Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T05:42:20.920Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The reproductive performance of Red Sokoto goats in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

I. F. Adu
Affiliation:
National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria
V. Buvanendran
Affiliation:
National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria
C. A. M. Lakpini
Affiliation:
National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria

Summary

An analysis has been made of the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto goat of Nigeria. Data are based on records of 140 kiddings from 96 does. Age at first kidding was 435 ± 18·9 days. The mean litter size at first kidding was 1·45. Prolificacy increased with parity, the kidding percentages from first to third parities being 141, 186 and 200 respectively. Doe weight was significantly correlated with litter size (r = – 0·27). Repeatabilities of litter size per doe kidding and of litter weight were negative. Heritability of litter size was 0·08 ± 0·02. Birth weights were low, the mean weight of kids during the 3 years ranging from 1·48 to 1·64 kg. Doe weight was related to litter weight in a manner such that litter weight as a proportion of doe weight tended to decline as doe weight increased. The ratio of litter weights of singles to twins at any given weight of the doe was 100:180. Kid mortality by 3 months of age was 30·8 %. Mortality among twins was only slightly higher than singles. However, mortality in kids born in multiple births (triplets and quadruplets) was much higher. Birth weights of surviving kids were significantly higher than of those that died.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bradford, G. B. (1972). Genetic control of litter size in sheep. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility (suppl.) 15, 2341.Google ScholarPubMed
Datta, I. C., Bhatnagar, K. L. & Roy, A. (1963). Studies on certain aspects of sheep and goat rearing husbandry. II. Birth weight, liveweight growth and rearing lambs and kids. Indian Journal of Veterinary Science 33, 7177.Google Scholar
Devendra, C. (1962). Upgrading of local goats by the Anglo-nubian at the Federal Experimental Station, Serdang. Malaysian Agricultural Journal 43, 265280.Google Scholar
Devendra, C. (1966). Goat breeds of Malaysia. Malaysian Agricultural Journal 45, 288294.Google Scholar
Devendra, C. & Burns, M. (1970). Goat Production in the Tropics. Technical Communication No. 19 of the Commonwealth Bureau of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Donald, H. P. & Russell, W. S. (1970). The relationship between liveweight of ewe at mating and weight of new-born lamb. Animal Production 12, 273280.Google Scholar
Epstein, H. & Herz, A. (1964). Fertility and birth weights of goats in a subtropical environment. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 62, 237244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Forrest, P. A. & Bichard, M. (1974). Analysis of production records from a lowland sheep flock. 2. Flock statistics and reproductive performance. Animal Production 19, 2532.Google Scholar
Minett, F. C. (1950). Mortality in sheep and goats in India. Indian Journal of Veterinary Science 20, 69103.Google Scholar
Molokwu, E. C. I. & Igono, M. O. (1978). Reproductive performance and pattern in the Brown goat of Nigeria Savannah zone. Proceedings of the 4th World Conference of Animal Production (in the Press).Google Scholar
Purser, A. F. (1965). Repeatability and heritability of fertility in hill sheep. Animal Production 7, 7582.Google Scholar
Tantawy, A. O. & Ahmed, I. A. (1960). Studies in Egyptian Baladi goats. 1. Frequency of multiple births and sex rates. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 28, 7482.Google Scholar
Turner, H. N. (1969). Genetic improvement of reproduction rate in sheep. Animal Breeding Abstract 37, 545563.Google Scholar