The West African Dwarf (WAD) goats are the predominant breed of goats in Ghana. The present study aimed at assessing the growth performance (Birth weight-BWT, Pre-weaning growth rate-PREWGR, Weaning weight-WWT, Post-weaning growth rate-POSWGR and Yearling weight-YWT) of WAD goats reared in the transitional zone. About 809 breeding records from 2005-2012, live weight and linear body measurements (of 325 animals) were collected on WAD goats and subjected to GLM procedure to determine the fixed effects of sex, type of birth, season of birth and year of birth on growth performance. The fixed effects of sex and age on body measurements were also tested and then regression analysis done with body measurements. The sex of kid had significant effect (p<0.05) on pre-weaning growth rate and weaning weight, with males recording 32.42 g dayG 1 and 5.30 kg and females recording 31.75 g dayG 1 and 5.21 kg, respectively. Only birth and weaning weights were significantly (p<0.01) affected by type of birth as single born kids recorded highest values for BWT (1.56±0.02) and WWT (5.49±0.03). Kids born in the rainy season had significantly (p<0.05) higher values for POSWGR and YWT. The influence of year of birth was significant (p<0.05) on all growth parameters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.