GENETICS OF FEED CONVERSION EFFICIENCY IN BARBARI GOATS

Two hundred and fourteen Barbari kids were raised under feedlot conditions to study feed conversion efficiency (FCE) for the growth periods 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 3-9 and 3-12 mo. FCE was estimated as a ratio of weight gain (kg) per kg DM consumed. Effect of year was highly significant on FCE during all growth periods except 3-6 mo. A significant effect of season was observed during all periods except 6-9 mo. Sex had significant effect on FCE in all periods except 9-12 mo. Type of birth did not show any effect. Interactions between sex x type of birth and sex x year of birth were not significant. Heritability estimates for FCE were 0.12 +/- 0.10, 0.06 +/- 0.10 and 0.17 +/- 0.11 for 6-9, 9-12 and 3-12 mo growth periods. Results of this study provided the basic information on genetic aspects of FCE in Barbari kids and will be useful for researchers.