Effect of pre-and post-partum feed supplementation of Maraz does on the productive performance of their offspring

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the impact of maternal pre-and post-partum feed supplementation, under farm conditions, on goat kid's growth, follicle traits and fiber production. The design of experiment was supplementation from 2 months pre-partum to 2 months post-partum with 3 nutritional groups (8 does each). The first does group (GI) was fed black barley at 250 g/doe/day (traditional farmer’s practice), whereas does of the second (GII) and third (GIII) groups were fed concentrate diet at 500 and 750 g/doe/day, respectively. Results revealed that birth weight from GII and GIII was significantly (P<0.05) higher by 22% (2.3 vs. 1.8 kg) than that of GI. Weaning weight and marketable live weight traits, growth rates, follicle traits except primary follicles, and fiber characteristics were significantly (P<0.05) higher in (GIII) followed by (GII) and then (GI). Moreover, goat kids of the GIII attained significantly (P<0.05) 37% (16.9 vs. 10.7 kg) and 26% (16.9 vs. 12.5 kg) more marketable live weight compared with GI and GII, respectively. Also, goat kids of the GIII produced 32% (813.3 vs. 553.3 g; P<0.05) and14% (813.3 vs. 703.3 g; P>0.05) higher fleece weight than that of GI and GII, respectively. Additionally, body weight traits, growth rates, and fiber characteristics were significantly (P<0.05) affected by sex of birth. In conclusion, supplementation with an increased level of feeding concentrate pre-and post-partum of Maraz goats showed a significant (P<0.05) positive effect on productive performance of their kids in comparison to the traditional farmer’s practice.