Genetic studies on growth traits of Mehsana goat of Gujarat, India

Abstract

Data from Mehsana kids born during the period of 2006 to 2012, maintained at Sheep and Goat Research Station (SGRS), Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat, India, were used to evaluate the effect of various non-genetic factors on the different growth traits. The least squares means of body weights at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months of age were 2.75 ± 0.03, 10.33 ± 0.16, 13.83 ± 0.23, 16.98 ± 0.35 and 20.44 ± 0.31 kg, respectively. The pre-weaning and post-weaning average daily weight gains were 84.75±1.82, and 35.58±0.92 g, respectively. Although year of birth was having highly significant