Effects of steaming-up on the performance of grazing does and their kids in arid region

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of steaming-up on the performance of grazing does in arid region of Rajasthan. Twenty-four goats carrying last trimester of pregnancy were selected and divided randomly into untreated (T₀) and treated (T₁) groups having 12 goats in each. Animals of both the groups were let loosed for grazing in the morning and were offered concentrate feed in the evening. Goats of T₁ group were fed additional concentrate feed @ 300g per animal per day. Average body weight gain of goats was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in T₁ group (4.04± 0.34 kg) than in T₀ (2.07± 0.40 kg) during the last month of gestation. Kids from steamed-up goats were born with significantly (P< 0.05) higher body weight and maintained higher average daily gain up to weaning. Total blood protein value was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in does of T₁ group during late gestation. It was concluded that the steaming-up could increase energy status in goats around kidding and the kids from these dams were born with higher body weight.