Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

Author(s):
S Sahoo, CP Ghosh and S Datta

Abstract:
The present experiment was designed to study the post partum changes of BCS (Body Condition Score) and effect of BCS at kidding, on birth and weaning weight of kids in Ganjam goat. The study was conducted on Ganjam does which were maintained in the farmers home in the villages of Nayagarh district, Odisha. The forty five does were selected and allotted to 3 groups (Group I–BCS: 2.00-2.50, Group II – BCS: 3.00 - 3.50 and Group III – BCS: 4.00-4.50) based on BCS at kidding (BCSK). The BCS of does were recorded at 15 days before kidding, on the day of kidding and 15 days intervals up to 2 month post kidding. The does were selected within age group of 3-4 years and completed at least one kidding. A BCS scale of 1 to 5 with 0.5 increments was used to score the does. The mean BCS, BWT, PS, HW, HG, AG, TC of BCS group I are 2.17, 19.28 kg, 54.33 cm, 58.27 cm, 61.43 cm, 76.43 cm, 26.00 cm respectively, for BCS group II are 3.30, 27.97 kg, 59.53 cm, 63.87 cm, 70.93 cm, 88.07 cm, 28.47 cm and for BCS group III are 4.17, 32.48 kg, 63.33 cm, 67.00cm, 74.40 cm, 94.67 cm, 29.07 cm respectively. The entire BCS group initially showed loss of BCS and BWT during initial post kidding period (up to 45 days) then start to rejuvenate although goat having low BCS (below 3.0) finished with low overall BCS & BWT at the end of study. The birth weight and weaning weight of kids were significantly higher (p<0.05) in group III (2.94 & 8.08 Kg) compare to moderate (2.65 & 7.02 Kg) and low BCS group (2.26 & 5.72 Kg). The highest diseases were occurred in low BCS group followed by higher and moderate BCS group. Goats of BCS 3.0 or 3.5 at the time of kidding had lower disease incidence rate at early lactation period than goats with higher or lower BCS. The goat should never be over (>3.5) or under (<2.5) conditioned during dry period. Hence goats with BCS below 2.5 should have provision of extra/additional feeding in order to improve their condition for their better post kidding health perspective.