BODY GROWTH OF GOAT KIDS IN ORGANIC FARMING
Zvonko Antunović, Josip Novoselec, Željka Klir
Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek, University of J.J. Strossmayer, Department of Animal Science,
P. Svačića 1d, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
zantunovic@pfos.hr
The aim of this research was to determine the growth and development of goat kids from organic farming during the period of suckling and fattening. The research was conducted on organic farm with 15 goat kids French Alpine breed, during the suckling period (from kidding to 75 days) and the beginning of the fattening period (during the first 20th day of fattening). Goat kids were weighed at birth, 15, 45 and 75 days in the period of suckling, when weaning followed, and at the age of 95 days of fattening. Goat kids were fed a mixture of concentrated feed (50% barley, 30% corn, 10% wheat and 10% sunflower meal) and alfalfa hay ad libitum, while during the period of suckling. Goat kids were suckling ad libitum. Rearing and feeding of goat kids were in accordance with the Regulations on organic livestock production. Immediately after weighing goat kids were taken body measures (height of withers, trunk length, circumference and width of chest, circumference and leg length and cannon bone circumference), body condition scores and were calculated indices of anamorphosis and body proportions as well as daily gain. The determined body weight (from 4.39 kg to 15.72 kg) respectively, 18.82 kg) and daily gain (151 g or 155 g) of goat kids in suckling period and the beginning of the fattening period and indicate the satisfied result of feeding and rearing in the organic conditions. With increasing the age of goat kids body weight was growing, as well as daily gain and body condition scores (from 2.53 to 2.89), anamorphosis indices (from 45.00 to 61.87) and body proportions (from 16.71 to 32.96). Determined indicators of growth and development of goat kids show satisfactory rearing conditions in organic farming.
Keywords: goat kids; body growth; organic farming
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