| Livestock Research for Rural Development 28 (1) 2016 | Guide for preparation of papers | LRRD Newsletter | Citation of this paper |
The study was conducted to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance of Central Highland and Woyto-Guji goat breeds in Meta-Robi and Konso districts, respectively. A total of 240 farmers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires to describe kidding pattern, kidding interval, weaning age and milk production. On-farm performance traits were recorded on 730 goats of 157 households.
In Konso, majority of kidding occurred in May, whereas in Meta-Robi it was in September. There was a difference in the average kidding interval and age at weaning between the breeds. Kids birth weight (2.03 Vs. 2.68kg) and does postpartum weight (26.6 Vs. 28.2kg) were lower in Woyto-Guji goats than in Central Highland goats. Average 90 day kids' weight and average daily weight gain between birth and 90 days were not different among the breeds. Average 180 day weight (15.7 Vs. 11.5kg) and average daily weight gain between 91 and 180 days (65.4 Vs. 31.9 g/day) were better in Central Highland goats than in Woyto-Guji goats.
Key words: Konso, Meta-Robi, on-farm, productive performance, reproductive performance
The reproduction and growth performances of small ruminants are important factors influencing flock productivity (ILCA 1990). The growth traits are important factors influencing profitability in any meat producing enterprise. The reproductive process, birth weight and early growth rate of animals are determined not only by genetic potential, but also by maternal and environmental factors (Mandal et al 2006). Body weights and growth rates in pre-weaning are often considered as an early indicator of the late growth and economic benefit and can affect body weight at puberty and at first kidding (Portolano et al 2002; Hanford et al 2006).
Reproductive efficiency in female goats is determined by the length of the breeding season, cyclic activity, ovulation rate, fertilization rate, the postpartum an estrous period and the growth and viability of the offspring. Reproductive efficiency as such can be measured and expressed as age at first kidding, kidding interval, birth type and the litter sizes at birth and the weaning rate (Greyling 2000).
Performance studies under traditional management practices (on-farm) would provide information on location specific production conditions of performance by breeds and individual animals and breed improvement options appropriate to the system (Peters 1989; Rey et al 1992). Without such information, some breed populations and unique characteristics they contain may decline significantly, or be lost, before their value is recognized and measures taken to conserve them (FAO 2007; FAO 2011). This study was conducted to compare the reproductive and productive performances of Central Highland and Woyto-Guji goat breeds under a traditional production system in Ethiopia.
Sampling of Central Highland and Woyto-Guji breeds were from Meta-Robi and Konso districts, respectively. Meta-Robi is located 100 km north-west from the capital Addis Ababa. The district lies in a hilly landscape at elevations from 1,200 to 2,900 m.a.s.l and located at 9020’ N latitude and 38010’ E longitude. The mean annual temperature and rainfall ranges from 230C to 310C and 750 mm to 1100 mm, respectively. Precipitation is relatively low and mainly occurs during two seasons: The small rainfall, locally called ‘Belg’ rain, between March and April, and the big rain called ‘Meher’ rain between June and September (MKC-RDA 2009). Over 95 % of the population practices mixed crop-livestock production system (Emmenegger 2012).
Konso is located 595km away from Addis Ababa in the southwest of Ethiopia; it is located at 50 17' 36'' N latitude and 370 29' 05'' E longitude and lies between 600 to 2100 m.a.s.l (Konso district agricultural office 2008). The temperature ranges between 12 to 330C (Tesfaye 2003). The annual rainfall variation is between 400 and 1000mm. The rain follows a bimodal pattern there are two rainy season’s i.e.”Belg” big rains with the period starting mid February and lasts until April and the small rain period ”Meher” occurring around October and November (Cheung 2008). The production system is integrated crop-livestock system (Forch 2003).
The household survey used a set of semi structured questionnaires. This questionnaire was designed to obtain information from respondents on kidding pattern, kidding interval, weaning age and milk production. Based on the goat population size and the relative significance of goats to the livelihood of the communities, four villages were accordingly selected from each district for the administration of the questioner. A total of 120 well experienced goat owners were randomly selected for administration of the semi-structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions (FGD) were held with selected farmers that included the elderly, women and people believed to be knowledgeable about past and present social and economic status of the area.
