Reproductive Performance of Hair Goat and Growth Traits of Hair Goat and Saanen X Hair (F1) Crossbred Kids in Rural Conditions

Abstract

The goal of this study was to analyse Hair goats' (Turkish Kil goat) reproductive performance and vitality, growth characteristics and some body measurements of Saanen x Hair (F1) crossbred and Hair goat kids raised in rural conditions in Turkey. The study was conducted under rural farm conditions in the province of Amasya in the Middle Black Sea region. Totally 287 goats, 143 does, 2 Hair bucks, 2 Saanen bucks, 37 Hair goat kids and 103 Saanen x Hair F1 crossbred kids were used. Mean reproductive values of the flocks were 9.09% for infertility rate, 90.91% for pregnancy rate, 1.03 for fecundity and 1.13 for prolificacy rate. The live weights for birth, 30th and 75th days were not affected by genotype but live weights of kids were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by sex and birth type. Live weight gain and all the body measurements of kids in various periods were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by sex and birth type. Growth rate of Saanen x Hair Fl crossbred kids were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than Hair goat kids (175.49 g vs 157.57 g; 176.2 g vs 163.3 g) at 30th day and the weaning period (75th day), respectively. Daily weight gain was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by genotype, gender, birth type and dams' age. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in wither height, chest width, chest depth, and chest circumference were noted for crossbred kids at 75th day when compared with the Hair goat kids. Survival rate of Saanen x Hair F1 crossbred kids had higher than those of Hair goat kids at 30th day and 75th day. These results suggest that growth rate and survival rate of kids are influenced from crossbreeding of Saanen dairy goat breed with the indigenous Hair goat breed at a significant level.