Factors affecting birth weight, litter size and survival rates of goats in Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria (October, 2003 – May, 2006) to investigate the effects of some factors (breed, body condition score, season, type of birth and parity) on birth weight, litter size and survival rates in goats. The results showed that all the factors investigated had significant (p<0.001) influence on birth weight and litter size. For instance, the Sahel Goat (SG) doe has the largest birth weight followed by Red Sokoto (RS) and least the West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. However, litter size was significantly (p<0.001) highest in WAD followed by RS and lowest in SG does. Body condition score of does significantly (p<0.001) influenced both birth weight and litter size. These traits increased significantly with increase in the body score. They also increased significantly (p<0.001) with increase in parity number. The dry season kids had significantly (p<0.001) heavier birth weight than those in the wet season. Kids born single were also significantly (p<0.001) heavier than their twin counterparts. There were significant (p<0.001) effects of breed, season, litter size, parity (p<0.05) and sex (p<0.01) on the overall survival rates of kids at weaning age of four months. Conversely, there was no significant effect of body condition score of does on the overall kid survival rates. This study concludes that large body size, good body condition, dry season, birth of male kid and single birth and, high parity resulted in increased birth weight. Kid survival was best in the dry season, among male and single kids and kids from higher parities.


Animal Production Research Avancees Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 46-51