Growth Performance of Tellicherry Goats in an Organized Farm

The data from 27 male Tellicherry goats and 10 female Tellicherry goats maintained at the Livestock unit of Tamilnadu Agricultural University were taken for the study (Coimbatore, India). The goats were maintained as per the routine feeding and management practices of the farm. The average birth weight recorded was 2.62±5.04 Kg for male and 2.34 ± 0.72 Kg for female kids. The average body weight at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, and 36 months for male and female goats and average daily gain in body weight were calculated respectively. Correlation of age with average body weight (ABW) showed positive correlation (R 2 = 0.99) and were significant at P<0.01, correlation of age with average daily gain (ADG) in body weight was positive. The correlation between the ADG and ABW was positive (R 2 = 0.41) but not significant. Growth Rate and ADG are important traits in livestock production and management and these traits are affected by feeding and management under farm conditions. © 2011 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved