Effect of quantitative feed restriction and realimentation on growth, carcass traits and economics in stallfed Barbari kids

Abstract

Four months old 24 Barbari kids were allotted randomly to ad lib. feeding up to 12 months age, 20% (mild) and 40% (moderate) feed restriction at 5th and 6th months (MMFR) and 20, 40, 60% (severe) feed restriction (MMSFR) each of 20 days duration during 5th and 6th months followed by realimentation up to 12 months age. At the end of realimentation, 4 kids from three groups were slaughtered and carcass traits evaluated along with its economics. The kids did not differ significantly in growth and carcass traits. Body weight change indicated that the occurrence of compensatory growth in feed restricted kids proportional to body weight loss occurred during restriction. The feed cost/kg gain was lowest in MMSFR kids followed by ad lib. fed and MMFR kids. Therefore, stallfed Barbari kids shall easily be maintained up to 60% lower feed for 60 days thereby increasing the profit of stallfed kid rearing.

Keywords

• Barbari goat kids
• Carcass traits
• Feed restriction
• Growth
• Stall feeding