On-farm flock monitoring was carried out in three peasant associations (PAs) of Meta-Robi and Konso districts for evaluation of growth performance of Central Highland and Woyto-Guji goat breeds, in that order. Flocks of 157 households (107 from Konso and 50 from Meta-Robi) were monitored between June 2013 and May 2014. A total of 730 animals (360 from Woyto-Guji and 370 Central Highland goats) were ear-tagged at the start of the study and all additions to the flock were ear tagged on entry into the flock. At the start of the study, animal's age was determined from dentition (Okeyo et al 1991) backed up by the farmers recall of animals born in the flock.
Records of growth data included: birth date, birth weight, postpartum doe body weight, type of birth, sex of kid and doe parity taken within 24 hours of birth/kidding. Body weight was taken every 15 days using spring balance scale (10 kg capacity for weighing kids and 50 kg capacity for adults). Growth rate (Average Daily Weight Gain, ADWG) was computed as: 90 days ADWG (gram) = between birth weight and 90 day weight and 180 days ADWG (gram) = between 91 and 180 day weight. Data were collected by trained enumerators supervised by district experts and researchers in 15 days interval.
Data collected through questionnaire were coded and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS for windows, release 14.0 2006). For data involving frequencies, descriptive statistics were in use and Chi-square or t-test was employed when required to test the independence of categories or to assess the statistical significance. The index was calculated for ranking variable (kidding pattern) by using the formula: Index = Sum of (3 X number of households ranked first + 2 X number of households ranked second + 1 X number of households ranked third) given for an individual reason divided by the sum of (3 X number of households ranked first + 2 X number of households ranked second + 1 X number of households ranked third) for overall reasons.
The General Linear Model (GLM) procedure (PROC GLM) of SAS (SAS Version 9.2 2008) was used to analyze growth traits. The following fixed effects, i.e., goat breed, parity, birth type and sex were used as a class variable. The effect of class variables was expressed as Least Square Mean (LSM) ± SE.
Yijklm= μ+Gi+Sj+Bk+Pl+eijklm
Where:
Yijklm= Observation on birth weight, 90 day weight, 180 day weight, 90 and 180 day average
daily weight gain
μ= The overall mean
Gi= Fixed effect of the ith goat breed (i=Woyto-Guji, Central Highland)
Sj= Fixed effects of the jth sex (j=male, female)
Bk= Fixed effects of the kth birth type (k=single, twine, triplet)
Pl= Fixed effect of the lth parity (l=1,2,3,4,5,≥6)
eijklm= Random error
There was seasonal variation in kidding pattern between the study areas (Table 1). In Konso, majority of kidding occurred in May, while in Meta-Robi most births occurred in September. The result revealed that the majority of does gave birth at the end of the long rainy season. During this period goats probably had enough feeds from grain leftovers, grasses, trees weeds and shrubs. Rosa and Bryant (2002) reported that nutrition was a key factor for increased conception and subsequent lambing and kidding recorded. This study is in agreement with Deribe (2009) in Alaba that reported more frequent kidding and lambing were occurred mainly at the end of the long rainy seasons.
