INFLUENCE OF WATTLE IN RED SOKOTO (Maradi) GOATS ON REPRODUCTION, HAEMATOLOGY AND GROWTH PARAMETERS

Abstract

A study on the Influence of wattle in Red Sokoto (Maradi) goats on reproduction, haematology and growth parameters was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna. Forty (40) Red Sokoto goats comprising of thirty-two (32) does and eight (8) bucks managed semi-intensively were used for the study. Seven experiments were conducted during the period of the research. Experiment one was aimed at determining the relationship between wattle and body weight and some morphometric parameters in Red Sokoto goats. Parameters examined under experiment one included: body weight, body length, head length, head width, height-at-withers, chest depth, chest girth, shoulder point width, rump length, rump width, and shin circumference of Red Sokoto does and bucks. Experiment two was to describe the relationship between wattle and reproductive traits in Red Sokoto does. Parameters examined for experiment two included: gestation gain, gestation length, and body weight of kid(s) at birth, kidding loss, rectal temperature, progesterone and oestrogen profile of the does. Experiment three was aimed at evaluating the relationship between wattle and some dairy characteristics of Red Sokoto does. Parameters observed included udder circumference, distance between teats, change in udder circumference, change in distance between teats, teat length after milking, milk quantity and quality analysis. Experiment four was aimed at evaluating the effect of wattle on growth related traits of growing Red Sokoto kids up till weaning. Parameters measured for experiment four was as detailed in experiment one above. Experiment five was to determine the relationship between wattle and weaning traits of Red Sokoto kids. Data collected for experiment five included: number of kids at weaning, body weight of kids at weaning, weaning sex ratio and survival rate at weaning. Experiment six was to determine the relationship between wattle and haematological characteristics of Red Sokoto goats. and experiment seven was to determine the relationship between wattle and body weight, scrotal size, scrotal circumference and sperm cell concentration of Red Sokoto bucks. Data collected were analyzed using SAS statistical package. After the experiment, it was observed that: Wattle had significant (p<0.05) effect only on the initial head width of Red Sokoto does before mating. Non-wattled does in (T2), having the widest (p<0.05) head width (11.88±0.38) before mating. Wattle significantly (p<0.05) affected the body weight of does after birth with wattle does mated with wattle bucks (T4) having the lowest body weight. Results of the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto does, shows that wattled does mated with wattled buck (T4) had the lowest weight of doe pre and post-partum and had highest kidding lost and least birth weight. Wattled does produced higher litter size (up to 50 % twins). Females mated with non wattled bucks (T1and T3) had the highest conception rate of up to 62.5 %. Mating between the wattle and non-wattle (T2 and T3) had 0 % abortion. Mating between non-wattled does mated with wattled bucks (T2) produced the highest number of males (up to 75 %) while mating between wattled does mated with wattled bucks (T4) had the largest percentage of female kids (66.7 %). Wattle had significant (p<0.05) influence on the milk and udder parameters examined. Crosses between the wattle and the non wattled had the highest in terms of udder circumference before and after milking, quantity of milk and average daily milking. Wattled does in (T3 and T4) produced the highest peak yield. Wattled does mated with watted bucks (T4) had the highest total milk yield. Wattle had significant (p<0.05) influence on the average body weight and morphometric parameters of Red Sokoto kids. Kids resulting from both parents having wattle had the least in the average head width and average hind leg. Wattle had significant (p<0.05) effect on body weight, survival rate, sex of kids and type of birth of Red Sokoto kids at weaning. Non-wattled does mated with wattled bucks (T2) had the highest body weight and survival rate (100 %). Wattled does and bucks had higher HDL, which brought about lower blood cholesterol levels. In conclusion, attention should be focused on the crossess between the wattled and the non-wattled Red Sokoto as it gave best result in most parameters examined for the kids. Deliberate effort must be made to preserve the wattle gene to prevent the goats carrying the gene from going to extinction.