Comparative productive and reproductive performance of goats in hot arid rangelands

Abstract

A variation in feed/energy intake affects productive and reproductive traits (Kaushish 1994, Singh 1996). A comparative study was conducted to observe the productive performance of Marwari and Parbatsar, under extensive and semiintensive management, where these animals were maintained on protected Cenchrus spp. grass dominated rangelands. Observations were recorded on 30 Marwari and 20 Parbatsar desert breeds of goats for 5 years (1993-1997). These animals along with their followers were let out for grazing in 2 separate flocks of male and female animals, on protected silvipastoral system for 5-6' hr. The grazing and browsing feed stuff comprised dhaman " Cenchrrus spp. (CP 6.0%) dominated grassland, bushes of bard;: Zizyphus nummularia (CP 12.0%) and main top feed resource tree was khejri : Prosopis cineraria (CP 14.0%). Animals were watered ad lib. daily in the afternoon, before herding them in semi-open enclosures, under loose housing system. Male and female flocks were housed separately. Animals were dewormed before and after rainy season. Lactating animals were supplemented with balanced pelleted concentrate feed (CP 18.0%) only during lean period (April to June) every year@200 g/animal/day. Body weights were recorded regularly at weekly intervals. Test-day milk yield were observed twice weekly to calculate the lactation yield. Milk analysis was done at fortnightly intervals for fat contents. Reproduction and other production parameters were recorded regularly.