Assessment of the Growth Performance of Indigenous Mubende and Kigezi Goat Kids

Abstract

The study, “Assessment of Growth Performance of Indigenous Mubende and Kigezi Goat Kids,” explored the comparative growth dynamics of these breeds under controlled conditions at Ruhengyere Field Station, Uganda. The main objective was to evaluate their growth rates from birth to sexual maturity. Specific objectives were: To determine the growth rate of indigenous Mubende and Kigezi goat kids, and to assess the factors influencing the growth performance of indigenous Mubende and Kigezi goat kids from birth to sexual maturity. The study employed a completely randomized design (CRD), monitoring 94 goat kids under uniform feeding and management. Data on weight, body measurements (Body length (BL), height at withers (HW), chest girth (CG), chest width (CW), and scrotal circumference (SC),

Live body weight (BW), pre-weaning daily gain (DWG), weaning weight (WW), and post- weaning average daily gain (ADG) and reproductive traits (age at 1st sexual maturity (males &

females)) were analyzed using Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CANDISC) and Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Mubende kids exhibited a higher pre-weaning daily weight gain,peaking at 57.14 g/day at 8 weeks, while Kigezi kids had a slightly lower peak of 53.57 g/day at the same age. At weaning (8 weeks), Mubende kids reached 9.0 kg, whereas Kigezi kids weighed 8.5 kg. Post-weaning, Mubende kids maintained a relatively stable 42.86 g/day weight gain until 24 weeks before experiencing a decline, while Kigezi kids sustained a 35.71 g/day gain up to 34 weeks before gradually decreasing. Additionally, Mubende goats demonstrated better drought and heat tolerance, while Kigezi goats showed resilience in disease-prone, cooler climates, according to quantitative results from goat farmers. The study revealed that Mubende goat kids exhibited superior growth rates and earlier sexual maturity compared to Kigezi kids,

with better drought/heat tolerance, while Kigezi goats demonstrated resilience in disease- prone, cooler climates. To enhance productivity, tailored feeding and genetic research are

advised to optimize breed-specific management.