Effect of Weaning Age on the Performance of Goat Kids in Mizoram

Background: The goat population in the North East Hill region is approximately 4.37 million, with Assam being the major contributor (6,169,193), while Mizoram accounts for 14,820 goats. Goats are a vital livelihood source for the region’s people, with chevon being a preferred meat over pork and beef. Despite its potential, goat farming faces challenges such as inadequate feeding practices, limited grazing land and a significant gap between meat production and demand. Methods: This study evaluated the effects of weaning age on the growth performance of 24 local nondescript goat kids (aged 0-3 months) reared under the agro-climatic conditions of Mizoram. Over a 90-day period at the Goat Unit, Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, Aizawl, the kids were divided into three treatment groups (T1, T2, T3) with eight animals each. In T1, kids were kept with their mothers for 90 days. In T2, kids were weaned at 60 days and fed cow milk at 1/14th of their body weight, while T3 kids were weaned at 45 days and fed cow milk at 1/12th of their body weight until day 60, then at 1/14th until day 90. All kids were given ad libitum access to creep feed and fodder starting on day 15. Total income from live weight gain was calculated considering total cost of feed and milk provided. Result: The production economy of three treatment groups (T1, T2, T3) was analyzed. Initial average body weights were 1.26 kg (T1), 1.31 kg (T2) and 1.27 kg (T3), increased to 5.86 kg, 6.08 kg and 5.9 kg, respectively. Feed and fodder costs were Rs. 115.51 (T1), Rs. 116.45 (T2) and Rs. 114.45 (T3), with total intake of 3.176 kg, 3.202 kg and 3.147 kg per head. Income from live weight gain was highest in T1 (Rs. 1724) but lower in T2 (Rs. 1280.79) and T3 (Rs. 981.54) due to additional cow milk costs.