Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Teweldemedhn Mekonnen; Shishay Markos; Kibrom Esak; Tesfay Ataklti

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Teweldemedhn Mekonnen^*, Shishay Markos, Kibrom Esak, Tesfay Ataklti

Published in American Journal of Life Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 6)

Received: 29 October 2023 Accepted: 27 November 2023 Published: 8 December 2023

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

The survey was conducted before the ignition (before October 2020) of the war in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia is a host for many goat populations, productivity is below their potential. Goats are essential for the resource-poor-farmers of the country. Randomly selected respondents of Begait (102), Hassan (106) and Arado (181) which totaled 389 participated in the survey. Statistical Package for Social Science software was used for data analysis. About 93% of the interviewees were male headed households. Almost all (99%) of the respondents did not practice goat fattening, and was a neglected activity. About 59% of the respondents reported that their bucks were born in their own flock. The respondents used a combination of own buck (68%) and bucks outside of their flocks (83.3%). Uncontrolled mating (77%) was mainly practiced due to the fact that most goats browse in communal lands. Unknown ratios (25%) of buck to does were practiced, and a ratio of one buck to all does in the flock (32%) used. Begait (Tahtay Adiabo) and Hassan (Kafta Humera) goat populations were significantly different (P<0.005) in age at first mating (AFM) of both male and female, age at first kidding (AFK), number of kids born per doe Reproductive Life Time (RLT), kidding to mating interval, and single and twin births. Mean (±SD) age at first kidding (AFK) of Begait, Hassan and Arado goats was 13.15±1.9, 12.45±1.4 and 14.56±3.1 months whereas the mean number of kids born in reproductive lifetime of Begait, Hassan and Arado does were 12.41±4.5, 15.15±4.9 and 12.85±4.8, respectively. It was also noted that the mean kidding to mating interval (days) of Begait, Hassan and Arado does was 98.32±26.3, 79.90±41.9 and 112.79±67.9, respectively. There was lower single birth in Hassan goats (70.65%) than in Begait (74.53%) and Arado (73.50%) goats. It was also noted that the litter size at birth of Hassan goat (1.33) was better than the litter sizes of Begait (1.29) and Arado (1.27) goats. However, there was high mortality rate of kids in Begait (26.4%) than in Hassan (16.5%) and Arado (15.7%) kids. The wet season mean (±SD) daily milk yields (liters) and lactation lengths (months) of Arado does (0.38±0.1; 0.75±0.3) were lower and shorter than Begait (0.67±0.3; 1.77±0.4) and Hassan (0.70±0.2; 1.79±0.5) does, respectively. Selection and mating, buck to doe ratio, Begait and Hassan milking practice should be a focus of goat keepers and stakeholders. On-station performance evaluations and genetic characterizations of Begait and Hassan goat populations are essentially needed.

Published in	American Journal of Life Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11
Page(s)	83-92
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Characterization, Production Performances, Begait Goats, Hassan Goats, Arado Goats, Buck Source, Ratio of Buck to Does, Controlled Mating

