MVSc

The tremendous potential of goat production in Kerala State is
constrained due to the non-availability of meat type of goats suited to our climatic
conditions. Malabari goats native to Kerala and improved Alpine Malabari (AM)
grows to around only 8.5 and 11 kg respectively, imposing severe restrictions on
commercial exploitation of these breeds. Introgression of Boer inheritance into
Australian feral goats has led to the development of Australian goat meat industry
and utilization of Boer goats to improve local goats in Maharashtra has paid rich
dividend. With this background, the present investigation undertaken in Alpine
Malabari crosses (AM) by infusing Boer inheritance was undertaken at
University Goat and Sheep Farm was to evaluate the suitability of Alpine
Malabari x Boer (AMB) crosses as a meat strain suited to Kerala State.
Data on one hundred goat kids, 50 each belonging to 2 genetic groups,
AM and AMB were subjected to least squares analysis to resolve the effect of
genetic group, sire, month of birth and sex on type of birth, litter weight at birth,
birth weight, body weight at first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth month, pre-
weaning mortality, incidence of neonatal diseases, litter size at weaning, average
daily gain in body weight, phenotypic correlation, viability and adaptability.
Average litter size at birth (LSB) among Alpine Malabari (AM) and
,
Alpine Malabari x Boer (AMB) kids was 1.79±0.48. Alpine Malabari kid had a
significantly (P:S0.05) higher litter size ~t birth of 2. I 2±0. I 6. Month of birth had
a highly significant (P~O.OI) effect on litter size at birth with highest litter in
July (2.2±0.17). Sire influences were highly significant on litter size at birth
while sex had no significant influence on litter size at birth. Mean litter weight at
birth was 3.77 kg and it was not found to be significantly affected by genetic
group and sex. Month of birth and sire had highly significant associations with
litter weight at birth.

Alpine Malabari x Boer kids had a highly significant (P::::O.Ol) and higher
body weight from birth to sixth month of age. Body weight in AMB kids was
2.38,6.01, 8.92 and 11.65 kg while AM kids had only 1.8,2.87,3.05 and 4.30 kg
respectively at birth, one, two and three months respectively. Buck had a highly
significant influence on birth weight of kid and body weight at first, second and
third month. Month of birth had a significant influence on birth weight and body
weights at first, second and third month.
Incidence of enteritis was 0.31, respiratory infection 0.08 and pre-
weaning mortality was 0.07. Effects of genetic group and sire were significant on
respiratory infections and not on incidence of enteritis and pre-weaning mortality.
Month of birth did not exert significant influence on respiratory infections,
enteritis or pre-weaning mortality.
The mean body weights at fourth, fifth and sixth month in AM and AMB
crosses were 10.34 kg, 11.96 kg and 13.68 kg respectively. The effect of genetic
group on body weights at fourth, fifth and sixth month was highly significant and
superior in AMB crosses with 13.62 kg, 15.73 kg and 17.79 kg respectively while
it was only 5.76 kg, 5.84 kg and 6.81 kg respectively in AM crosses. Sire effects
were highly significant on the body weights at fourth, fifth and sixth month.
Month of birth contribute to the body weights to a highly significant level and
kids born in April and December were found to have higher body weights from
fourth to fifth month. Sex of the kids was not found to influence the body
weights from fourth to sixth month. The mean average daily gain in body weight
(ADG) from birth to third month was 7r.36 g, from third to sixth month was
65.7 g and birth to sixth month was 66.7 g. AMB crosses had a highly significant
ADG of 104.89 and 86.58 compared to 35.19 and 39.1 g during 0-3 and 0-6
month respectively. Sire influences were highly significant on ADG from 0-3
and 0-6 month. Month of birth had a highly significant effect on ADG and
highest ADG was for kids born during April. Birth weight had a highly
significant positive correlation with average daily gain in body weight from birth
to third month and average daily gain in body weight from birth to sixth month

and body weights from first to sixth month. Correlation between respiratory
infections and pre-weaning mortality were highly significant. Average daily gain
in body weight from birth to third month had a highly significant negative
correlation with respiratory infection and pre-weaning mortality.
Significantly higher litter size at birth in AM crosses over AMB crosses
direct to the feasibility of AM genotype of enhancing litter size at birth which
might partially be also contributed by use of oestrus synchronization on frozen
semen technology in production of AMB crosses. Modulation of litter size at
birth by month of birth reflect on the environmental factors influencing the
ovulation rate, conception rate and embryonic survival. Monthly body weights
from birth to six months was found to be highly superior in AMB crosses
indicating the Boer superiority in enhancing body weights of AMB crosses.
Significant effect of sire on these trait suggest of the additive genetic effect which
might improve body weight in Boer crossbred goats. Contribution of month of
birth on bodyweight probably influenced by ambient temperature, availability of
biomass, offers potential for improvement of these traits by appropriate
managemental strategies. Increased incidence of diseases in AM genetic group
with higher pre-weaning mortality is worth for further investigation. ADG 0-3,
ADG 0-6 were significantly higher in AMB crosses highlighting the importance
of Boer development in improvement of growth rate of goats. The role of month
of birth in variations in ADG partially reflect on the environmental conditions
can adversely affect the growth rate. Phenotypic correlations, which were
positive and highly significant between birth weight, ADG and body weight are
suggestive benefits of early selection on birth weights for enhanced, slaughter
weights. The negative correlation of ADG and incidence of pneumonia, pre-
weaning mortality and enteritis could be used for the development of goats
adapted to local climatic conditions.