body height as 54.31 ± 0.30 cm in males and 53.11 ± 0.10 cm in

females in indigenous goats of Keonjhar district of Orissa. In Sangamneri breed of goat

the morphometry showed the range for height at wither as 65 - 82 cm in adult males and

59 - 78 cm in females (Verma et al., 2008).

2.4.3 Chest Girth

Chest girth in Jamunapari breed males was 60-96 cm and in females it was 57-92

cm (Bhat, 1988 a). In Sangamneri breed the average heart girth in males was 85.50 ±

1.88 cm while in females the values were 74.12 ± 0.76 cm (Misra and Koratkar, 1994).

Verma et al. (2008) observed the range for chest girth as 62 - 87 cm in adult males and

61 - 85 cm in females in the same breed.

The chest girth in Kodi Adu males was 82.63 ± 1.44 cm while in females the

value was 76.96 ± 0.54 cm (Jain et al., 2000) and in Chegu goats of Himachal Pradesh

the overall mean chest girth was 31.93 ± 0.20 cm (Karna et al., 2001).

24

In Sirohi goats the heart girth at birth, 3 months, 6 months were 30.86 ± 0.27 cm,

48.01 ± 0.40 cm and 56.35 ± 0.71 cm respectively (Tomar et al., 2001). The body girth at

birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months in males were 31.37 ± 0.36, 48.92 ±

0.70, 55.76 ± 0.76, 59.82 ± 0.63 and 65.21 ± 0.59 cm and in females the corresponding

values were 30.90 ± 0.35, 48.89 ± 0.70, 55.09 ± 0.75, 59.86 ± 0.61 and 64.24 ± 0.56 cm

(Sharma et al., 2008).

Ambhore et al. (2003) described Berari goats of Nagpur region and reported the

mean heart girth at 6 months and 9 months as 56.88 ± 0.35 and 63.33 ± 0.46 cm

respectively while Ali et al. (2004) found the values to be 58.33 cm in males and 56.65

cm in females.

In Marwari breed the heart girth was 73.21 ± 0.43 cm in females while the

corresponding value for males was 74.68 ± 0.96 cm (Gahlot et al., 2004). Chest girth in

males at 3 months, 6 months and adult were 20.89 ± 0.90, 24.36 ± 0.23 and 30.75 ± 0.66

inches respectively while the values in females were 21.36 ± 0.44, 24.53 ± 0.61 and

28.99 ± 0.15 inches respectively (Dixit et al., 2007).

Overall average chest girth of adults in Malabari goats was 60.12 ± 0.23 cm

(Raghavan et al., 2004) and measured 38.93 cm at the weaning age (3 months), in adult

animals they recorded 73.17cm (Verma et al., 2007 b). Rao and Patro (2004) described

Ganjam goats of Orissa and found the mean heart girth in males as 35.63 ± 0.65 cm and

in females the value was 34.26 ± 0.17 cm. For Bengal type goats of Orissa the heart girth

in males was 34.29 ± 1.27 cm and in females the values was 33.17 ± 0.86 cm. In

Ghumsur goats of Orissa the heart girth in males was found to be 63.98 ± 0.10 cm and in

females the values were 61.49 ± 0.09 cm.

The heart girth reported for Chaugarkha goat breed of Uttaranchal was 60.76 ±

0.46 cm in females and 59.57 ± 0.87 cm in males (Barwal et al., 2007). In Parbatsari goat

25

of Rajasthan the average values of heart girth in females was 71.3 cm while in males it

was 79.7 cm (Patel et al., 2007). For Zalawadi goat kids of Gujarat the mean heart girth

at birth was 30.1 ± 0.4 cm for males and 28.9 ± 0.3 cm for females, at 3 - 3.5 months

they were 55.0 ± 0.61 cm for males and 55.0 ± 0.29 cm for females, at 9 - 10 months the

values were 67.5 ± 1.17 cm for males and 59.7 ± 0.39 cm for females, at 12 months the

values were 69.0 ± 1.34 cm for males and 62.0 ± 0.76 cm for females and for adults the

values were 86.11 ± 2.65 cm for males and 75.89 ± 0.51 cm for females (Singh et al.,

2007 g). Gohilwadi goats had average measurements of 79.23 cm for heart girth (Verma

et al., 2007 a).

Verma et al. (2007 c) described Jakhrana breed and reported chest girth at one

month as 44.37 ± 0.98 cm. In males the chest girth at 3 months, 6 months and in adults

were 57.15 ± 1.38, 65.33 ± 1.83 and 86.01 ± 1.86 cm respectively while the values in

females were 55.27 ± 0.99, 57.58 ± 0.17 and 76.58 ± 0.53 cm respectively.

