Effect of vetch (Vicia sativa) hay supplementation to Begait and Abergelle goats in northern Ethiopia: II. Reproduction and growth rate

The study was carried out to assess the effect of vetch hay supplementation on growth rate of goat kids. Kids were allowed to suck their dams freely up to 20 days of age. From day 21 after kidding, complete hand milking once a day during evenings was applied. The kids were allowed to suck for about 2 h after milking, up to day 90, when they were weaned. Vetch hay supplement at 0% BW (treatment 1), 0.5% BW (treatment 2), 1.0% BW (treatment 3) and 1.5% BW (treatment 4) was provided to both dams and kids. Body weights were recorded from birth up to maturity age (at day 270) at every 2 weeks interval.There were significant (P < 0.05) differences in birth weight of kids between the supplemented and non-supplemented group for both breeds and the tendency was consistently in favour of higher levels of supplementation. Weaning weight (at day 90) of the first experimental year was 8.0, 8.3, 9.0 and 10.4 kg for Begait and 6.0, 6.5, 6.8 and 7.2 kg for Abergelle kids and treatments 1–4, respectively. Corresponding figures for the second experimental year were 8.0, 9.2, 10.0, 10.8 and 6.3, 7.0, 8.0, 8.9 kg.Differences (P < 0.05) in weaning weight were found between treatments except in treatments 1 and 2 for both breeds. Mature weight (at day 270) of the first experimental year was 13.9, 14.5, 17.5 and 18.2 kg for Begait kids and 10.5, 13.3, 15.4 and 16.3 kg for Abergelle kids on treatments 1–4, respectively. Corresponding figures for the second experimental year were 14.7, 15.2, 16.4, 19.1 and 11.3, 13.5, 15.5, 16.4 kg. Differences (P < 0.05) in maturity weight between treatments for both Begait and Abergelle goats in both years were observed. Weight at 90 and 270 days of age increased significantly by increasing level of supplementation in both breeds and both years. Begait kids were heavier than Abergelle kids at all stages.