Abstract: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of gender and dietary protein level on the growth and development of Xinong Saanen dairy goat during 1 to 100 day age. 80 male and 80 female lambs with good similarity were selected and equally divided into 4 groups and 40 lambs per group. The groups 1 and 2 were females,groups 3 and 4 were males. The groups 1 and 3 were fed granulated feed with 17% protein level,the others were fed with 21% protein level. In order to choose a feed formula that was suitable protein level for lambs growth and development,body size and weight of lambs were measured regularly and diarrhea rate was also counted. At the end day of the experiment,blood samplings were carried out and biochemical indexes were analysed. The results showed that the different level of protein had no significant effects on the growth and development of goatsduring early to medium term (P>0.05). Granulated fed with lower protein level should be fed to reduce feeding costs from early to medium term,and feed with higher protein level was better fed during middle and later periods to ensure the rapid growth and development of the lambs (P<0.05). Body size indexes were less affected by dietary protein level,and high protein level diet was easier to trigger diarrhea, male lambs seemed to have a faster tendence than female lambs in growth and development during the trial period. So,the feeding amount of high protein level should be controlled during lamb cultivation.

Key words: lamb cultivation; dairy goat; protein level; growth and development