|
Table 1. Ranking of kidding pattern of most birth occurrences |
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|
Month |
District |
|||||||
|
Konso |
Meta-Robi |
|||||||
|
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
I |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
I |
|
|
May |
36 |
36 |
9 |
0.27 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
0.06 |
|
April |
38 |
12 |
2 |
0.2 |
3 |
12 |
5 |
0.06 |
|
June |
11 |
17 |
34 |
0.14 |
24 |
9 |
9 |
0.14 |
|
July |
6 |
24 |
10 |
0.11 |
14 |
9 |
6 |
0.1 |
|
September |
4 |
2 |
37 |
0.07 |
27 |
29 |
16 |
0.23 |
|
March |
9 |
3 |
2 |
0.05 |
8 |
1 |
5 |
0.05 |
|
October |
2 |
5 |
11 |
0.04 |
16 |
24 |
17 |
0.16 |
|
August |
2 |
8 |
2 |
0.03 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
0.02 |
|
February |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0.03 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0.02 |
|
January |
3 |
5 |
1 |
0.03 |
6 |
2 |
7 |
0.04 |
|
November |
1 |
2 |
8 |
0.02 |
3 |
7 |
24 |
0.07 |
|
December |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0.02 |
5 |
6 |
10 |
0.05 |
|
R1, R2 and R3 = rank 1, 2 and 3, respectively. I = index: Index = sum of (3 for rank 2 + 2 for rank 2+ 1 for rank 3) given for an individual reason (attribute) divided by the sum of (3 for rank 1+ 2 for rank 2+ 1 for rank 3) for overall reasons. |
||||||||
The average kidding interval (KI) of Woyto-Guji goats was shorter than Central Highland goats (Table 2). Similar values were reported in Bangladesh for Black Bengal Goats (Hassan et al 2007). This result is lower than the report of Belay (2008) that demonstrated for Abergelle and Central Highland goats in Sekota district. The variations within and across region and farming systems might be attributed to the differences in husbandry, lactation length, feeding and levels of genetic makeup on possibilities for prompt re-conception after lambing or kidding (Mukassa and Lahlou-kassi 1995).
Average age of weaning of Central Highland goats was higher than that of Woyto-Guji (3.84 Vs. 5.5 months) (Table 2).
|
Table 2. Summary of average weaning age and kidding interval |
|||
|
Descriptors in month |
Goat types |
||
|
Woyto-Guji |
CHL |
p |
|
|
(Mean±SD) |
(Mean±SD) |
||
|
Weaning age |
5.51±0.85 |
3.84±1.47 |
0.002 |
|
Kidding interval |
5.47±0.96 |
6.6±1.37 |
0.004 |
|
SD = Standard deviation; CHL=Central Highland |
|||
The milk of small ruminants has been consumed by many farming communities, although there is variation between farming systems, cultural and socioeconomic conditions of the society (Belete 2009). From Meta-Robi, goat owners do not utilize goat milk. According to FGD held with farmers, cow was the only animal to be considered as milk source for human consumption. However, other authors (Gebreyesus 2012; Biruh 2013) claim that goat milk utilized in different parts of the country. The milk yield and lactation length in Konso are presented in Table 3. The majority (83%) of respondents in Konso utilized raw goat milk. The bulk of milk was mostly used for family consumption; however, using it as a source of cash income is taboo. According to FGD and key informative, there is a cultural belief about the medicinal value of goat milk especially for infants. Consistent with the findings of this research, Workneh (1992) reported that the poorest families in Konso, goat provide the only milk to feed to children.
During the wet seasons, 58% of respondents milked their does twice a day, from which 91% of them milked less than one litter per day. However, during dry seasons 42% of respondents milked their does once a day and all of them milked less than one litter per day. The average lactation period in wet and dry seasons was 4.79 and 4.65 month, respectively.
|
Table 3. Some aspects of milk production in Konso district |
||||||
|
Descriptor |
Wet season |
Dry season |
||||
|
N |
% |
(Mean±SD) |
N |
% |
(Mean±SD) |
|
|
Lactation (months) |
68 |
- |
4.79±0.94 |
65 |
- |
4.65±1.04 |
|
Milk yield (liters/day) |
||||||
|
<1 |
64 |
91.4 |
- |
64 |
100 |
- |
|
1-2 |
6 |
8.6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Frequency of milking per day |
66 |
58 |
Twice |
64 |
42 |
Once |
|
N = Number of households; SD = Standard deviation |
||||||
Central Highland goats had higher birth weight than Woyto-Guji goats (Table 4). Deribe (2009) determined lower average birth weight of Abergelle and Alaba kids, respectively. However, the birth weight of Central Highland kids as obtained in the present study corresponds with the result obtained by Hulunim (2014) for Borena kids. The difference in birth weight in livestock may be attributed to the effect of breed besides that of the non genetic parameters such as season of birth and parity. The birth weight of the kids is also influenced by the nutrition the dam received during the pregnancy term (Otuma and Osakwe 2008; Singh and Ramachnadran 2007).
