The West African dwarf goat : body size, udder and teat cicumference in relation to kid mortality

Abstract

The dam weight, udder and teat circumferences of 360 West African dwarf does were taken within one week postpartum. The data collected for each parameter was classified into four groups - small, medium, large and extra-large. The reproductive history of these animals including neonatal mortality was obtained from their breeding records. A total of 1,738 kids from these dams were involved with 238 (13.7 p. 100) of them recorded dead within the first 30 days of life. Correlations performed on these data showed that the body weight of the animals was significantly (P < 0.001) correlated with both udder and teat circumference. The udder circumference was significantly
(P < 0.001) correlated with teat circumference. The body weight and udder circumference of the animal significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the survival rate of the kids. Animals with small body weight and udder circumference recorded more dead kids than those with medium sizes but none from the large and extra-large udders. The most desirable body weight and udder circumference are greater than or equal to 24 kg and greater than or equal to 16 cm respectively. Teat circumference also significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the survival rate of the kids. Those in the extra-large range were associated with kids mortality. The most desirable size seems to be <4 cm. In formulating breeding programmes for the West African dwarf goats based on body weight, udder and teat circumference, possible reiationships between milk yield and these traits should be
evaluated.