References

[1]	Roessler R, Drucker A G, Scarpa R, Markemann A, Lemke U, Thuy LT and Valle Zárate A. 2008. Using choice experiments to assess smallholder farmers' preferences for pig breeding traits in different production systems in North-West Vietnam. Ecological Economics 66 (1): 184-192.
[2]	Duguma, G., Mirkena, T., Haile, A., Iñiguez, L., Okeyo, A. M., Tibbo, M., Rischkowsky, B., Sölkner, J., Wurzinger, M. 2010. Participatory approaches to investigate breeding objectives of livestock keepers. Livest Res Rural Dev. Volume 22, Article 64. Available at: http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd22/4/dugu22064.htm.
[3]	FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) (2012). Phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines No. 11. Rome.
[4]	FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics) (2016), http://www.fao.org/faostat.
[5]	CSA (Central Statistical Agency) (2017). Agricultural Sample Survey: Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics (Private Peasant Holdings), Volume II, Statistical Bulletin 585, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[6]	CSA (2018). Agricultural Sample Survey: Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics (Private Peasant Holdings), Volume II, Statistical Bulletin 587, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[7]	ESGPIP (Ethiopia Sheep and Goat Productivity Improvement Program) (2009). Sheep breeds of Ethiopia: A guide for identification and utilization, Alemu Yami, Kassahun Awgichew, T. A. Gipson and R. C. Merkel (eds.), Technical Bulletin No. 28, Website: http://www.esgpip.org.
[8]	Tesfaye Alemu Tucho (2004). Genetic Characterization of Indigenous Goat Populations of Ethiopia Using Microsatellite DNA Markers, PhD Dissertation, Karnal-132 001 (Haryana) India.
[9]	FARM-Africa, 1996. Goat Types of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Physical description and management systems. Published jointly by FARM-Africa, London, UK and International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya. 76pp.
[10]	FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics) (2014). http://faostat.fao.org/default.aspx.
[11]	Tadelle, D. and Werkneh, T., 2007. Ethiopian goat production: A case study of CD-ROM encyclopedia use. ILRI.
[12]	Aziz, M. A., 2010. Present status of the world goat populations and their productivity. Lohmann Information, 45 (2), 42.
[13]	EIAR (Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research) (2017). Livestock Research Strategies; Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Goats and Camels (2016 – 2030).
[14]	Chenyambuga S W, Komwihangilo D M and Jackson M (2012). Production performance and desirable traits of Small East African goats in semi-arid areas of Central Tanzania. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 24, Article #118.
[15]	Philipsson, J, Rege JEO, Okeyo AM., 2006. Sustainable breeding programmes for tropical farming systems. In: J. M. Ojango, B. Malmfors and A. M. Okeyo (eds.). AGTR-version 2.
[16]	Kosgey, I. S, Okeyo, A. M., 2007. Genetic improvement of small ruminants in low-input smallholder production systems: Technical and infrastructural issues. Small Rumin. Res. Medicine and Animal Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden. 56p. 70 (1): pp 76-88.
[17]	Adane Hirpa and Girma Abebe, 2008. Economic significance of sheep and goats. Pp. 325-340. In: Alemu Yami and R C Merkel (eds.). Sheep and Goat Production Handbook of Ethiopia. ESGPIP (Ethiopian sheep and goat productivity improvement program). Branna Printing Enterprise. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[18]	Tesfaye Tsegaye, 2009. Characterization of Goat Production Systems and On- Farm Evaluation of the Growth Performance of Grazing Goats Supplemented with Different Protein Sources in Metema, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. MSc. Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia. 108P.
[19]	Mohammed. B., Aynalem, H., Hailu, D. and Tesfaye A., 2012. Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk traits in Arsi-Bale goat in Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 24, Article #98. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd24/6/bedh24098.htm.
[20]	FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) (2010). Draft guidelines for Molecular Characterization of Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome, Italy.
[21]	Tesfay B, Tsegay G, Haftu K, Teferi A, Bereket H (eds.) (2019). Participatory Agricultural Production Constraints Appraisal: Implication for Research and Development Interventions in Southern, North Western and Western Zones of Tigray. Tigray Agricultural Research Institute and Agricultural Growth Program-II, Proceedings of the Workshop held 09-15 November 2018, Capital Hotel, Wukro, Tigray, Ethiopia and Working paper no. 1.
