Study of post-weaning growth of F¹ and F² backcrosses of goats managed on different humid tropical environments

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the post-weaning growth performance of Nigeria crossbred goats from weaning to 60 weeks of age under different seasons. The results revealed that season of rearing had significant (P<0.05) effect on the post weaning live body weight of the animals. As growth progressed, kids raised in late rainy (July - September) and early dry season (October - December) had the heaviest body weight. The post weaning weight were significantly higher in RSG x F¹ than in WADG x RSG in late rainy and early dry seasons which were maintained till the end of the study. The early rainy (April - June) and late dry (January – March) season had comparable effect on weights, which are inferior (P>0.05) to other seasons. It could be concluded from the findings that the best season for post – weaning rearing is late rainy and early dry season.

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(2) 2006: 48-51