Effects of body condition on the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto goats.

Abstract

Effects of the body condition on the litter size, birth weight and kids survival of Red Sokoto goat were examined using seventy eight does aged 1-3 years. The does were flushed by grazing on cultivated pastures in the morning, and when indoor, they were served 500gm of concentrate ration per head per day. Their body conditions were assessed. All does used in this study fell within the body condition 1 with a mean body weight of 20.7kg and the body condition 2 with a mean weight of 24.1kg on a condition scale where 1 is poor and 2 is fair. They were randomly assigned to six sire groups and making lasted ten weeks. All does were reared as a group before and after parturition until the kids were weaned at 12 weeks. Does on condition score 2 significantly higher litter size (1.74) reared more kids to weaning (0.68) and were superior to does on condition score 1in overall productivity measured as number of kids weaned (89.21 vs 45.85%) or weight of kids weaned per doe kidding (4.92 vs 2.40kg). Does on the condition score 2 were twice condition score 1. The large difference in productivity would seem to justify investments in nutrition to breeding does prior to mating