Effect of Gestation Length and Birth Weight on Crossbred West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto Goats reared in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 70 Kids were used to study the effects of genotype and birth weight on gestation length of Crossbred West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto Goats reared in the Humid Tropics. The study was carried out at the Small Ruminant Research Unit of Dora-Pet Farms Ltd, Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State. Detection of Heat (estrus) was carried out twice daily; in the morning (07:00-08:00 am); and in the evening (05:00-06:00 pm) using the active bucks. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using the General Linear Model and the Correlation Procedure of SAS. Most of the genotypes had similar gestation length with values between 161.5±0.23 days and 163.7±0.40 days, except for Red Sokoto pure breed (RS X RS) kids, which had a shorter gestation length (142.3±0.54 days). The birth weight of kids showed a significant difference (P<0.05) with the crosses between West African Dwarf goats (WAD x RS) does having a higher birth weight of 4.1±0.04 kg while the crosses obtained using RS x WAD gave the lowest birth weights (2.1±0.24 and 1.9±0.12, respectively). There was no significant effect (P>0.05) of Sex and litter type on gestation length. Although, birth weight was affected by the sex of the kids and their litter type. Litter type showed a negative correlation with birth weight (-0.218). Gestation length had a low and non-significant relationship with birth weight, litter type and genotype of the kid. Kid genotype does not have a significant relationship with litter type. Therefore, improvement on the genetic makeup of Nigerian goat breeds is possible if the resources within and between breeds are carefully exploited. Consequently, selection for a reduction in gestation length can increase prolificacy of the West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto using skilful crossbreeding procedures.