ESTIMATES OF PHENOTYPIC AND GENETIC CORRELATIONS IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Abstract

Records on 848 West African dwarf goat kids and 220 kiddings over a period of eight year's (1982-1989) were analyzed. The records were used to provide estimates of phenotypic and venetic correlations among parity, kidding interval, litter size at birth and body weight at various ages. Plenotypic correlation coefficients of +0.33 (P<0.01) and -0,17 (P<0.01) were obtained when parity was correlated with litter size at birth and kidding interval respectively. Phenotypic correlations among body weights were generally positive and significant (P<0.01). Parity was positively correlated (P<0.01) with body weight at the various ages except at 1 year (P>0.05). Litter size was, however, negatively correlated (P<0.01) with body weight at the various ages except at 1 year (P<0.05). The genetic correlations among body weights at variuus ages were positive and significant (P<0.01). Selection for body weight at in earlier age especially at 3 months is likely to result in improvement of yearling body weight.