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Oct 23, 2014Article Details
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Growth and Physiological Performance of West African Dwarf Goats Reared Under Two Different Management Systems
Abstract
Twenty young growing West African Dwarf (WAD) goats of both sexes with an average body weight of 5.77kg were used in an experiment which lasted for three months to assess growth and physiological performance of goats reared under two different management systems. Result of the experiment revealed that growth rate was significantly better in animals reared under intensive system of management as indices measured such as average daily weight gain, (kg) and metabolic weight (W0.75kg), were better in goats reared intensively. Feed intake was not significantly different (p>0.05) among the two management systems. However, physiological parameters such as rectal temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and ambient temperature revealed some significant correlation. It was thus concluded that goats reared under both intensive and extensive systems of management could be thermally stressed by the ambient temperature, while rearing goats intensively is better than the extensive method commonly adopted in Nigeria.
