EVALUATION OF UDDER TRAITS AS INFLUENCED BY BODYWEIGHT AND REPRODUCTIVE STATUS OF RED SOKOTO GOATS IN A GUINEA SAVANNAH ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate udder traits as influenced by liveweight and reproductive status of Red Sokoto goats in a guinea savanna environment. One hundred and thirty (130) Red Sokoto does were involved in the study. Effects of age, parity, lactation, pregnancy and liveweight on udder traits were determined. Age, parity, lactation and pregnancy had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on udder traits. Effect of liveweight was significant (P < 0.05) on all udder traits measured when used as covariate. Coefficients of regression for the effect of liveweight on udder traits were for udder length (UL), 0.39 ± 0.03 ; udder width (UW), 0.20 ± 0.03 ; udder circumference (UC), 0.55 ± 0.06 and udder volume (UV), 65.42 ± 6.42. Mean values of udder traits were adjusted to those of a 3 – 4 year old lactating doe. The adjusted values were for UL, 14.33 ± 0.25; UW, 10.17 ± 0.20; UC, 28.17 ± 0.46 cm and UV, 1007.21 cm3. It was concluded that liveweight constituted a major determinant of udder size in Red Sokoto goats. This study also showed that although effects of age, parity, lactation and pregnancy on udder size were not significant, the udder size increased with age and parity; pregnant does had larger udder than non-pregnant ones, while lactating does also had larger udder than non-lactating ones.



Key words: Udder traits, Red Sokoto goats, bodyweight and reproductive status.



[Niger Agric. J. 34 (2003): 131-137]