Goat production system in peri-urban areas of Khartoum state, Sudan

Abstract

Data was collected from one hundred goats’ owners from peri- urban areas in Khartoum state and were used to study the characteristics of dairy goat production. Reproduction traits, diseases prevalence, breeding objectives, feeding, housing and constraints were investigated. Crossbred flocks had the highest flock size, followed by flocks made up of Nubian goats and pure Saanen flocks recorded the lowest herd size. The main reasons for males to exit the flock were sales, slaughter and gifts. The main reasons for females’ disposal were sales, death and gifts. 33.0% of owners constructed goat pens using untreated wood, 32.0% of owners used plastic sheets and scrap iron, 19.0% used iron sheets, and 11.0% used mud and a few used bricks and concrete for construction. A Few owners had clear ideas about the long-term aims of their goat enterprise. Most owners suggested improvement of their goats by crossing, while a few suggested improvement by selection and management. The Saanen breed seems to be a suitable dairy breed for crossing purposes in the Sudan.