For Salem Black goats the means for chest girth were 77.7 ± 0.2 cm in six-tooth

males and 84.1 ± 0.5 cm in eight-tooth males; these measurements were 78.3 ± 1.3 cm in

six-tooth females and 82.1 ± 0.4 cm in eight-tooth females (Gopu et al., 2008).

In Beetal breed of goat the morpho-metric measurements recorded by Maroof

Ahmad et al. (2008 a) for chest girth was 83.75 ± 0.63 cm. The values were 34.88 ±

0.50, 42.86 ± 1.00, 48.85 ± 1.16 and 52.35 ± 1.20 cm in male and 34.36 ± 1.00, 41.92 ±

0.98, 44.83 ± 1.08 and 51.08 ± 0.90 cm in female at birth, 1, 2 and 3-month of age

respectively (Maroof Ahmad et al., 2008 b).

Ravimurugan et al. (2008) observed the overall means for heart girth in male as

70.08 ± 0.05 cm in Pallai Adu breed of goat. The corresponding value in females was

68.05 ± 0.04 cm. Singh Bariah et al. (2008) observed, in indigenous goats of Keonjhar

26

district of Orissa, that the heart girth was 55.23 ± 0.13 cm in males and 53.45 ± 0.16 cm

in females.

2.5 Production Parameters in goats

Earlier reports on milk production, lactation length, milk composition in various

breeds of goats have been reviewed.

2.5.1 Milk

In Marwari goats the average lactation yield was found to be 81.27 ± 7.23, 83.74

± 5.45, 85.95 ± 4.92 and 88.52 ± 6.11 kg for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th lactations respectively

(Mittal, 1988) while the mean value for 150 days milk yield was 93.65 ± 3.99 kg, Overall

mean for lactation milk yield was 110.14 ± 4.94 kg (Rai et al., 2001 a). Gahlot et al.

(2004) reported an average daily milk yield of 0.922 kg, while Dixit et al. (2007)

observed the same to be between 0.5 and 1.0 kg.

The average milk production in Barbari was 0.693 ± 0.13 liters/day (Deoghare

and Khan, 1999), the average milk yield per week in Assam local and Beetal x Assam

local crossbreds were 434.75 ± 54.27 and 809.06 ± 64.23 ml/week respectively (Saikia et

al., 2000). In Sirohi breed the milk yield for 180 days was 249.0 ± 4.9 kg (Mehta and

Sushil Kumar, 2004) while the milk yield at 90 and 150 days were 40.02 and 64.09 liters

respectively. The peak yield was 618.21 ml (Pathodiya et al., 2004 a).

For Malabari goat breed of Kerala the average milk production during early, mid

and late lactations were 720 ± 13, 490 ± 16 and 378 ± 24 ml respectively (Raghavan et

al., 2004), the mean peak yield of milk being 512 ml (Raghavan et al., 2007).

Milk yields of 70, 150, 200 and 270 pounds in 30, 60, 90 and 120 days with

average lactation length of 260 days were recorded by Rout et al., (2007) in Jamunapari.

The overall means for test day milk yield and estimated lactation milk yield was 0.51 kg

and 54.30 kg respectively in Osmanabadi (Mandakmale et al., 2007 e). The overall

27

means for daily milk production was 0.910 liters. The parity wise overall daily average

milk yield in 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th and 5th lactations were observed to be 0.899, 1.220, 0.906,

0.830 and 0.950 liters respectively in Mehsana (Singh et al., 2007 e). Gohilwadi goats

can yield up to 3 liters of milk per day (Verma et al., 2007 a), while an average test day

yield of 3.31 ± 0.10 kg was recorded by Verma et al., (2007 c) in Jakhrana. In Surti the

milk production was found to range from 1.5 to 4 l/day (Dixit et al., 2008).

2.5.2 Lactation length

Deoghare and Khan (1999) observed 148.33 ± 0.13 days of lactation length,

whereas Mehta and Sushil Kumar (2004) observed it to be 180 days in Barbari goats.

The overall mean lactation length was 105.90 days in Osmanabadi (Mandakmale et al.,

2007 e), 260 days in Jamunapari (Rout et al., 2007) and 162.08±4.85 days in Jakhrana

(Bhusan and Rai, 2008).

2.5.3 Milk Composition

For Marwari goats the milk composition of total solids, fat, protein, lactose and

chlorides were observed as 14.57± 0.58, 4.10 ± 0.17, 3.34 ± 0.05, 4.34 ± 0.09 and 0.24 ±

0.02 per cent respectively (Mittal, 1988) while Dixit et al. (2007) reported various milk

components like fat, Solids not fat, total solids and protein% as 4.15, 8.9 to 1.3, 13 to

17.1 and 3.3 to 3.4 per cent, respectively.

