It was evaluatedin this study the environmental effects on body weights of goat kids from birthto 150 days of age of Tunisian local goat population, on the basis of 1,656records obtained from the Arid Areas Institute of Médenine, Tunisia,during 2001-2005. Except for birth weight, individual records were adjustedfor standard ages (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days) using either extrapolationor interpolation on field data. Data were analyzed by GLM procedure and SNK(α= 0.05) means comparison test. The kidding year (2001-2005), kidding month (December,January, February, and March), birth type (single and twins), sex (male andfemale), coat colour of kid and age of dam (2-10 years) were definied as non-geneticfactors. Results showed that mean values and standard deviation (SD) of bodyweight at birth (0), 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days of age were 2.57 ±0.52 kg, 4.06 ± 1.16 kg, 6.99 ± 1.87 kg, 8.90 ± 2.46 kg,11.48 ± 3.35 kg and 13.53 ± 4.80 kg for male and 2.29 ±0.44 kg, 4.76 ± 1.13 kg, 3.09 ± 1.33 kg, 8.08 ± 2.02 kg,10.24 ± 2.36 kg and 12.15 ± 6.54 kg for female. The kidding year,birth type and sex had effect on body weights of Tunisian local kids at allages. The single and male was always heavier than the twins and the females.The birth month had effect on all body weights except for weight at 30 daysof age. The age of dam had effect on body weights from 60 to 150 days of age.However, the coat color had no significant effect on all body weights. Environmentaleffects estimated in this study are important and need to be taken into accountfor Tunisian local goat management and breeding improvement under harsh conditions.
