PRODUCTIVITY OF GOATS UNDER OPTIMAL CONDITIONS OF HOUSING AND FEEDING

Abstract

. The article presents the productivity results of crossbred goats obtained through crossbreeding for herd reproduction purposes. The study analyzed the effect of age on milk productivity of the animals. The results showed that goats bred in the year of birth produced only 175.3 liters of milk at the age of 1–1.8 years, with an average daily milk yield of 0.69 liters. These indicators were significantly lower compared with goats aged 2 and 3 years, by 250.6 and 350.1 liters respectively. The obtained results indicate that including crossbred goats in breeding at an early age is economically inefficient.

The study also examined the productivity of crossbred goats obtained through grading-up (introductory crossbreeding). The offspring produced from purebred Saanen bucks of New Zealand selection demonstrated relatively higher productivity. In particular, their total milk yield reached 536.15 liters, with an average daily milk yield of 1.79 liters. Although this value was 29.7% or 159.6 liters lower than that of two-year-old goats, it was significantly higher than the productivity indicators of goats bred at an early age.

The research results show that the application of effective crossbreeding methods and determination of the optimal breeding age can significantly improve milk productivity. The findings can serve as a scientific basis for improving breeding work in goat farming and for the formation of highly productive goat populations.