Reproductive performance and kid growth until weaning in Hair goat reared on-farm conditions in Turkey

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the growth traits, survival rates, and some reproductive traits of Hair kids reared onfarm in Antalya province of Turkey. The data concerning the birth weights of totally 22,817 kids and the 90th day live weights of totally 21643 kids were taken for a 5-year period within the scope of this study. In 37 flocks, the mean birth weights of the kids born in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 were determined as 3.38, 3.41, 3.26, 3.32, and 3.26 kg, and also the mean live weights of 90th day (weaning) were found as 16.96 kg, 18.33 kg, 17.43 kg, 17.47 kg, and 17.53 by the years, respectively. The differences between the birth year, sex, type of birth, and the dam's age groups were statistically significant in terms of birth weight and 90th day live weight (P < 0.05). The survival rates of the kids on the 90th day were 96.44%, 92.70%, 94.06%, 94.31%, and 97.02% by the years (P < 0.05). In the study, the twin birth rate was 5.1% in general. It was revealed based on five-year data that Hair goats had adaptation to the region and breeding system with their survival rate exceeding 90%.