Effect of age, sex and local government area on linear body measurements of WAD goat in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

One hundred and twenty West African Dwarf goats were used in this study. Observations were made from twelve different towns in Yewa North, Yewa South and Abeokuta North Local Government. West African dwarf goats were evaluated for phenotypic variation at different ages ranges from 1, 2 and 3 years. Variations in live weight and body measurements such as height at wither; body length, heart girth, fore limb length, hind limb length, face length, ear length, ear width, hip width and tail length were taken. The local government areas significantly (P<0.05, 0.001) affected body length, fore limb length, ear length, ear width, hip width and live weight. Age and sex significantly (P<0.01) affected all the body measurements. The mean live weight by age groups are 6.61 + 0.31kg, 13.10 + 0.60kg and 20.18 + 0.95kg for ages 1,2 and 3 respectively. The coat colour varied from black, brown, grey to white in WAD goats. Some colours were in patches, some uniform while others were spotted.