S.K. Mahanta, B.P. Kushwaha A.K. Misra, S.B. Maity D. Upadhyay ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute Jhansi- 284 003 (U.P.) Background Bundelkhand Region These goats belong to Bundelkhand region, spread over southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh (MP), which includes 7 districts of UP (Jhansi, Banda, Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Lalitpur and Jalaun) and 6 districts of MP (Sagar, Panna, Damoh, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and Datia). Out of 2.47 million goats in this region, considerable numbers belong to Bundel-khandi goats which is yet to be recognized as breed. Apart from recording of observations from the field, a flock of 100 goats is being maintained at ICAR–IGFRI, Jhansi for characterization and performance recording. Physical features Bundelkhandi goat is black in colour with medium to large sized cylindrical and compact body, bushy tail. The animals are able to long legs, narrow face, roman walk long distances and highly type nose, medium horns, long suitable for grazing. These goats hairs on body, black eyelids and are primarily reared for meat muzzle, pendulous ears and purpose. These goats are hardy in nature and well adapted to harsh climatic conditions of Bundelkhand region, where in summer (May- June) hot breezes locally known as loo are common. During this period maximum temperature may go up to 50 degree Celsius. Body weight & body size of Bundelkhandi goat Male Female Body weight (kg) 39.70 ± 2.18 32.90 ± 1.13 Body length (cm) 78.10 ± 1.73 71.93 ± 0.72 Body height (cm) 77.00 ± 1.65 71.63 ± 0.60 Chest girth (cm) 77.40 ± 1.87 72.11 ± 0.83 Paunch girth (cm) 79.50 ± 2.68 71.26 ± 1.03 Face length (cm) 18.40 ± 0.48 12.88 ± 0.92 Horn length (cm) 14.80 ± 0.79 12.67 ± 0.82 Ear length (cm) 19.20 ± 0.63 19.33 ± 0.62 Tail length (cm) 17.20 ± 0.33 15.67 ± 0.31 Milk yield Production system The average lactation length in These goats are reared primarily Bundelkhand goats ranged from on grazing under extensive 84.72 to 108.24 days, with total system. The animals are kept in lactation milk yield of 43.22 to open paddocks and housing is 62.82 litres (510 to 552 ml/day). provided during night. Majority of the farmers use kutcha type of floors for housing. In case of small flocks (3–4 animals) usually animal share the housing with the owner. Usually breeding is done using a common quality buck available in the village. The farmers who keep small flock Feed resources given are crop by send their animals jointly for products viz. straw of different grazing with a hired person. Kids legumes and cereals and tree are provided suckling twice a day leaves of bargad, pipal, ber, up to 3 months of age. Concentrate babul, pakhar, neem, mahua, is given only to lactating goats. siris, etc. Acknowledgement CIRG, Makhdoom (Indian Project was funded by the AICRP Council of Agriculture Research, on Goat Improvement, ICAR- New Delhi) Printed at : Darpan Printers & Lamination, Agra. 9415113108, 7007122381.