The study was undertaken to investigate the performance of Black Bengal goats and livelihood generated through goat rearing at 3 different villages namely Kaichapur, Salia and Shimulia at Phulpur Upazila (GPS: 24.9500°N and 90.3500°E) of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. The average birth weight, body weight at 6 and 12 months of Black Bengal goat (BBG) were 1.03 ± 0.01 kg, 7.75 ± 0.09 and 12.77 ± 0.16 kg, respectively and daily body weight gain at 0-6 and 6-12 months of age were 34.38±0.54 and 24.62±0.57 g respectively. The average litter size of does was 1.51±0.05 and kid mortality rate was 12.58%. The study revealed that, most of the goat owners were housewives. The educational status and goat rearing system of the farmers were also observed. Most of the farmers were either Primary (55%) or illiterate (38.3%). About 3.33% were below Secondary School certificate and 1.67% Higher Secondary School certificate level. Few farmers have completed their graduation (1.67%). The average net profit from one goat in a year was Tk.754. The expenditure on food purchase, health care, education, clothing, housing condition and social status of the farmers were increased, respectively at a scale of 22.79%, 6.56%, 14.47%, 4.34%, 14.22% and 19.35% due to increase of their income from goat rearing.

Abstract:The study was undertaken to characterize of Black Bengal Goat (BBG) under farming condition. Data on the different parameters were collected during July 2006 to June 2013 at BLRI goat research farm. A total of 299 animals of different ages from birth to 36 months of both sexes were included. All type of measurements were taken when goats standing freely. All measurements were taken in metric unit. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 17.0 statistical computer program. In BLRI goat herd, four different types of coat color were observed in BBG i.e. Black, Black and white, Black and brown and completely white. Body length is higher in males than that of females for all generation and age group. Male goats had higher heart girth than that of female goats irrespective of age and generations. Average adult (>24 months age) body weight of male and female goats as 29.9±1.76 and 23.6±0.81 kg, respectively. Wither height was higher in adult males than females for same age. Left and right horn length in both sexes ranged from 3.6 to 13.2 cm. Female goats had higher ear length than male goats. Tail length of Black Bengal goats ranged from 8.0±0.52 to 11.1±0.43 cm and tail breadth ranged from 2.1±0.10 to 3.6±0.43 cm for different age and sex group. Average male foreleg length in >24 months of age possessed higher than that of female. Average udder length and breadth of BBGs were 7.5±0. 24, 11.7±0.44 and 14.3±0.46 and 5.9±0.16, 7.4±0.28 and 7.8±0.23 cm, respectively for age groups 6-12, 12-24 and >24 months of age. The average testis length and breadth in adult males were 9.1±0.18, 7.5±0.48 and 9.8±0.49 and 6.8±0.13, 5.2±0.27 and 6.3±0.32, cm respectively for 6-12, 12-24 and >24 months of ages groups.

The current study was carried out using data of the Nucleus Herd and Community Herd of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) established through USDA funded Red Chittagong Cattle project under the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, BAU, Mymensingh. Data on 151 calves and 75 lactating cows were analyzed. The estimated heritability values were 0.45 ± 0.05 for birth weight, 0.48 ± 0.05 for weaning weight, 0.41 ± 0.08 for pre-weaning daily gain, 0.47 ± 0.06 for lactation length, 0.43 ± 0.07 for lactation milk yield and 0.35 ± 0.09 for average daily milk yield. The highest Breeding Value (BV) were for birth weight (3.2 kg), weaning weight (24.46 kg), pre-weaning daily gain (82.39g), lactation length (52.25 days), lactation milk yield (186.04 kg) and average daily milk yield (0.66 kg). The minimum and maximum phenotypic index values by using phenotypic parameters were for growth traits (1196.24 and 4713.24) and milk production traits (8573.93 and 40670.81). The minimum and maximum genetic index values by using breeding values were for growth traits (1812.49 and 2870.21) and milk production traits (-1812.49 and 2870.21). All the estimated index values can be used in animal selection and breeding programs for RCC improvement and similar index selection can be applied for other indigenous cattle development programs in Bangladesh or elsewhere. SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 141-154(2019)

The study was undertaken to evaluate the genetic progress of Black Bengal Goat (BBG) by estimating genetic parameters viz. heritability and breeding values for economically important productive and reproductive traits (birth weight, weight at 3, 6, 9 & 12 months, daily milk yield, lactation length, total milk yield and litter size of BBG goat population). Variance and co-variance components were analyzed applying Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) approach by VCE 4.2.5 computer package. The heritability (h2) of birth weight was estimated as 0.2, which was low. The heritability estimates for 3-month weight (0.40), 6-month weight (0.50), 9-month weight (0.37) and 12-month weight (0.36) were found medium. Estimated h2 of daily milk yield, total milk yield and lactation length in this study were from 0.55 to 0.82.  h2 of litter size was 0.09. The maximum estimated breeding value (EBV) was found for 6 month body weight (12.94 kg), however, for daily milk yield, the value was 1.513 kg. The results found in this study revealed that genetic improvement of BBG for most of the traits is possible by selection and breeding. Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 20(1-2): 8-17, Jan-Dec 2013

The research was conducted of a indigenous goat rearing community named “Deshi Chaagol Palon Mohila Somoby Somity Ltd” at three villages namely Pachpai, Borochala and Gangatia under Bhaluka Upazilla, Mymensingh district. Fifty (50) farmers were selected randomly in the study area to conduct baseline survey with help of well organized questionnaire which developed through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Among livestock, 31 % goat, 29% chicken and 28% cattle were reared in the project areas. 49% goats were solid Black and 36% were Black Boiragi. The profession of the farmer was agriculture (80%). The education level of the farmers was 32% illiterate and 36% were also completed primary education (1-5 class). The average family size, annual income and land size were 4.28±0.15, 83910.00±4330.61 Tk. and 45.78±6.12 decimal, respectively. Farmer’s goat rearing experience was 11.70±1.05 years. Maximum farmers (76%) were reared their goats by semi-intensive systems. Development of data based on socio-economic status of farmers during this study might help in decision making on evaluation of performance of goat at farmer’s community. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2018, 3 (1), 11-16