Characteristics and production performance of Tianfu goat, a new breed population

Characteristics and performance of Tianfu goat, a new meat goat population resulting from Chengdu Ma goats crossbred with Saanen, Toggenburg, Nubian and Boer goats, were revealed in the study. The results showed that this population has a physique good for mutton production. The average body weights (BW) at 6 months and adult were 29 kg and 77 kg for males, 26 kg and 54 kg respectively for females. Pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG0–60) and post-weaning average daily gain (ADG60–180) were 173 g/d and 127 g/d for males, 146 g/d and 119 g/d for females. The growth inflection points of age and BW were 5 months and 24 kg for males, 4 months and 19 kg for females. The average live weight, dressed weight and dressing percentage of castrated males slaughtered at 6 months and 12 months were 27 kg, 14 kg, 50% and 41 kg, 21 kg, 52% respectively. By crossbreeding with Tianfu goats, performance of indigenous goats was improved by 24–51%. Comparative study showed the breed has excellent production performance with magnificent prospect for promotion of the mutton supply in China.