CHARACTERIZATION OF ZARAIBI GOAT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN DELTA REGION OF EGYPT

Abstract

Personal interviews with 40 goat owners were conducted in three representative areas (Damietta, Port Said and Dakahlia) located in north delta, where Zaraibi goats are prevailing. The survey was carried out using structured questionnaires, during the period from February to August 2010, containing a total of 90 items grouped into goat owner production resources, management practices, goat production performance and their production constraints. The majority of households (75%) kept only goat herds and 25% owned both sheep and goats. The mean flock size was 12.6 heads, of which 53.74% consisted of does, 22.82% male kids, 19% female kids and 4.3% bucks. About 60% of the goat keepers keep goats mainly for saving purpose, the second main reason for income generation (30%), however, keeping goats for meat and milk purposes were ranked as third (5.9%) and fourth (4.5%) order, respectively. Usually the rate of majority of farmers supplementing females at suckling and late pregnancy stages 82.5 and 70%, respectively. In studied areas, 74.4% of breeders have their Zaraibi bucks. Average weaning age and marketing age were 4 and 7.5 months, respectively. Average weaning weight under household conditions was estimated as 14.8 kg. Average litter size has been recorded as 2.16 kids. Pre-weaning and post-weaning mortality were estimated as 11.47 and 2.76%, respectively. Kidding interval of goat farmer’s is estimated as 250 days. Female post-weaning sales (14.19%) was found to be lower than selling adult does. Female kids growth rate and physical characteristics had higher reasons for disposal of 67.5 and 50%, respectively. On the other hand, cash need, disease, slaughter for home consumption and injury had lower reasons for disposal of 12.5, 5.0, 2.5 and 2.5%, respectively. The poor fertility performance and cash need had higher reason for disposal for adult Zaraibi females. Goat milk is used mainly for suckling kids (58%), home consumption (39%) and supplementary income to the smallholder (3%).