Effects of supplementing olive pomace as a feed additive on weight gain in Capris aegagrus hircus

Sindh province is harbor of maximum goat breeds in Pakistan. However, there is scarcity of information regarding the indigenous goat breeds of Sindh province on morphometric measurements and weight. Therefore, the current study was designed to study the effects of age, sex, and breed on body weight and body measurements of ten goat breeds in their respective breeding tracts. A survey was performed in breeding tracts of ten goat breeds of Sindh viz. Kamori, Tapri, Bugi- Turi, Pateri, Kachan, Jattan, Lohri, Chappar, Barri, and Thari. During the current study HyderAbad, Matiyari, Hala, Methi, Umer kot, Tharparkar, Thatha, Badin, Dadu, and Mirpur Khas districts of Sindh province were visited. Data were collected and arranged according to age class (class 1: 1-6 mo, class 2: 7-12months, class 3: 13-18 mo, class 4: 19-24 mo, class 5: 25-36 mo, class 6; 37-48 mo, class 7: 49-60 mo, class 8: > 60 mo), sex, and breed. Data were analyzed using Mixed Procedure by REML methodology in SAS (Version 9.2) to investigate the effect of breed, age, and sex on body weight and body measurements. Overall breeds did differ for live body weight, heart girth, length, height, and chest length (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference among breeds in term of pubic bone length (P < 0.05). Kamori had mean body weight of 67.58 ± 1.41 kg, followed by Pateri (50.01 ± 1.50kg), Bugi- Turi (44.13 ± 1.33kg), Barri (43.50 ± 1.60kg), Kachan (42.50 ± 1.60kg), Tapri (39.33 ± 1.55kg), Jattan (38.63 ± 1.51kg), Chappar (38.03 ± 1.49kg), Lohri (35.41 ± 1.60kg), and Thari (33.94 ± 1.45kg). There was significant difference among age class for all the body measurement and body weight (P < 0.05) except for pubic bone length. Overall male goats showed higher body weight and height. The present study revealed variations in body measurements and body weight across age, sex, and breed in Sindh for the first time. As goats are mainly raised for meat production in the area, Kamori goat showed highest body weight followed by Pateri, Bugi- Turi, Barri, Kachan, Tapri, Jattan, Chappar, Lohri, and Thari. Moreover, if breeds are to selected for mutton based on body weight, then Kamori are followed by Pateri, Bugi-Turi, Barri, Kachan, Tapri, Jattan, Chappar, Lohri, and Thari. This could be useful information if a selection program is to be launched in the future to improve meat production in the province.