Effect of coat colour on morphological characteristics of Red Sokoto, Sahel and West African Dwarf goats

Abstract

The need to classify animals into breeds has necessitated the study of coat colour and its overall impact on livestock productivity. There exists paucity of information on the impact of coat colour on morphometrics of goats in Nigeria and this study was designed to fill that knowledge gap. Color morphological character was used to determine the relationship among Red Sokoto, Sahel and West Africa Dwarf at different ages (Less than one year, one to two years and above two years). 300 each of Red Sokoto, Sahel and WAD goats, with 150 males and females per breed and 100 across ages (<1year old, 1-2 years old and 2-3 years old) from Sokoto, Borno and Ogun state were sampled and were sorted into colour groups within breeds and different age groups and the effect of this on body measurements and body weight were evaluated. It was generally observed that coat colour influence varied with sexes and ages and moderately influenced many body mensuration traits with no definite pattern between breeds, ages and sex. Brown goats with white spots weighed heavier (body weight), grew taller (height at wither and stature) and had greater depth (D) and girth (HG); followed by white and brown, brown (B) and dark red (DR) coat coloured goats. The black with black spotted pigments had the least figures for production parameters on the average. It was concluded that although, coat colour appeared as a weak factor influencing body growth, it nevertheless, is a moderate factor that influences body morphometry.