Factors Affecting Instantaneous Relative Growth Rate of Pantja Kids under Range Conditions

A study was conducted to estimate the Instantaneous relative growth rate of 805 Pantja kids born to 514 goats and 26 sires during the year 2015–16 under All India Coordinated Research Project on Goats (Pantja field unit), College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand). The overall least-squares mean for IRGR at 0–3, 3–6, 6–9 and 9–12 months of age were found to be 1.75±0.02, 0.35±0.01, 0.24±0.01 and 0.17±0.01%/day, respectively. The heritability estimate for IRGR was moderate to high during the period of 0–3, 3–6, 6–9 and 9– 12 months of age. It can be concluded that the pre-weaning IRGR was higher which indicated that the kids were given full care during this period. The post-weaning IRGR can be improved through better nutrition and management of kids after weaning. Hence, for higher economic gain selection should be made at earlier age, preferably at 3 to 6 month. Nutritional and managemental interventions are essential to promote growth and earn more profit from goat rearing.