EXTERIOR FEATURES AND LIVE WEIGHT DYNAMICS OF SAANEN BUCKS OF DIFFERENT GENOTYPES

Abstract

The study was conducted to compare the exterior features and age-related live weight dynamics of Saanen bucks of three genotypes: Dutch, Austrian, and the domestic “Mari” type. The work was conducted in 2025–2026 at the breeding farm of LLC “Goat dairy farm “Nadezhdinsky” in the Stavropol Territory (Dutch and Austrian bucks) and the gene pool farm LLC “Lukoz” in the Mari El Republic (Mari bucks). A total of 2007 bucks were counted. The methods used included zootechnical recording, individual weighing, taking 12 linear measurements, calculating eight body indices, and statistical analysis (Student's t-test, coefficient of variation). It has been established that Dutch bucks significantly exceed Mari bucks in live weight at all age periods: at birth – by 24,0% (4.81 vs. 3,88 kg), at 2 months – by 23,8% (18,69 vs. 15,10 kg), at 12 months – by 8,1% (54,17 vs. 50,10 kg). By 36 months, Dutch bucks weigh 108,9 kg, which is 8,7% more than Austrian bucks (100,2 kg) and 9,9% more than Mari bucks (99,0 kg). According to body measurements, Dutch bucks are leaders in oblique body length (110,4 versus 97,5 and 92,5 cm), height at the withers (91,6 versus 87,4 and 84,5 cm) and chest girth (114,3 versus 98,3 and 95,4 cm). Body indices show that the Dutch genotype forms the classic dairy type (120,5% elongation, 124,7% massiveness, 66,2% chest index), the Mari genotype is a combined dairy and beef type (74,5% chest index), and the Austrian occupies an intermediate position. The identified differences should be taken into account when selecting sires for breeding for different technological systems.