Evaluation of Water and Feed Intake and Growth Performance of Goat (Capra hircus) at High Altitude

At high altitude, due to extreme climatic conditions, high altitude (HA) stress coupled with poor nutritional status adversely affects the animal's health and productivity. These poor health and low productivity may be due to poor feed and water intake that affect animal metabolism and thereafter their animal's performance. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to know daily water and feed intake, and growth performance of native and exotic goat of plain areas at high altitude (Leh-Ladakh; 11500 ft above from mean sea level) under semi-intensive rearing system. For this, eight adult female of each breed viz. Sirohi, Black Bengal (exotic breed from plain areas), and Changthangi goat (native breed) were selected from newly introduced flocks of animals. All the animals were observed for weekly water and feed intake and fortnightly gain in body weight up to eight weeks period. Result indicated significantly (P < 0.05) higher water and feed intake and body weight gain during the entire period of experiment in Changthangi goat as compared to Sirohi and Black Bengal goats. There was no difference in water intake per kilogram feed intake among the breeds. Similarly, there were no significant change in daily and weekly water and feed intake between Sirohi and Black Bengal goats. Whereas, significantly (P < 0.05) higher total weight gain was recorded in Sirohi as compared to Black Bengal goats during the entire experimental period and at fortnightly interval. Interestingly, there was no significant change in daily gain in body weight among the breeds. These findings indicate the adverse effect of high altitude stress on water and feed intake and growth performance of exotic goat breeds at high altitude. This study will help in farm management (feeding/watering) of exotic goats reared at high altitude and ration/feed formulation for optimum productivity.