Herd structure of Small-Holder goat production in Otukpo L.G.A of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study to ascertain the herd structure of small holder goat production systems was conducted in the four (4) districts of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue state. Thirty five (35) farmers' herds were randomly selected from each of the four districts for the study. The combined use of questionnaires and visits were employed to collect the data on 1602 goats belonging to 140 herds covered by the study.

Average herd size per farmer-household ranged from 10.4 to 12.5 goats with an overall average of 11.4. Male and females animals constituted 28.5% and 71.6% of the population, respectively. The 3-4 years age-group had the highest proportion of both the breeding bucks and breeding does (42.5% and 45.5%, respectively). Males less than 1 year old constituted 33.5% of the male population while females of the same age group constituted 30.2% of the female population. About 26.2% of the breeding does were in parity 1. This proportion declined with increasing parity with only 5.1% in parity 5. A mating ratio of l buck to 3 does was observed. The common criterion for culling was emergency need for money and this represented 40% of the animals leaving the herds.

Keywords: structure, goat production, breeding does, breeding bucks, age-group