The health performance of imported Boer goat (Capra hircus) and their crosses with Woito-guji goat breeds in South Omo Zone, South-Western Ethiopia.

Abstract

Goat production in Ethiopia is constrained by various bottlenecks and low genetic performance of local breeds is among them. Southern Agricultural Research Institute had introduced Boer goats, for crossing, evaluate and distribute to users. This research was conducted to assess the survivability and productive and reproductive performance of Boers and its crosses, on animals managed in on-station, Jinka Research Center and Key-afer Goat Research Station from January 2011 to March 2014. The diseases affecting the imported flock were heart water, pyogenic infections/caseous lymphadenitis, and wart/orf diseases with crude mortality rate of 47.6% and case fatality rates of 40.7, 2.4, and 4.7%, respectively. Heart water was responsible for 85% of the overall deaths. The twining percentage of Boer goats was found to be 36.3%, which was by far superior to that of Woito-guji breeds. The mortality rate in 50% crosses was found to be 35.2%; 54.5 and 20.6% in Jinka and Key-afer, respectively. The survival rate of 50% cross kids was found to be associated with birth weight and location. The average birth weight and 1 month weight of 75% crosses was found to be 3.25 ± 0.43 and 7.12 ± 1.57 kg, respectively. The 75% crosses survival rate up to weaning was found to be 100%. Despite improvement in productive and reproductive performance through increased exotic blood level, the survivability was strangely questioned for pure and higher blood levels in South Omo Zone. Pure Boer and 75% crosses could better adapt and perform in intensive and semi-intensive production systems. Small holder and pastoral livestock production systems, like South Omo Zone area, should focus on managing 50 % cross sires and rearing 25% crosses for market.