ProjectResearch Findings
AICRP on Goat Improvement Black Bengal Field Unit-Kolkata
Black Bengal Field Unit was established in 2001 under West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Kolkata with the main objective to conserve and genetic improvement of Black Bengal Goat in the farmer’s flock. As per the technical programme, the baseline information on production, reproduction, growth traits, population trend, managemental practices, feeding pattern, disease prevalence and socio-economics in goat production system were recorded and analyzed. The registration of animals at farmer’s flock with proper identification was carried out in village units.
- During 2014-2015 Murshidabad cluster has been extended by adopting a new village Beliapukur with 86 does in M-J Block of Murshidabad district in collaboration with KVK. Digha, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences.
- Further, a new cluster with mostly tribal farmers at Lodhasuli (Dhangri, Ranidihi, Manapara and Malapada village) with 217 does in Jhargram Block of West Midnapur District has been adopted in March 2015. Thus the unit is now working in four clusters i.e. Nadia cluster (Ayeshpur and Ganguria), Sundarban cluster (Jatirampur and Rangabelia), Murshidabad cluster (Bamunia and Beliapukur), and Lodhasuli cluster at Jhargram.
- During 2014-15, the performance of 638 registered doe (172, 160, 216, 60 and 30 does in Ayeshpur, Ganguria, Jatirampur-Rangabelia, Bamunia village units respectively) are being recorded from which 1285 kids were born from 691 kidding (Table – 1 & 3); 53 doe have been kidded twice in this year.
- 22 Bucks were purchased based on their 6 months body weight and prolificacy status of their dams. Out of these 15 new bucks were distributed in the village units in addition to previous males or replacement for selective breeding. Rest of the bucks are maintaining at buck raising centre under the project.
- With the opening flock of 1761 in 2014-15, after breeding with selective males the closing balance has reached to 2257.
- As per the initial doe the annual growth rate of Black Bengal for this year is 174.61% and the population growth is 57.93%.
- The average flock strength in the farmers flock has increased to 5.94 in 2014-15 from 4.50 in 2013-2014; the initial flock strength was 2.53 in 2002-2003.
- 46.32 % farmers have a flock of 1 to 4 goats followed by 5 to 8 (34.88 %), 9 to 12 (14.44 %) and then by above 12 (4.36 %). It is an indicator of rearing Black Bengal goat by the farmers with small flock size; 80% farmers have a flock maximum of 8.
- In this year improvement in body growth has also been observed than previous year and the average body weight at birth, 3 month, 6 month, 9 month and 12 month was 1.203 ± 0.005 kg, 4.998 ± 0.035 kg, 7.378 ± 0.048 kg, 9.845 ± 0.065 kg and 12.419 ± 0.101 kg respectively in 2014-15.
- The mean body length, height at wither, heart girth, punch girth and head length were 20.29 ± 0.05 cm, 21.46 ± 0.06 cm, 23.54 ± 0.06 cm, 23.03 ± 0.08 cm and 7.39 ± 0.02 cm at birth; 33.38 ± 0.08 cm, 34.48 ± 0.08 cm, 38.46 ± 0.11 cm, 40.99 ± 0.13 cm and 10.51 ± 0.03 cm at 3 months; 36.79 ± 0.09 cm, 38.06 ± 0.08 cm, 44.71 ± 0.65 cm, 47.29 ± 0.16 cm and 11.83 ± 0.04 cm at 6 months; 40.07 ± 0.13 cm, 41.62 ± 0.13 cm, 48.50 ± 0.16 cm, 52.72 ± 0.22 cm and 12.74 ± 0.05 cm at 9 months; 43.84 ± 0.22 cm, 45.72 ± 0.20 cm, 53.53 ± 0.28 cm, 58.36 ± 0.29 cm and 14.24 ± 0.07 cm at 12 months of age. Male kids are bigger than female kids at all ages.
- Improvement in reproductive performances has also been noticed from previous year. During 2014-15 the average age at first service and 1st kidding were recorded as 237.54 ± 5.07 days and 383.23 ±
Network Project on Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources (In-Situ Conservation of Harringhata Black Chicken)
