Variance components and genetic parameter estimates for pre-weaning and post-weaning growth traits in Jakhrana goat

The aim of the present study was to estimate the variance components and genetic parameters for pre-weaning [weight at birth (BWT), weight at 3 months (WT3), average daily gain from birth to 3 months (ADG1) and Kleiber's ratio (KR1:ADG1/WT3(0.75))] and post-weaning [weight at 6 months (WT6), average daily gain from 3 to 6 months (ADG2) and Kleiber's ratio (KR2:ADG2/WT6(0.75)), weight at 9 months (WT9), weight at 12 months (WT12)] traits in 300 Jakhrana kids born between 2005 to 2019 years. The parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood procedure under six animal models excluding or including maternal effects. The estimates of direct heritability for pre-weaning weights viz., BWT, WT3, ADG1 and KR1 under most suitable model were low and observed as 0.09, 0.21, 0.17 and 0.06 respectively. The maternal permanent effects for BWT was observed high as 18 % of total variation, indicating the significance of maternal environment at birth of kid. In case of post-weaning weights, high estimates of direct heritability were found for WT6 (0.53), ADG2 (0.56) and KR2 (0.42), while it was low for WT9 (0.07) and WT12(0.16). The genetic correlations were ranged medium to high among all traits. The greater genetic variability of WT6 and its positive genetic associations with other traits indicated future scope for additional genetic improvement in growth performance in Jakhrana goat through selection.