The aim to improve the production parameters of local Hill goats by introducing exotic
genotypes since last two decades was not successful. Crossbred kids have significantly
poorer reproduction ability and are more susceptible to parasites and diseases than local
Hill goats. In prevailing production systems and nutritional management conditions local
Hill goats are well adapted but have poorer growth rate (birth, weaning and matured
weights). Estimation of genetic parameters showed that improvement of production traits
could be achieved through selection. 120 does and 15 bucks at nucleus herd except followers
and 1228 animals from 181 households in farmers' flock at five different sites (three hill
districts) from two altitude levels (low: up to I 100 m and mid: 1 I OOm to I700 m) have been
included in selection program. Sixteen selected bucks on developed selection criteria have
been distributed to make progress in farmers' flock. During first year period a total of 272
kids were born at station, ofwhich I45 were male and 127 were female. Multiple born cases
observed in the herd were I94. The overall four and six month body weight of offspring born
from multiple birth cases were 7. 0 I ~.I6 and 8.I6~. 20 kg, where as from single cases were
8.95:t0.39 and 10.4~.48 kg respectively. At sites; 869 females were served of which 204
were delivered till the reporting period. Among these born kids; 68 kids reached up to the
age of 4 month and 22 reached six month of age. Multiple birth cases in the sites wer~ found
to be II3 as compared to the single 147. The average 4 and 6 month offspring weight at the
sites were 9. 007 and 10. 77 kg respectively, where as parental herd mean was 7. 98 and 9. 6 kg
for the same age groups. Aiwlysis of first year data for genetic gain showed that the actual
response of selection on station for four and six month weight was 7. 9 and 4. 7 per cent per
generation respectively. it means 2.9 and 1. 7 per cent per year (generation interval is equal
to 2. 75 years) using sire lines only. Although predicted response was close to the observed
and results obtained so far both in terms of reproduction and production were quite
impressive however, further verification of trail is essential for a conclusion. Progress of
selection program achieved during the period hoth in nucleus herd and farmers' flock has
been described and presented In addition. problems encountered during the experimental .,.. ··--.. --- ~
period have heen mentioned. It also highlights the reaction of hill .farmers on the selection
program.

The aim to improve the production parameters of local Hill goats by introducing exotic
genotypes since last two decades was not successful. Crossbred kids have significantly
poorer reproduction ability and are more susceptible to parasites and diseases than local
Hill goats. In prevailing production systems and nutritional management conditions local
Hill goats are well adapted but have poorer growth rate (birth, weaning and matured
weights). Estimation of genetic parameters showed that improvement of production traits
could be achieved through selection. 120 does and 15 bucks at nucleus herd except followers
and 1228 animals from 181 households in farmers' flock at five different sites (three hill
districts) from two altitude levels (low: up to I 100 m and mid: 1 I OOm to I700 m) have been
included in selection program. Sixteen selected bucks on developed selection criteria have
been distributed to make progress in farmers' flock. During first year period a total of 272
kids were born at station, ofwhich I45 were male and 127 were female. Multiple born cases
observed in the herd were I94. The overall four and six month body weight of offspring born
from multiple birth cases were 7. 0 I ~.I6 and 8.I6~. 20 kg, where as from single cases were
8.95:t0.39 and 10.4~.48 kg respectively. At sites; 869 females were served of which 204
were delivered till the reporting period. Among these born kids; 68 kids reached up to the
age of 4 month and 22 reached six month of age. Multiple birth cases in the sites wer~ found
to be II3 as compared to the single 147. The average 4 and 6 month offspring weight at the
sites were 9. 007 and 10. 77 kg respectively, where as parental herd mean was 7. 98 and 9. 6 kg
for the same age groups. Aiwlysis of first year data for genetic gain showed that the actual
response of selection on station for four and six month weight was 7. 9 and 4. 7 per cent per
generation respectively. it means 2.9 and 1. 7 per cent per year (generation interval is equal
to 2. 75 years) using sire lines only. Although predicted response was close to the observed
and results obtained so far both in terms of reproduction and production were quite
impressive however, further verification of trail is essential for a conclusion. Progress of
selection program achieved during the period hoth in nucleus herd and farmers' flock has
been described and presented In addition. problems encountered during the experimental .,.. ··--.. --- ~
period have heen mentioned. It also highlights the reaction of hill .farmers on the selection
program.