Zoometrical index analysis of Nigerian indigenous goat populations

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the zoometrical index analyses of Nigerian indigenous breeds of goats. The sampled populations of goat included 100 from each of three populations of goat in Nigeria; Red Sokoto, West African dwarf (WAD) and Sahel to give a total of 300 animals. Nine body measurements were taken on these goats, which were used to estimate the ethnological indices and functional indices (as the zoometrical index) of the animals. There was significant effects (p<0.05) of breeds on morphological traits of these animals. The functional and ethnological traits of these goat populations were significantly affected by breeds (p<0.05) except pelvic and corporal. Based on the results of this study, Nigerian indigenous goats are medium-sized and their conformation corresponds to the meat type animals.

Keywords: Ethnology, functional, indigenous, population, zoometry