Sokoto Red and Sahelian goats: The untapped potential for improving meat production in the developing economy of Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted on indigenous unselected Sokoto Red (SR) and Sahel (SH) goats in National Animal Production Research Institute, (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika- Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was carried out to understand how birth, pre- weaning and post-weaning weights in the SR and SH goats can be used to improve their productivity. Thirty kids (10 males and 20 females) of SR and thirty kids (10 males and 20 females) of SH breeds of goat were utilised for this study. Results obtained showed that the coefficient of variation (CV) was very low. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among mean bodyweight at birth, 30 days pre-weaning, 60 days pre-weaning, 90 days post- weaning and 120 days post-weaning weights of SR and SH goats except at 150 days post- weaning weight. Highly positive phenotypic correlations existed in the SR goats between 90- day weaning weight and 120-day post weaning; 90-day weaning weight and 150-day post weaning.120-day post weaning weight and 150-day post weaning.The birth weight of the SH goats were highly significant (P<0.05) and positively correlated with body weight at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days old. It was observed that the sampled population was homogeneous for all traits. The 90-day weight of the SR can be utilised to improve for body weight at 30-, 120- and 150- days of age while in the SH goat, selection for high birth weight would enhance improvement for high body weight at later stages of growth.