Effects of yard-feeding in winter on cashmere goats in Huanxian County

We conducted yard-feeding experiments on goats in order to improve the methods for raising and breeding of cashmere goats in Huanxian County in winter. The traditional method in Huanxian County of “grazing and supplementary feeding” (hereafter, GS) served as the control group. A 60-day yard-feeding (hereafter, Y) experiment was conducted using six-month-old Ziwuling black goats and F1 hybrids of Liaoning Cashmere goats (♂) ×Ziwuling black goats (♀) (hereafter, F1). Growth results, slaughter performance, and meat quality were systematically measured and economic return was calculated. The final weight, weight gain, average daily gain, carcass weight and dressing percentage in Y group were higher than those in GS group in both experimental goat populations (P<0.01). Average daily gain, carcass weight, and dressing percentage of Ziwuling black goats in Y group were 102.5 g, 10.75 kg, and 47.66%, respectively, which were higher than the corresponding values of 87.2 g, 3.46 kg, and 12.54% in GS group. Average daily gain, carcass weight, and dressing percentage of F1 in Y group were 117.2 g, 11.71 kg, and 49.62%, respectively; these values were also higher than the corresponding values of 96.7 g, 4.16 kg, and 13.83% in GS group. Water loss rate and meat tenderness in Y group were lower than those in GS group (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed between these groups with regard to other meat quality indexes. Net income of Y group from Ziwuling black goats and F1 hybrids were 110.2 and 75 CNY, respectively, higher than those of lambs of the same breed in GS group. These results suggest that yard-feeding can increase growth results and meat performance, and improve some meat quality indexes and cultural benefits of the cashmere goats of Huanxian County in winter.