GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF ZAANENSKY BREED GOAT REPLACEMENT STOCK
Dairy goat breeding is one of the promising branches of animal husbandry. Increased attention is paid to the industrial production of goat milk. The Zaanensky goat breed is the best in terms of adaptability to such milk production. Introduction of animals from major breeding countries allows to immediately put the dairy goat industry on a relatively high level. However, new breeding conditions often affect the characteristics of young stock. Production of high-quality replacement stock stimulates the development of the industry. The growth characteristics of male and female goats can be assessed not only by the dynamics of live weight during the growing period, but also by exterior changes, namely, measurements and indices. Studies on the growth rates of young stock were carried out in the conditions of the farming business of IE Kizerov of the Tyumen region. At the time of the study the farm was engaged in breeding goats of Zaanensky breed with an average productivity of 748 kg, with milk and protein content of 4.76% and 3.34% respectively. In assessing the quality of replacement stock, it was found that both female and male goats grew well in the farm conditions, as evidenced by measurements of 18 months animals that reached measurements 90% typical of adult animals. In addition, the live weight of the repair goats corresponded to the parameters recommended for the breed and was 38.4 kg. for 1.5 year old goats. On the whole, the replacement stock introduced and raised on the farm had the physique typical of the main herd besides good growth.