Effects of Breeding Practice and Sex on Growth of Black Bengal Goats under Village Conditions of West Bengal

Abstract

The growth performance of Black Bengal goats  reared under village condition of West Bengal  was studied. The overall growth rate from first  week to 24th weeks of age was found to be 42.88  g/day. The growth rate of first three weeks of age  ranged from 49.3 to 71.83 g/day. The lowest  growth rate was observed in between 8 and 13  weeks of age. Further observation revealed that  the overall growth rate up to 24th weeks was  almost similar in both treatment (44.09 ± 2.14  g/day) and control groups (43.05 ± 1.95 g/day).  The pattern of growth rate of first two weeks was  higher in both the groups. Males were found to be  higher daily gain in body weight (48.62 ± 1.98  g/day) than females (37.60 ± 1.67g/day). The  growth rate according to sex was found to differ  significantly (p<0.01).