Parity of doe and kids’ sex had no effect on birth weight of both goat breeds. Single born kids were heavier at birth than those born as twins in both breeds and as a triplet for Central Highland (Table 4). The differences in birth weight in different litter size might be due to the small size and weight of the twin in the uterus. Das et al (1996) confirmed that birth weight decreased with increase in litter size in the uterus; as the amount of fetuses increase, the number of councils attached to each fetus decreases, thus reducing the feed supply to the fetus and hence a reduction in the birth weight of the lambs.
Central Highland does were heavier after kidding than Woyto-Guji does, and this could be attributed to the difference in genotype and the management of the does during gestation. Demeke et al (1995) pointed out that the effect of supplementation during gestation on postpartum weight was significant. Niftalem (1990) reported an effect of flock and attendant which indicates the importance of management.
|
Table 4. Least Squares means of kids' birth weight |
|||||||
|
Variable |
Central Highland KBW (kg) |
Woyto-Guji KBW (kg) |
p |
||||
|
N |
LSM±SE |
p |
N |
LSM±SE |
p |
||
|
Overall |
347 |
2.68±0.04 |
359 |
2.03±0.04 |
<.0001 |
||
|
Parity of dam |
0.69 |
0.34 |
|||||
|
1 |
40 |
2.53±0.12 |
75 |
1.94±0.06 |
|||
|
2 |
44 |
2.76±0.11 |
61 |
1.96±0.06 |
|||
|
3 |
45 |
2.67±0.11 |
59 |
1.93±0.06 |
|||
|
4 |
54 |
2.83±0.1 |
58 |
2±0.06 |
|||
|
5 |
56 |
2.78±0.1 |
29 |
2.08±0.08 |
|||
|
≥6 |
45 |
2.51±0.11 |
32 |
2.09±0.07 |
|||
|
Sex |
0.09 |
0.1 |
|||||
|
Male |
184 |
2.74±0.06 |
207 |
2.04±0.04 |
|||
|
Female |
163 |
2.62±0.06 |
152 |
1.96±0.04 |
|||
|
Type of birth |
<.0001 |
0.002 |
|||||
|
Single |
187 |
2.7±0.06b |
311 |
2.12±0.03a |
|||
|
Twin |
146 |
2.66±0.07b |
48 |
1.89±0.06b |
|||
|
Triplet |
10 |
3.82±1.55a |
- |
- |
|||
|
Does’ postpartum weight |
348 |
28.15±0.26 |
357 |
26.63±0.25 |
<.0001 |
||
|
Means in the same column without common subscripts differ at p<0.05; KBW=kid birth weight; LSM=Least Square Mean; SE=standard error; N=number of observation; |
|||||||
The average 90 day weight of Woyto-Guji and Central Highland kids were 9.04 and 9.42 kg, respectively (Table 5). The present result concurs with the findings of Belay (2008) for Central Highland goats under traditional and slightly improved management system. However, Hulunim (2014) stated the higher 90 days kids’ weight Borena goats under field condition.
Sex had no influence on average 90 and 180 day kids’ weight in both breeds, however, birth type had an influence on average 90 day weight of Central Highland goats and on average 180 day weight for Woyto-Guji goats. Parity of doe had no effect in 90 days average weights for Woyto-Guji goats, while it was highly influenced Central Highland goats (Table 5). Those from first parity dams had a lower growth rate than last parity. This indicates that as the doe parity increased they are able to provide more milk than first parity does (Eltawil et al 1970).
