INFLUENCE OF QUALITATIVE TRAITS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Abstract

Data on coat colour pigmentation and incidence of wattle were combined with production records of 1407 West African dwarf goats to study their influence on litter traits and body weight. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference among coat colours for litter size at birth and at weaning and birth weight. Basic white coloured goats were significantly (P <0.05) heavier at weaning and one year of age than the basic brown and black goats. The trend was that the weight decreased with increased pigmentation. Presence or absence of wattle did not exert any influence on the traits studied except yearling body weight Bilaterally wattled goats were lighter (P<0.01) than unilaterally wattled and non wattled goats.