Estimates of Phenotypic and Genetic Correlations in West African Dwarf Goats

Abstract

Records on 848 West African dwarf goat kids and 220 kiddings over a period of eight year's (1982-1989) were analyzed. The records were used to provide estimates of phenotypic and venetic correlations among parity, kidding interval, litter size at birth and body weight at various ages. Plenotypic correlation coefficients of +0.33 (P<0.01) and -0,17 (P<0.01) were obtained when parity was correlated with litter size at birth and kidding interval respectively. Phenotypic correlations among body weights were generally positive and significant (P<0.01). Parity was positively correlated (P<0.01) with body weight at the various ages except at 1 year (P>0.05). Litter size was, however, negatively correlated (P<0.01) with body weight at the various ages except at 1 year (P<0.05). The genetic correlations among body weights at variuus ages were positive and significant (P<0.01). Selection for body weight at in earlier age especially at 3 months is likely to result in improvement of yearling body weight.

Effect of Weight at First Mating on the Performance of New Zealand White Rabbit Population in the Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

“…The gestation length (GL) values obtained in this study were in line with what has been reported in the literature. Values between 29 to 33 days were reported by [15]. 28.10 to 30.40 days and 29.92 days were reported for some breeds of rabbits in Southern and Northern Nigeria [14].…”