Indigenous Goat Selection and Breeding Practices in Pastoral areas of West Guji zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Placing relevant breeding objectives and identification of indigenous breeding practices is crucial to integrating modern development in animal breeding into purposeful industry programs. Hence, the objective of this study was to identify selection criteria and indigenous breeding practices of the goat in Abaya and Galan district southern Oromia, part of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 180 households through interview schedules and focus group discussions. The effective population size and inbreeding rate of the community were calculated using ΔF = 1/2Ne. Conformation, growth rate, coat color for buck and conformation, twining ability, age at sexual maturity, kidding interval, and color for females are selection criteria for replacement of stock in the study area. In both districts, farmers have relatively similar production and breeding objectives. Conformation is hub selection criteria for replacement of breeding flock. The study area has liable by inbreeding 0.22 in Abaya and 0.29 in Galan. Goat in the study area is prolific twinning birth (72.22%). Trait preferences of farmers in goats were conformation, growth rate, twinning, and kidding interval. Hence adopting a community-based goat breeding program that is suited to study areas which aimed at improving preferred traits is relevant.