Growth performance and carcass traits of Barbari goats under different systems of management

Abstract

An experiment was carried out in Barbari goats at University Research Farm, Madhavaram, Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Barbari kids (24) were selected at random and divided into 3 groups, comprising 8 kids in each group and were reared under intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems of management. Body weight and body measurement were taken
once in a month. Slaughter studies were conducted in animals at 7 and II months of age. Barbari goats maintained under
semi-intensive system recorded significantly (P<0.01) higher body weight (17.66 ± 1.78 kg) and body weight gain/day
(66.22 ± 0.73 g) followed by intensive system and extensive system. In intensive system the Barbari goats recorded the
significantly (P<0.01) higher body length (48.12 ± 1.52 cm) and body height (51.12 ± 1.72 cm) whereas, the heart girth
(57.00 ± 2.13 cm) and panuch girth (62.5 ± 2.78 cm) were higher in semi-intensive system. The superior dressing percentage of 48.62 ± 0.43% was recorded under semi-intensive system and the lowest dressing percentage of 40.55 ± 0.37 under extensive system.