Evaluation of Growth Rate of Sudan Nubian and Crossbred Kids

Abstract

Forty, one-day old, Nubian and Nubian x Saanen kids were used in a completely randomized block design to investigate the effect of breed and sex of kid on growth performance. The growth performance was monitored by birth weights and average daily and monthly weight gains from birth up to the 7th month of age. The kids were allowed free suckling for the first four weeks of age, then twice daily until weaning at the 10th week of age. A starter ration was offered adlibitum starting from the 4th week through the 7th month of age. The results indicated nonsignificant effect of both breed and sex on birth weight and monthly weights throughout the study period. The dry matter intake (DMI) of Nubian females was significantly (P<0.05) less than Nubian male kids during the growth period 5-10 and 21-28 weeks of age. The DMI of crossbred male and female kids was similar. Sex and breed had no effect on average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) throughout the study period. However, the FCR declined dramatically during the 11th to 20th week of age, which coincided with post-weaning period. Despite the nonsignificant effect of 50% crossing on the studied traits, crossing appeared to favour a higher growth rate which may, with improved management, shorten the period to slaughter weights and economize rearing costs of kids.