Impact of garden land ecosystem on growth, production and reproductive performance of Salem black goats

Natural green pastures, weeds and tree fodders support commercial goat rearing under semi-intensive system. This study, conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu, aimed to assess the growth, production and reproductive performance of Salem black goats reared under a semi-intensive method in the garden land ecosystem. Data were collected from 10 male and 23 female Salem black goats and analysed. Body weight was recorded at birth and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months of age. The mean (±SE) birth weights of male and female kids were 2.45±0.06 Kg and 2.12±0.01 Kg, respectively. The mean (±SE) weaning weights of male and female kids were 11.22±0.36 Kg and 9.56±0.09 Kg, respectively. Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated based on body weight, with the highest ADG recorded at three months of age-108 g/day for males and 77 g/ day for females. The age at first kidding, kidding percentage, kidding rate, twinning percentage and kidding interval of Salem black females were 14.42±0.13 months, 100%, 1.39±0.25, 39.13% and 7.760±0.09 months, respectively. The overall liveability percentage of Salem black goats in the study was 95.03%. The results indicate that Salem black goats perform well under the garden land ecosystem in arid and semi-arid regions.