Effect of different level of concentrate supplementation on the periparturient growth performance of Ganjam goat in extensive system

Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of concentrate supplementation to the pregnant Ganjam goats on their growth performance in periparturient period. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 pregnant Ganjam does of similar body weight, age and parity were divided into three treatment groups with 15 does in each. T-1: normal browsing at range system, T-2: normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @200g/day, T-3: normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @300g/day for 60 days before expected date of kidding. Observations regarding various growth performances were made following standard procedures. Results: Average daily concentrate feed intake for T-2 was 160 g and 225 g for T-3. For the does in T(1,)the body weights ranged from 34.59 +/- 0.75 kg (at the beginning) to 38.29 +/- 0.75 kg (after 60 days of supplementation) while for those in T-2 it increased from 33.91 +/- 0.70 kg to 38.71 +/- 0.64 kg and for T-3 it ranged from 34.05 +/- 0.64 to 39.55 +/- 0.62 kg. The cumulative live weight gain during the period 0-60 days varied significantly among the different treatments with the lowest value in T-1 (3.71 +/- 0.27 kg) to highest value in T73 (5.49 +/- 0.22 kg) although the initial body weights were same. The cumulative body weight gain during 0-90 days postpartum was significantly higher in T-1 (3.13 +/- 0.46 kg) compared to T-3 (2.10 +/- 0.19 kg). Significant difference in average daily gain during prepartum period was found in all groups as 61.78 +/- 4.47, 79.89 +/- 2.20, 91.56 +/- 3.71 for T-1 T-2 and T-3 respectively. The average daily gain of the does during post partum period was 23.33 g (T-3), 24.30 g (T-2) and 34.81 g (T-1) per doe indicating a statistically significant difference among the treatments. Conclusion: It is concluded that on supplementation of concentrate between 160 to 225 g improved both prepartum and postpartum body condition of Ganjam goats.