LINEAR MEASURMENT IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) AND WAD X RED SOKOTO GOATS

Abstract

Performance record of 76 West African Dwarf (WAD) and WAD X Red Sokoto (RS) kid were compared for efficiency of growth in skeletal dimensions. Genotype (P<0.01) affected all the measurement studied. Halfbred kids were superior in all body parts from birth till 150 day of age. Maternal effect did not contribute to better performance among the halfbred kids, although, it influence varied from 5-33% at different stages of growth in favour of the halfbreds. Season of birth (p>0.05) affected all measurement studied at birth except shoulder width. However, at 90 days and 150 days of age, seasonal influence became significant (p<0.05) on shoulder width and non significant for all other body measurements. At birth, kids born in dry season (October-April) had superior body length, shoulder width and leg length, but those born in the rainy season had superior hearth girth. Genotype x season interaction affected shoulder width significantly (p<0.01) at birth. While sex and type of birth did not significantly influence body measurement at any age.