Morphometric characteristics of Red Sokoto and Sahel goats in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State

Abstract

The initial step involved in any animal genetic improvement program is to describe the morphometric traits considered. Therefore, a study was conducted in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to determine some morphometric characteristics of Red Sokoto and Sahel goats. A total of 250 goats (187 Red Sokoto and 63 Sahel) of mixed sex and age were used for the study. The animals were sampled from Maigatari main livestock market. Data generated were subjected to simple descriptive, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation analysis and stepwise linear regression. The coefficients of variation obtained for the parameters ranged from 8.96 % for wither height to 56.89 % for udder circumference. Red Sokoto had mean BW, BCS, BL, HG, WH, UL, UC, TL and TC of 20.58 kg, 3.20, 22.45 cm, 25.28 cm, 22.93 cm, 3.48 cm, 5.99 cm, 4.97 cm and 7.88 cm, respectively. The corresponding values for Sahel were 22.91 kg, 3.00, 23.58 cm, 25.07 cm, 24.55 cm, 4.14 cm, 7.06 cm, 4.75 cm and 7.52 cm. Sahel goats had significantly higher BL (P<0.01) and WH (P<0.001). Female goats were heavier than male and had longer body, wider chest and higher height at wither. Except TC, goats of 36 - 48 months had the highest for all the significantly affected traits (BW, BCS, BL, HG and WH; P<0.001). The correlation coefficients observed among the morphometric traits were in general high, positive and significant, while the accuracy of the predictive equation when HG and in combination with BL were used to predict live weight was also high. This study indicated that breed had no effect on most body characters and that live weight can best be predicted using HG.