Udder Shapes and their Relationship with Udder size in Red Sokovo and West African Dwardf Goats

Abstract

One hundred and thirty Red Sokoto (RS) and one hundred and eight-five West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were evaluated for the effects of udder shape on udder size. Effects of udder shape were highly significant (P<0.01) on udder size in both breeds of goats. Udder characteristics measured included udder length (UL), Udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC) and distance between teats (DT). Bowl shaped udder was significantly (P<0.01) superior in size to cylindrical, round and funnel shaped udders in the two breeds. In RS goats values of UL and UC for bowl udder were 14.52 ± 0.31 and 28.87 ± 0.52 cm respectively, while corresponding lower values obtained for cylindrical shape were; 12.94 ± 0.33 and 24.39 ± 0.55 cm; and round udder 12.01 ± 1.54 and 24.64 ± 2.54 cm and funnel udder 12.06 ± 0.66 and 22.83 ± 1.08cm respectively. For WAD goats UL and UC values recorded for bowl udder were 13.30 ± 0.89 and 28.80 ± 1.31cm respectively. Results obtained for cylindrical udder, were 10.78 ± 0.90 and 22.18 ± 1.35cm and for funnel udder 11.30 ± 1.87 and 16.26 ± 3.65cm respectively. These results showed that bowl shaped udder was larger than other types of udder in the indigenous goats and hence suggest larger capacity for milk production. 

Keywords: Udder shapes, Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf goats