The average composition of milk for total solids, fat, protein, lactose and ash in

Assam local breed were 15.77 ± 0.18, 6.58 ± 0.09, 3.87 ± 0.04, 4.60 ± 0.12 and 0.66 ±

0.01 per cent respectively while for Beetal x Assam local crossbreds the values were

14.92 ± 0.23, 5.87 ± 0.08, 3.79 ± 0.08, 4.64 ± 0.10 and 0.64 ± 0.01 per cent respectively

(Saikia et al., 2000). The average protein content of milk of 2.9%, 3.2% and 3.8% in

early, middle and late lactation respectively were reported by Rout et al. (2007) for

Jamunapari goats. Singh et al. (2007 e) observed the monthly fat% and found lowest

28

percentage in second month (3.19 ± 0.02%) of lactation and highest in fifth month (3.43

± 0.03%), while overall average SNF was observed to be 8.64 ± 0.03% for Mehsana

goat. Verma et al. (2007 c) reported fat, Solids not fat, total solids and protein to be 5.06

±0.24, 8.60 ± 0.10, 13.55 ± 0.26 and 3.70 ±0.02 per cent respectively in milk of Jakhrana

breed.

2.6 Reproduction Parameters in goats

Literature on age at first estrous, age at first kidding, kidding interval, gestation

length and litter size in various breeds of goats have been reviewed.

2.6.1 Age at first estrous

In Marwari breed the age at puberty was 305.99 ± 1.99 days (Gahlot et al., 2004)

and the doe and buck showed sexual maturity at 9-12 and 6-10 months of age

respectively (Dixit et al., 2007). For Malabari goat breed of Kerala the average age at

first estrous was 8.04 ± 0.02 months (Raghavan et al., 2004) and the male started

breeding at 9-12 months (Verma et al., 2007 b).

First heat was observed at 475.0 ± 6.3 days in Ganjam goats of Orissa, at 283.2 ±

5.2 days in Bengal type goats of Orissa and at 279.65 ± 20.33 days in Ghumsur goats

(Rao and Patro, 2004). In Chegu goats of Himachal Pradesh the age at first conception

was 18 months (Thakur, 2004). For Osmanabadi goats, under field conditions, the age at

puberty was 214.63 ± 1.54 days (Mandakmale et al., 2007 d). In Jamunapari goats age at

first conception was about 559 ± 20.1 days (Rout et al., 2000) and at 18 months (Rout et

al., 2007), while in Salem Black goats the age at first mating was 10.28 months (Gopu et

al., 2008). Ravimurugan et al. (2008) observed, in Pallai Adu goat, the overall mean for

age at maturity as 250.56 ± 19.33 days.

29

2.6.2 Age at first kidding

The age at first kidding in Marwari was observed to be 470.25 ± 2.70 days

(Gahlot et al., 2004). In Sirohi first kidding ranged from 284.04 days (Pathodiya et al.,

2004 a) to 679.60 ± 70.48 days (Swami et al., 2006 b). In Malabari it was observed to be

13.72 ± 0.10 months (Raghavan et al., 2004) and 531 days (Raghavan et al., 2007). In

Ganjam goats of Orissa the age at first kidding was 657.1 ± 7.2 days, for Bengal type

goats of Orissa it was 472.3 ± 5.3 days and for Ghumsur goats of Orissa it was 445.03 ±

1.59 days (Rao and Patro, 2004). Mandakmale et al. (2007 b) observed the age at first

kidding of 377.15 ± 2.67 days in Osmanabadi goats under field conditions. In

Jamunapari goats first kidding was 700 ± 9.1 days (Rout et al., 2000), observed at 23

months (Rout et al., 2007) while in the Gohilwadi goats it was found to be 2 ½ years

(Verma et al., 2007 a). In Salem Black goats it was 15.23 months (Gopu et al., 2008) and

in Pallai Adu goats the overall mean for age first kidding as 400.30 ± 2.95 days

(Ravimurugan et al., 2008).

2.6.3 Kidding Interval

In Marwari breed the kidding interval was found to be 313.40 ± 0.80 days

(Gahlot et al., 2004) and varied from 250 to 254 days (Dixit et al., 2007). In Sirohi goats,

the kidding interval was observed to be 430.75 (Pathodiya et al., 2004 a), 306.07 ± 2.46

days (Pathodiya et al,. 2004 b) and 364.82 ± 24.80 days (Swami et al., 2006 b).

Raghavan et al. (2004) reported the average kidding interval as 9.47 ± 0.11

months in Malabari goat breed of Kerala while Raghavan et al. (2007) recorded kidding

interval as 315 days.

The kidding interval was observed to be 365.2 ± 7.2 days in Ganjam goats, 207.3

± 3.4 days in Bengal type goats and 201.77 ± 0.59 days in Ghumsur goats of Orissa (Rao

30

and Patro, 2004). In Osmanabadi goats, under field conditions, the kidding interval was

found to be 219.92 ± 0.75 days (Mandakmale et al., 2007 b).

