Age Based Classification of Morphometric Traits of Different Nigeria Goat Breeds

Abstract

A total of nine hundred (900) goats comprising of three hundred Sahel goats from Borno state, three hundred Red Sokoto goats from Sokoto state and three hundred West African Dwarf goats from Ogun state were used for the study. The goats were evaluated for morphometric characteristics. The effects of age, breed, and sex on linear measurement were estimated using the GLM procedure of the SAS software package. Data were computed on the basis of interaction with age groups. Means were separated within age groups using Duncan multiple range test. The result of this study indicated that the Sahelian breed was superior to other breeds across all age groups in body weight, while the red Sokoto was intermediate followed by the West African Dwarf. However, variations in morphometric measurements did not follow this trend and indicates that body parts are influenced differently by age, breed and sex. The variability of body weight suggests possibility of improving this trait through careful selection. Present results showed that age has strong influence, as there were consistent increases in all the traits studied as the animals aged.