Factors affecting pre-weaning relative growth rate (RGR) in 1/2 jamunapari +1/2 black bengal kids

摘要

The variation in RGR in body weight during 0-4 weeks of age due to year of birth, type of birth, birth weight and dams' weight at kidding was significant. While RGR during 4-8 weeks of age varied significantly due to year of birth, season of birth and generation. During 8-12 weeks of age, the effect of dams' weight at kidding on RGR in body weight was significant. However, during 0-12 weeks, it varied significantly due to year of birth, season of birth, birth weight and type of birth. The random effect of sire on RGR in body weight was not significant. Heritability estimates of RGR in pre-weaning body weight (0.06 to 0.11) were low in magnitude. The RGR in 0-4 weeks had positive and significant phenotypic (0.737) and genetic (0.836+-0.386) associations with RGR during 0-12 weeks of age.