Only 50-60% of Apuan Alps goat population, kept on pasture, reachs puberty within the first year of life. To increase this percentage a feeding trial was carried out. Twelve goats were divided into two groups homogeneous for birth weight (P: 2.38±0.12 kg; S: 2.38±0.11 kg). Goats of group P were fed mother's milk and supplemented with alfalfa hay and maize grain until the age of 90 days. Then they were kept on pasture at 500-1700m a.s.l. in Apuan Alps park. Goats of group S were kept indoor and fed replaced milk and supplemented with alfalfa hay and mixed feed (16.5% CP) until the age of 90 days. Then they were fed alfalfa hay and thesame mixed feed. All animals were weighed every 15 days until the end of the trial at 8 months of age. The data analysis showed a significant (P=0.017; SEM=1.46) final live weight differences between animals of group P (26.2 kg) and group S (32.2 kg). Average daily gain of group S (113 g/d) was significant higher (P<0.0001; SEM=7.1) than that of group P (97 g/d). Puberty age was reached only by 4 animals of group P (287±6.4 d) and by all animals of group S (246±9.4 d). All these animals were pregnant and gave birth except a subject of group P that aborted late. The trial showed a positive effect of intensive feeding on the number of animals reaching puberty during the first year of age.
Effects of different feeding systems of Apuan Alps goat population on growth rate and puberty age
LIPONI, GIAN BATTISTA;CASINI, LUCIA;GATTA, DOMENICO
2011-01-01
Abstract
Only 50-60% of Apuan Alps goat population, kept on pasture, reachs puberty within the first year of life. To increase this percentage a feeding trial was carried out. Twelve goats were divided into two groups homogeneous for birth weight (P: 2.38±0.12 kg; S: 2.38±0.11 kg). Goats of group P were fed mother's milk and supplemented with alfalfa hay and maize grain until the age of 90 days. Then they were kept on pasture at 500-1700m a.s.l. in Apuan Alps park. Goats of group S were kept indoor and fed replaced milk and supplemented with alfalfa hay and mixed feed (16.5% CP) until the age of 90 days. Then they were fed alfalfa hay and thesame mixed feed. All animals were weighed every 15 days until the end of the trial at 8 months of age. The data analysis showed a significant (P=0.017; SEM=1.46) final live weight differences between animals of group P (26.2 kg) and group S (32.2 kg). Average daily gain of group S (113 g/d) was significant higher (P<0.0001; SEM=7.1) than that of group P (97 g/d). Puberty age was reached only by 4 animals of group P (287±6.4 d) and by all animals of group S (246±9.4 d). All these animals were pregnant and gave birth except a subject of group P that aborted late. The trial showed a positive effect of intensive feeding on the number of animals reaching puberty during the first year of age.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
