A Comparative Analysis of Growth Performance in Post-Weaning Saanen Kids and Barbados Blackbelly Lambs
A Comparative Analysis of Growth Performance in Post-Weaning Saanen Kids and Barbados Blackbelly Lambs
Noor Syaheera Ibrahim1*, Nurafizah Ahamad1, Nur Shuhaidah Ainaa Rosli1, Nur Athiqah Md Yusof1, Ernie Muneerah Mohd Adhan2
ABSTRACT
Live weight is a common measurement used to evaluate the growth performance of livestock and to construct their growth curves. The present study aims to assess the live weight and growth performance of post-weaning male and female crossbred Saanen kids and Barbados Blackbelly (BBB) lambs, comparing their average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Observations were conducted over a six-week period at UniSZA Pasir Akar Farm, involving a sample of ten crossbred Saanen kids and BBB lambs (n=6 females, n=4 males). The average live weight of male and female crossbred Saanen kids was highest at week 5, with values of 19.1±2.59 kg and 19.8±3.49 kg, respectively. Similarly, the average live weight of male and female crossbred BBB lambs peaked at week 5, with 21.3±4.6 kg and 21.0±2.86 kg, respectively. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the average live weight of both sexes of post-weaning crossbred BBB lambs. A significant difference (P<0.05) in ADG values was found between female crossbred Saanen kids and BBB lambs, with lambs having 0.03 kg higher ADG than the kids. Additionally, a significant difference (P<0.05) in ADG was observed between male Saanen kids and BBB lambs, with male lambs showing a 0.047 kg greater ADG than male kids. These findings suggest that the growth performances of both Saanen kids and BBB lambs, including ADG and FCR, were influenced during their post-weaning phase.
Keywords | ADG, Growth performance, Saanen kids, Blackbelly lambs, Post-weaning
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