Publication Date: 2023/07/25
Abstract: This study was carried out in Awka, a town in Anambra State Nigeria. The study aimed to evaluate the morphological variations in West African Dwarf (WAD) goat. 43 matured WAD goats were picked from representative samples from the villages in Awka, 20 male WAD goats and 23 female WAD goat was selected and their morphological measurements recorded while noting their coat colour and texture. The morphometric parameters taken are – Body length (BL), Neck girth (NG), Height at withers (HW), Chest girth (CG), Ear length (EL), Rump width (RW), Height at rump (HR), Head length (HL), Horn length (HnL), Leg length (LL), and Tail length (TL) using a tailor’s tape. The body weight (in kilogramme) was measured using shaffeur’s formula, while the coat colour pattern was virtually observed and the texture by feeling. Data on morphometric measurements were subjected to descriptive statistic using frequencies and percentile (SPSS, 2010).The predominant coat colour type is the short and smooth coat type. Possession of horn is not sex linked, but the size is affected by sex as the males generally had high values of horn length. The males had higher morphometric parameters except for Leg length, Neck girth, Tail length, Rump width, and ear length. In conclusion, a mature male WAD goat weighs about 22kg, while a mature female WAD goat weighs about 18kg. Morphometric characters are affected by sex.
Keywords: Morphology, Variation, WAD Goat, Coat Colour, Coat Type.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8181431
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT23JUL607.pdf
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