PRODUCTIVITY INDICES OF THE RED SOKOTO GOAT REARED UNDER SEMI-INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The study conducted on the Red Sokoto goat (RSG) flock at the National
Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, assessed the productivity
of the goats based on some indices of overall flock performance. The effects
of environmental variables on productivity were also examined. Leastsquares
means were 24.97 kg for weight of kids produced per doe per year
(Index I), 943.75 g for weight of kids per kg liveweight of doe per year
(Index Ili), 2.13 kg for weight of kids per kg metabolic weight of doe per year
(index III), 28.48 kg for total litter weight at 90 days per doe during lifetime
(Index IV) and 12.60 kg for kid mass per parturition (Index V). The values of
Indices I, I1 and 111 were within the upper limits reported for most African
goat breeds. All environmental variables studied significantly (P~0.05)
influenced the indices except season which was not important for Index 111.
Type of birth, parity and parturition interval had the most important influence
on productivity. Correlations among Indices I, 11, and III were high, positive
and significant (P~0.01a)n d between kidding interval and Indices I, I1 and
I11 were all negative. The productivity of the RSG could therefore be improved
by greater attention to management to increase litter size and litter weight
at birth and weaning, and to reduce kidding intervals. Combined with
selection for these traits, better productivity should be achieved.