Abstract
The purpose of the study was to establish the structure of monitored animal farms and determine reproductive parameters of Sahelian goats in the Guera Region, in Central Chad. Data were collected through longitudinal survey in 27 observatory farms during three years using goats identified by numbered ear tags. The herds were composed on average of about 71% of females. The age pyramid covering all years showed a significant number of males aged between 0 - 1 year and perceptible fall thereafter. However, some stability was observed in the class of the 2 - 8 years old among females. The frequencies of accumulated kiddings showed that 44% of births occurred in the rainy season against 28% respectively in the cool dry and hot dry seasons. Obtained reproduction parameters were: a sex ratio of 0.51 in favor of males, a kidding interval of 10.6 months with significant differences (P < 0.05) according to the rank of birth, an age at first kidding of 16.5 months for females born in monitoring and an age of 20.3 months for all first-kidding, giving an apparent fertility rate of 145%, a fecundity rate of 116% and an abortion rate of 2%. The composition and structure of herds have highlighted the importance of females to ensure the reproducibility of goat production systems. The determined reproduction parameters are references for actions to improve goat rearing in this area.
Highlights
The severe droughts recorded during the past three decades (1970, 1980 and 1990) have compelled to put back on the agenda the rearing of goats in the Sahel
The consumption of milk and meat improves the food diet of the pastoralists, because they are a significant protein source. These facts are shared by different authors [4]-[7] who note that the sustainable development of goat production is a means to improve the quality of life in developing countries, among the needed production parameters to know those of reproduction rank prominently in order to lead any intervention
The study established for the first time through longitudinal survey of the structure of goat herds and determined reproductive parameters of goats in the Guera Region, in the Sahelian strip of Chad
Summary
The severe droughts recorded during the past three decades (1970, 1980 and 1990) have compelled to put back on the agenda the rearing of goats in the Sahel. The capacity for the adaptation and selection of fodder resources of these animals in harsh environments contribute to identify them as choice livestock for this area [1]-[3] Small ruminants such as goats provide breeders a substantial income from the sale of live animals and milk. The practice of conducting these animals is in pastoralism, nomadic or sedentary modes. These rearing methods are the effect of the existence of three major geo-climatic zones (namely the Saharan, the Sahelian and the Sudanian zo nes). T here are two breeds of goats in Chad, of which the Sahel goat or Sahelian goat and t he Djallonké-type Sudanian goat, sometimes called Kirdi goat or Kirdimi [1] [9]-[11]. Studies to determine the production parameters of goats were most often carried out in a timely manner in Chad [1]
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