Body weight changes of goats under agro-pastoral system in Zamfara grazing reserve, North-western Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of location and season on body weight changes of 127 agro-pastoral goats in the North, Centre and South of Zamfara grazing reserve, North-western Nigeria. The study goats were identified using plastic number-tags and weighed monthly for twelve months. Monthly body weight changes were determined for non-lactating does, lactating does, breeding bucks and weaner kids. Data obtained was analysed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means that showed significant difference were separated using LSD-test (t < 0.05). Results showed that non-lactating does and weaner kids gained higher (P < 0.05) in the Centre (0.7± 0.64 and 0.83±0.64 kg month^-1) than in the North (-0.11±0.99 and -0.77±1.6 kg month^-1) and South (0.03±0.38 and 0.46±1.49 kg month^-1). Mean weight changes of lactating does and breeding bucks did not differ (P > 0.05) significantly between the locations. Non-lactating does gained higher (P < 0.05) during early dry (4.7±0.41 kg) season and lost weight during late dry season (-1.5±0.87 kg). Lactating does recorded higher (P < 0.05) weight change during early dry season (3.7±0.56 kg) compared to rainy and late dry seasons when body weight losses (-2.5±0.39 kg and -1.2±0.59 kg) were encountered. Breeding bucks and weaner kids did not encounter body weight losses and had higher (P < 0.05) net annual weight gain (7.9±1.29 and 6.8±1.32 kg). Increasing level of feed supplementation by farmers could improve the animals’ rate of gain and will enhance productivity of the agro-pastoral goats in the study area.