Genetic and non-genetic parameters of Kleiber ratio in Pantja goat under field conditions of Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Abstract

A study was conducted to estimate the Kleiber ratio of 805 Pantja kids of 514 goats sired by 26 bucks maintained by registered farmers under All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Goats (Pantja field unit) during 2015-16. The overall least-squares mean and their standard error for Kleiber ratio at 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months of age were 15.29±0.16, 5.50±0.15, 4.24±0.09 and 3.53±0.37 g respectively. The random effect of sire had a highly significant effect on KR 1 (0-3 months) and KR 2 (3-6 months) whereas, the effect was significant on KR 3 (6-9 months) and KR 4 (9-12 months). The heritability estimate for Kleiber ratio was 0.28±0.09, 0.27±0.09, 0.22±0.08 and 0.04±0.03 at 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months of age respectively. Most of the genetic and phenotypic correlations of Kleiber ratio were negative between different periods. It may be concluded that the pre-weaning Kleiber ratio was higher which indicated that the kids were given full care during this period. The post-weaning Kleiber ratio can be improved through better management of kids after weaning.