Effect of Kidding Season and Parity on Maternal Care, Neonatal Behaviour, Kid Survivability and Growth Performance of Black Bengal Goats

Maternal behaviour and neonatal responses are key factors for kid survival and growth in goats. This study was carried out with an objective to evaluate the influence of parity and season on maternal care, neonatal behaviour, growth performance and survivability of Black Bengal goat kids in eastern India.

Pre and post parturition behaviour of goats (N=70) and neo-natal behaviour of their kids were studied during a period of 15 months. A systematical record of maternal care indices, including latency to groom, nursing, licking, sniffing and acceptance of suckling attempts, along with neonatal behavioural responses such as latency to stand, udder-seeking behaviour and suckling attempts were observed. Growth and kid survivability were evaluated up to weaning and data were analyzed.

Parity of does and season of kidding significantly influenced some of the maternal and neonatal behaviours. First-parity goats showed more maternal separation (p<0.001), their kids had fewer suckling bouts and shorter suckling durations as compared to those of higher order parities. Maternal care improved with the increase in parities. Kids’ from primiparous does took longer time to stand and locate the udder compared to those from multiparous does (p<0.05). Kids from multiparous mothers showed quicker neonatal behavioral development as compared to kids of nulliparous goat. Kids’ born from nulliparous does had the lowest survival rate (78.57%), while ≥4^th parity had the highest (91.30%). Winter born kids’ had higher birth weight (14.45%) and more growth rate (13.85%) and better kid survivability (90.77% vs 80.85%) compared to summer season. Maternal behaviours like grooming and nursing were exhibited better in summer, while winter provided better conditions for kid survival, neonatal behavioural development, body growth and successful suckling. The results indicate that multiparous mothers’ kidding and nursing experience and good weather conditions during winter are key factors for mother-kid bonding, neonatal survival, post-natal growth and development of kids.