The inter kidding period observed in Jamunapari by Rout et al. (2000) was 335 ±

6.1 days and by Rout et al. (2007) as 11 months, while Bhusan and Rai (2008) observed

kidding interval of 322.00 ± 25.61 days in Jakhrana breed. Ravimurugan et al. (2008)

observed, in Pallai Adu goat, the overall mean for kidding interval as 400.30 ± 2.95 days.

2.6.4 Gestation Length

The gestation period was recorded as 150.08 days by Pathodiya et al. (2004 a)

and as 146.23 ± 0.49 days by Swami et al. (2006 b) in Sirohi goats. In Ganjam goats

gestation length was 148.26 ± 0.31 days, in Bengal type goats of Orissa it was 146.27 ±

0.37 days and in Ghumsur goats of Orissa it was 145.03 ± 0.48 days (Rao and Patro,

2004).

Mandakmale et al. (2007 b) observed the gestation period to be 149.96 ± 0.82

days for Osmanabadi goats under field conditions and Bhusan and Rai (2008) found it to

be 151.33 ± 1.48days in Jakhrana.

2.6.5 Litter size

A kidding percent of 93.75 and twinning percent of 5.02 was observed by Mittal

(1988) in Marwari goats. Gahlot et al. (2004) found singles, twins and triplets in

Marwari goats to be 89.16, 10.56 and 0.28 percent respectively. Dixit et al. (2007)

reported 10% twinning and kidding percentage between 80 to 90 percent. In Sangamneri

breed 99.7% kidding, 53.4% twins and 25% triplets were observed and average litter

size was 1.55 ± 0.01 (Misra and Koratkar, 1994). In Sirohi goats the single, twins and

triplets were 84.83, 14.94 and 0.23 percent respectively (Pathodiya et al., 2004 a). In

Malabari goats incidence of multiple births was 32, 54, 13 and 1% for singles, twins,

triplets and quadruplets respectively and mean litter size at birth was 1.98 ± 0.08

31

(Raghavan et al., 2004). Raghavan et al. (2007) found the incidence of multiple births in

Malabari goats to be 72.14, 25.39, 2.17 and 0.30 per cent for singles, twins, triplets and

quadruplets respectively. Verma et al. (2007 b) observed 50% twinning, 25% triplets and

5% tetraplets in Malabari breed of goat.

In Chegu goats multiple births were rare (Thakur, 2004). In Jamunapari twinning

was 52% and triplets and quadruplets were common (Rout et al., 2007). In Gohilwadi

goats twinning was reported to be 40-50% (Verma et al., 2007 a). Percentage of twins

born in Jakhrana flock was 57.04 (Bhusan and Rai, 2008). For Surti goats twins were

born to majority of does (50-60%), and triplets were rare (5%) and the mean litter size of

the does pooled over parities was 1.48 ± 0.13 and the incidence of multiple births was

37.5 % (Dixit et al., 2008). The percent of twinning in Osmanabadi goats was found to

be 54.83 while single kidding was 45.17 per cent (Motghare et al., 2008).

2.7 Prediction equation for estimating body weight

Body measurements have been used to predict body weight by several authors in

many breeds of Indian goats (Bhattacharya et al., 1984 in Black Bengal goats, Das et al.,

(1990) in Barbari and Jamunapari goats, Prasad et al., (1990) in Nellore sheep, Singh and

Mishra (2004) in Barbari goats, Tandon (1965) in Beetal goats and Ulaganathan et al.,

(1992) in local goats, Slippers et al. (2000) in Sahel goats of Nigeria and Nguni goats

and in West African Dwarf goats by Mayaka et al. (1995).

Bhattacharya et al. (1984) observed the relationship between body weight, heart

girth and length or body weight, heart girth and circumference of neck to be the best

prediction equation for body weight estimation in Black Bengal goats.

Prediction equations for body weights based on four body measurements for

Jamunapari and Barbari kids at birth, three months and six months were reported by Das

et al. (1990) and observed that fitting of hip measurements over length, height and heart

32

girth caused a minor non-significant change in R2 value indicating that hip measurement

was not a good predictor of body weight in growing kids. Linear body measurements

were also found to be poor predictors of body weight at birth. The combination of heart

girth and height was better predictor for body weight at 3 and 6 months. The R2 value for

combining length, height and heart girth was around 87-88 per cent in both breeds.

Thiruvenkadan (2005) observed in Kanni Adu goats that body weight had higher

association with heart girth than with length or height. The chest girth alone or a

combination of three measurements could be used for prediction of body weight. It was

also reported that coefficient of determination between 0-12 months age groups were

higher than between weight at 0-3, more than 3 to 6, more than 6 to 9 and more than 9 to

12 months age groups separately.