Growth Performance of Black Bengal Goats in Different Regions of Bangladesh

The growth performance in the first year of life of 892 Black Bengal kids was studied in four different locations in Bangladesh, e. g. (1) Bhabakhali, (2) Trisal, (3) Aishara and (4) Akhrail. Birth weight of kids of region 1, 2 and 3 were almost similar (1.01 kg) with significantly lower birth weight in region 4 (0.88 kg). Effect of birth type and sex were significant with higher weights for single (1.03 kg) v. twin (0.98 kg) v. triplet (0.92 kg) and male kids (1.03 kg) v. female (0.93 kg). Monthly weights of kids followed the same pattern as birth weight. Monthly weights of kids in region 1, 2 and 3 were similar with significantly lower weight for region. 4 Birth type and sex affected monthly weights in different regions where single and male kids had significantly higher weights for all the regions. The analysis of variance reveals that regional significant differences for average daily gains were noticed for the periods from birth to 3 and 9 to 12 months of age. The highest gains were noticed for region 2 ($51.9{\pm}2.4kg$) and the lowest for region 1 ($38.2{\pm}2.3kg$) with similar values for region 4. From the results it is revealed that growth performance of Black Bengal kids varied in different regions, which might be caused by inappropriate management and inadequate feed availability around the year and stressful environmental conditions.