The average 180 day weight of Central Highland kids was higher than Woyto-Guji kids (Table 5). The present result was higher than that of Abergelle as reported by Belay and Mengistie (2013).
|
Table 5. Least square means of average body weight at 90 and 180 days |
|||||||
|
Breed |
Variable |
90 DW (kg) |
180 DW (kg) |
||||
|
N |
LSM±SE |
p |
N |
LSM±SE |
p |
||
|
Overall |
372 |
0.14 |
229 |
<.0001 |
|||
|
Woyto-Guji |
214 |
9.04±0.18 |
134 |
11.49±0.47b |
|||
|
CHL |
158 |
9.42±0.19 |
95 |
15.73±0.54a |
|||
|
CHL |
Sex |
0.37 |
0.77 |
||||
|
Male |
82 |
9.55±0.29 |
46 |
15.05±1.21 |
|||
|
Female |
76 |
9.08±0.3 |
49 |
15.51±1.14 |
|||
|
Parity |
0.001 |
0.21 |
|||||
|
1 |
12 |
7.79±0.71c |
10 |
11.65±2.51 |
|||
|
2 |
25 |
9.4±0.5abc |
16 |
14.87±1.88 |
|||
|
3 |
19 |
9.99±0.55ab |
10 |
15.62±2.38 |
|||
|
4 |
29 |
10.59±0.47a |
16 |
16.34±2.32 |
|||
|
5 |
31 |
9.52±0.43ab |
20 |
18.11±1.5 |
|||
|
≥6 |
28 |
8.6±0.48bc |
16 |
13.88±2.01 |
|||
|
Birth type |
0.03 |
0.26 |
|||||
|
Single |
79 |
9.77±0.28 a |
60 |
16.67±0.96 |
|||
|
Twin |
70 |
8.86±0.36b |
29 |
13.89±1.5 |
|||
|
Woyto-Guji |
Sex |
0.41 |
0.46 |
||||
|
Male |
125 |
9.21±0.25 |
74 |
11.79±0.34 |
|||
|
Female |
89 |
8.95±0.26 |
60 |
11.47±0.35 |
|||
|
Parity |
0.45 |
0.49 |
|||||
|
1 |
45 |
9.03±0.36 |
29 |
11.67±0.5 |
|||
|
2 |
36 |
8.81±0.4 |
22 |
10.9±0.57 |
|||
|
3 |
37 |
8.71±0.37 |
26 |
11.27±0.5 |
|||
|
4 |
37 |
9.56±0.35 |
25 |
12.32±0.48 |
|||
|
5 |
17 |
8.83±0.52 |
15 |
11.62±0.64 |
|||
|
≥6 |
22 |
9.53±0.45 |
13 |
11.98±0.69 |
|||
|
Birth type |
0.087 |
0.025 |
|||||
|
Single |
176 |
9.44±0.18 |
104 |
12.26±0.25a |
|||
|
Twin |
38 |
8.72±0.36 |
30 |
11±0.48b |
|||
|
Means in the same column without common subscripts differ at p<0.05; CHL=Central Highland; DW=day weight; LSM=Least Square Mean; SE=standard error; N=number of observation; |
|||||||
Woyto-Guji and Central Highland did not differ on the mean daily weight gain between birth and 90 days (Table 6). This result is in agreement with the result of Central Highland in Sekota district (Belay 2008). However, it was higher than pre-weaning growth rate of Abergelle (Belay 2008) but lower than Bati and Borena (Hulunim 2014). The differences in the pre-weaning weight gains are closely associated with the differences in level of milk intake during milk feeding period and the nutritional status of the doe (Negi et al 1987; Singh et al 1987).
The analysis of variance revealed neither parity of doe nor birth type had effect on average 90 day growth rate in Woyto-Guji kids, while sex had no effect on both goats (Table 6). Parity of does affected 90 day growth rate of Central Highland goats. The growth rate was higher in single born Central Highland kids than twins. Lyatuu et al (1994) reported that after birth, single kids had an advantage over twins as the twins had to compete for milk from their dam’s, single kids had sufficient milk for growth to weaning.
