Early growth trend and performance of three Ethiopian goat ecotypes under smallholder management systems

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the early growth performance of three Ethiopian goat populations (Bati, Borana and Short-eared Somali) from birth to 180 days and the influence of non-genetic factors such as sex, gemellarity and parity as well as goat ecotype on body weight (BW) and average daily weight gain (ADWG). Methods:A total of 350 heads of breeding does (113 Bati, 137 Borana and 100 Short-eared Somali) were used, and the kids were monitored for 1 year at birth, 30, 90 and 180 days of age. A total of 125 household flocks (46 Bati, 48 Borana and 31 Short-eared Somali) were monitored. Results:The birth BW of Bati (2.71 ± 0.04 kg; n = 139), Borana (2.36 ± 0.05 kg; n = 123) and Short-eared Somali (2.15 ± 0.08 kg; n = 46) remained significantly different (p < 0.01) in all successive observations until 180 days (16.31 ± 0.02, 13.9 ± 0.22, 13.75 ± 0.36, respectively). In overall, the sex of kids, gemellarity and parity of doe factors influenced the kid BW and ADWG during the early growth period mainly until 90 days, and consistently in Bati goat ecotype. In consequence, higher (p < 0.05) BW and ADWG were observed in males and singletons than in females and twins, respectively. In conclusion, our study confirms that non-genetic factors genetic affect these three Ethiopian goat ecotypes. The relative high BW of Bati goats suggest that this ecotype is profitable to improve growth performance using genetic selection.

Evaluation of growth and efficiency-related traits of different levels of Boer x Central Highland crossbred goats

“…In most animal species, average weight gain per day (WG) is used to evaluate growth rates and animals with higher growth rates can gain weight in a shorter period with a low amount of production inputs. The decreasing trend of weight gain when the age increases in this study concurs with Gatew et al. (2019) and Deribe and Taye (2013) .…”

“…In most animal species, average weight gain per day (WG) is used to evaluate growth rates and animals with higher growth rates can gain weight in a shorter period with a low amount of production inputs. The decreasing trend of weight gain when the age increases in this study concurs with Gatew et al (2019) and Deribe and Taye (2013). This is not surprising, because, besides genetic potential and other environmental factors, pre-weaning weight gain of kids is closely associated with the nutritional status of the dam, mothering ability and milk production potential of the dam.…”

“…The superiority of multiple-born kids in the post-weaning age is probably because of compensatory growth and due to their forceful adaptive capacity to the environmental variation. Several scholars noted the non-significant influence of sex on weight gain of goats ( Deribe et al., 2015 ; Zergaw et al., 2016 ; Gatew et al., 2019 ). On the other hand, it has been described ( Zhang et al., 2009 ; Baneh et al., 2012 ; Tesema et al., 2017 ) that sex has a substantial impact on the growth rate of goats.…”

Maternal, Postnatal, and Management-Related Factors Involved in Daily Weight Gain and Survivability of Suckling Zaraibi Goat Kids in Egypt

“…Several studies have shown the significant effects of PA on the early growth performance of kids from different goat breeds (Abergelle goats [ 24 ] and Ethiopian goats [ 25 ]). A significant association between the parity order and the ADG was revealed in the present study.…”

Characterization of Maasai Goats in Extensive Production System in Northern Tanzania: Description of Phenotype, Reproductive and Productive Performance

“…For that reason, exhaustive characterization programs helps to provide a better understanding of the potential of indigenous goat populations in Tanzania and allow for sustainable improvement and utilization. (Nguluma et al, 2016;Msemwa & Mbaga, 2018), for SEA goats in Rwanda (Manzi et al, 2011), for Tswana goats in Botswana (Katogole et al, 1996;Monau et al, 2018), for Beni arrous goats in Morocco (Hilal et al, 2014) and for indigenous goat populations from various ecological zones of Ethiopia (Muluneh et al, 2016;Gatew et al, 2017;Gebreyowhens & Kumar, 2017;Tilahun et al, 2019). Appearance of beards is influenced by sex (sexual dimorphism) and does displaying the feature might have more secretion of androgens, a male hormone (Adedeji et al, 2006;Hilal et al, 2014).…”