An analysis has been made of the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto goat of Nigeria. Data are based on records of 140 kiddings from 96 does. Age at first kidding was 435 ± 18-9 days. The mean litter size at first kidding was 1-45. Prolificacy increased with parity, the kidding percentages from first to third parities being 141, 186 and 200 respectively. Doe weight was significantly correlated with litter size (r = -0-27). Repeatabilities of litter size per doe kidding and of litter weight were negative. Heritability of litter size was 0-08 ± 0-02. Birth weights were low, the mean weight of kids during the 3 years ranging from 1-48 to 1-64 kg. Doe weight was related to litter weight in a manner such that litter weight as a proportion of doe weight tended to decline as doe weight increased. The ratio of litter weights of singles to twins at any given weight of the doe was 100:180. Kid mortality by 3 months of age was 30-8 %. Mortality among twins was only slightly higher than singles. However, mortality in kids born in multiple births (triplets and quadruplets) was much higher. Birth weights of surviving kids were significantly higher than of those that died.
Body measurements and weights of animals of varying ages were recorded in White Fulani (Bunaji), Sokoto Gudali and N'dama breeds of cattle. Chest girth accounted for 86-96% of the variation in body weight in the three breeds. The linear regression coefficient of weight on chest girth in the N'dama differed significantly from the other two breeds. Within each breed, the regression coefficient of young animals was lower than those of older groups. The variables that contributed most to improving the prediction of weights when added to chest girth were rump length and body length. Animals with low body condition scores had lower regression coefficients of weight on chest girth than those with high scores.
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