Central Highland goats had better average daily weight gain (between 91 and 180days) than Woyto-Guji (Table 6). Parity of doe, sex and birth type had no influence on average daily weight gain (between 91 and 180days) in both breeds. This result is in agreement with the report of Belay (2008) stated that the post weaning growth rate of Central Highland and Abergelle goat breeds was not influenced by parity and type of birth. However, Hulunim (2014) reported that parity had an effect on daily weight gain from 91 to 180 days for Bati, Borena and Short-eared Somali goat population.
|
Table 6. Least square means of daily weight gain (birth-90days and 91-180 days) |
|||||||||||||
|
Variable |
Central Highland |
Woyto-Guji |
|||||||||||
|
g/d (birth-90 days) |
g/d (91-180days) |
g/d (birth-90 days) |
g/d (91-180days) |
||||||||||
|
N |
LSM±SE |
Prob. |
N |
LSM±SE |
Prob. |
N |
LSM±SE |
Prob. |
N |
LSM±SE |
Prob. |
||
|
Overall |
158 |
77.67±1.88 |
95 |
65.4±2.84 |
214 |
73.93±2.01 |
134 |
31.92±2.33 |
|||||
|
Sex |
0.81 |
0.29 |
0.66 |
0.62 |
|||||||||
|
Male |
82 |
74.29±3.02 |
46 |
71.07±5.61 |
125 |
79.24±2.56 |
31.93±2.59 |
||||||
|
Female |
76 |
70.91±3.1 |
49 |
63.61±5.06 |
89 |
77.86±2.63 |
30.31±2.7 |
||||||
|
Parity |
0.0004 |
0.09 |
0.49 |
0.99 |
|||||||||
|
1 |
12 |
57.08±7.26c |
10 |
56.74±12.01 |
45 |
78.41±3.71 |
29 |
32.29±3.82 |
|||||
|
2 |
25 |
71.11±5.17bc |
16 |
66.42±9.11 |
36 |
76.24±4.13 |
22 |
30.12±4.39 |
|||||
|
3 |
19 |
74.9±5.81ab |
10 |
91.13±10.61 |
37 |
75.57±3.8 |
26 |
31.12±3.85 |
|||||
|
4 |
29 |
88.16±4.93a |
16 |
71.07±7.51 |
37 |
84.03±3.64 |
25 |
33.1±3.7 |
|||||
|
5 |
31 |
75.71±4.55ab |
20 |
65.03±6.97 |
17 |
74.77±5.33 |
15 |
30.52±4.88 |
|||||
|
≥6 |
28 |
68.63±4.91bc |
16 |
53.66±8.43 |
22 |
82.26±4.65 |
13 |
29.62±5.28 |
|||||
|
Birth type |
<.0001 |
0.64 |
0.13 |
0.11 |
|||||||||
|
Single |
79 |
79.73±2.94a |
60 |
63.26±4.34 |
176 |
81.8±41.9 |
104 |
34.58±1.95 |
|||||
|
Twin |
70 |
65.47±3.75b |
29 |
71.42±7.2 |
38 |
75.25±3.72 |
30 |
27.66±3.71 |
|||||
|
Means in the same column without common subscript are significantly different at P<0.05; LSM=Least Square Mean; SE=standard error; N=number of observation; |
|||||||||||||
Woyto-Guji goats had short kidding interval than Central Highland goats, but Central Highland goats reached weaning age earlier than Woyto-Guji
Central Highland goats weighed more at birth and at 90 days, and post partum, and had greater weight gain between 91 and 180 days than Woyto-Guji goats
Sincere appreciation is extended to the ILRI project ‘Harnessing genetic diversity for improving goat productivity in Ethiopia’ that provided the finance and necessary facilitation.
Belay Derbe 2008 Growth, Reproductive, Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Abergelle and Central Highland Goat Types under Traditional and Slightly Improved Management in Sekota. An M.Sc. thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia. 73p.
Deribe B and M Taye 2013 Growth performance and carcass characteristics of Central Highland goats in Sekota district, Ethiopia. Agric. Adv., 2: 250-258, from http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjbs.2013.692.696
Belete Shenkutie 2009 Production and marketing systems of small ruminants in Goma district of Jimma Zone Western Ethiopia. An M.Sc. Thesis, Hawassa University, April, 2009, Hawassa, Ethiopia.pp.34-105
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Received 19 May 2015; Accepted 5 December 2015; Published 2 January 2016