PHENOTYPIC DIFFERENTIATION OF QUALITATIVE TRAITS IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Characterization of livestock breeds using their morphological traits differences is the first step towards the utilization of the available animal genetic resources. Therefore, the study was conducted to evaluate the phenotypic expression of qualitative traits in West African Dwarf goat in Cross River State. Cross River North, Central and South were used for the study. A total of 630 goats (bucks and does) were monitored, comprising 210 goats from each location marked out for the study. Each study location was extended to cover three Local Government Areas and seven villages. Experimental animals were weighed using a 200kg scale while body parts were measured using a 100cm measuring tape. Traits collected were analyzed using Generalized Linear Model (GLM) procedures of GENSTAT 2011 statistical package. The result showed that higher (P<0.05) quantitative traits average values were recorded for goats from the Central compared to those from other zones. Similar values were obtained for goats in the Northern and Southern zones of C.R.S, although those in the South consistently recorded the lowest (P>0.05) values. From the study, there were distinct phenotypic differences among relationships that existed between goat populations in the northern central and southern zones.