T.V.  Raja, 
    Study on Certain Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Birth Weight of Attappady 
  Black Goats,
    Research Journal of Animal Sciences,
    Volume 8,Issue 1,
    2014,
    Pages 1-3,
    ISSN 1993-5269,
    rjnasci.2014.1.3,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjnasci.2014.1.3)
    Abstract: A study was undertaken to assess the effect of various non-genetic factors on the birth weight of Attappady Black, the native goat breed of Kerala State, India. Information on 150 kids born during 2001 to 2003 in the home tract of the breed was utilized for the study. Least squares analysis of variance was performed to study the effect of non-genetic factors and Duncon’s multiple range test was used to study the significant difference among different group means. The overall average birth weight of the kids was found to be 1.69 kg which was lower than the reported average birth weight of the other indigenous breeds of goats. Among the various factors studied the sex of kid and centre of birth significantly altered the birth weight of kids while the season and year of birth did not have significant effect. It was found that male kids were heavier than the female kids and the kids born in Agali Centre were heavier than the Sholayur and Pudur Centres. The lower body weight obtained in the present study warrants the need of a breed improvement programme for increasing the birth weight of kids as it directly affect the growth rate and body weight at later stages of life.
    Keywords: Attappady Black goats;birth weight;least squares analysis;non-genetic factors;kids