Study of Birth Weight and Post Weaning Growth Rate in Lambs and Kids of Damani Sheep and Damani Goat for Fattening Purpose

Abstract

The present study was designed to estimate the birth weights and post weaning growth rate of the male lambs and kids of Damani Sheep and Damani Goats for fattening purpose, respectively, at Livestock Research and Development Station, Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan. For this purpose, a total of 30 males, including 15 lambs and 15 kids were selected for the study. The animals were raised on local feeding pattern like seasonally cultivated fodder species for grazing (berseem, sorghum, millet etc) and a commercial feed (Shandar wanda) as a supplementary diet. It was found that average birth weights of Damani kids and Damani lambs were 2.71±0.75 and 3.61±0.25 Kg, respectively. Average weaning weights of Damani kids and Damani lambs were 6.50±0.45 and 10.18±0.80 Kg, respectively. Average growth rate of Damani goats for the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th months were 9.16, 12.01, 14.14, 16.30, 18.16 and 23.56, respectively while average growth rate of Damani sheep for the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th months were 13.99, 17.10, 19.86, 22.13, 26 and 30.24, respectively. It was concluded from the study that due to significant (p<0.05) weight gain, the males of Damani sheep and Damani goats can be reared for fattening purpose by the local farmers of Pakistan.