EFFECT OF SEX ON SOME LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS REARED UNDER SEMI-INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A TROPICAL

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of sex on linear body measurements in West African Dwarf (WAD) goat in Nigeria, using 14 WAD goat, which comprised of 7 males and 7 females. The parameters measured include body weight, distance between the eyes, ear length, ear width, and tail length. Data was collected on weekly basis for four 4 months. The results showed that body weights and other body measurements had no significant (P>0.05) difference in both sexes of the WAD goats. although tail length and body weight of the female goats have higher values than that of the males. Correlation coefficients among body measurements were positive and significant. Thus, as body measurement increase, the rate of growth also increases.