Savanna Sire Effect on Birth to Weaning Kid Traits and Doe Reproductive Performance in a Subtropical Environment
Abstract
The effects of Savanna sire breed on birth to weaning kid traits and doe reproductive performance in a subtropical environment were studied in two objectives. In Objective 1, Savanna (n = 15), Kiko (n = 12), Spanish (n = 10) sires were bred to produce Savanna × Kiko (n = 515) and Savanna × Spanish (n=396) meat goat kids. The kids were evaluated for breed effects on birth to weaning kid traits across five production years. Birth weights of kids from the Savanna × Kiko (p < 0.001) and Savanna × Spanish diallels (p < 0.01) resulted in Savanna sires produced heavier birth weights than the comparison breeds. Savanna sire breed did not have a significant effect on rates of average daily gain, weaning weight, or kid survival rates. Non-genetic factors such as sex, litter size and age of dam showed significance (p < 0.05) across kid performance traits. For Objective 2, doe performance traits were evaluated using Savanna x Spanish (n = 383) and Savanna x Kiko (n = 464) doe exposure data. Weight and litter characteristics were evaluated for does and classified into breeding, kidding, and weaning populations. Savanna sires produced heavier litters (p < 0.01) at birth across both study diallels. Savanna sire breed did not have a significant effect on kidding rate, litter size at kidding and weaning, and litter weight at weaning for the Savanna x Kiko and Savanna x Spanish diallels. Non-genetic factors, litter size and age of dam showed significant effects (p < 0.05) across doe performance traits. While Savanna sires did positively influence litter and individual birth weights, the improved values did not sustain until weaning. Savanna-sired kids and does serviced by Savanna sires did not exhibit superior reproductive or preweaning performance in a low input management system.
Subject Area
Animal sciences
Recommended Citation
Lauren K Stevens,
"Savanna Sire Effect on Birth to Weaning Kid Traits and Doe Reproductive Performance in a Subtropical Environment"
(2018).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI10978960.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI10978960