[22]	SPSS (2019). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26.
[23]	Alubel Alemu (2015). On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Abergelle and Central Highland Goat Breeds as an Input for Designing Community-Based Breeding Program. MSc. Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia.
[24]	Gebrekiros Hagos, Kefelegn Kebede, Banerjee A. K. and Zinabu Wolde (2016). On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Begait Goats and Their Production System in Western Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science, Volume 3, Issue 1, ISSN (Online): 2394-1375.
[25]	Alefe Takele Alemu. 2014. Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Goat Types and Their Production System in Shabelle Zone, South Eastern Ethiopia. MSc. Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia.
[26]	Hulunim Gatew, Halima Hassen, Kefelegn Kebede, Aynalem Haile, Raimundo Nonato Braga Lôbo, Asresu Yetayew and Barbara Rischkowsky (2015). Characterization of Indigenous Goat Populations in Selected Areas of Ethiopia. American-Eurasian Journal of Scientific Research 10 (5): 287-298, 2015, ISSN: 1818-6785, DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejsr.2015.10.5.1157.
[27]	Ambel S, Bayou E (2022) Study on Reproductive Performance, Breeding Practice and Selection Criteria of Indigenous Goat in West Omo and Bench–Sheko Zone, Ethiopia. J Fisheries Livest Prod 10: 347.
[28]	Oumer Sheriff Mohammed (2022). Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization and Design of Community-Based Breeding Programs for Two Indigenous Goat Populations of Ethiopia. PhD Thesis, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
[29]	Abdi Abdilahi, Kawnin Abdimahad, Abdulahi Mahamed (2023). Characterization of Goat Husbandry Practices in Dollo Zone, Somali Regional State Ethiopia. Am. J. Aquac. Anim. Sci. 2 (2) 10-18, 2023, ISSN: 2835-8945 (Online), DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajaas.v2i2.1780, https://journals.epalli.com/home/index.php/ajaa.
[30]	Shegaw Ambel, Elias Bayou, Dessalegn Genzebu (2021). Indigenous Goat Husbandry Practices and Its Production Environment in Case of South Western Ethiopia. American Journal of Zoology. Vol. 4, No. 1, 2021, pp. 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ajz.20210401.11.
[31]	Tsigabu Gebreselassie (2015). Phenotypic Characterization of Goat Type and Their Husbandry Practices in Nuer Zone of Gambella People Regional State, South Western Ethiopia. MSc. Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia.
[32]	Khandoker MAMY, Afini N and Azwan A (2018). Productive and reproductive performance of Saanen goat at AZ-Zahra farm of Sandakan in Malaysia. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2018. 47 (1): 1-12.
[33]	Solomon Abegaz Guangul (2014). Design of community based breeding programs for two indigenous goat breeds of Ethiopia. PhD Thesis, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
[34]	Tesema Zeleke, Alemayehu Kefyalew, Kebede Damtie, Getachew Tesfaye, Deribe Belay, Shibeshi Mekonnen, Kefale Alemu, Zegeye Asres, Yizengaw Liuel, Worku Getachew (2021). Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Boer X Central Highland Goat under Extensive Production System. Tesema Z. et al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2021, 54 (2).
[35]	Shumuye Belay, Gebreslassie Gebru, Guesh Godifey, Minister Brhane, Mulalem Zenebe, Hailay Hagos and Tsegay Teame (2014). Reproductive performance of Abergelle goats and growth rate of their crosses with Boer goats. Livestock Research for Rural Development 26 (1) 2014.
[36]	Zeleke Tesema, Kefyalew Alemayehu, Damitie Kebede, Tesfaye Getachew, Alemu Kefale, Belay Deribe (2020). Reproductive performance and milk production of Central Highland and Boer X Central Highland goats. Heliyon, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05836, www.cell.com/heliyon.
[37]	Netsanet Zergaw, Tadelle Dessie and Kefelegn Kebede (2016). Growth performance of Woyto-Guji and Central Highland goat breeds under traditional management system in Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development 28 (1) 2016.
[38]	Girma, M., Nahom, F., Getaneh, D. and Seid, A. (2022). On-farm performance evaluation of malle goats (Woyto-Guji goats) under agro-pastoral management in Southwest Ethiopia. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12 (2): 7-13. https://doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v12i2.63933.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Mekonnen, T., Markos, S., Esak, K., Ataklti, T. (2023). Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. American Journal of Life Sciences, 11(6), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Mekonnen, T.; Markos, S.; Esak, K.; Ataklti, T. Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Am. J. Life Sci. 2023, 11(6), 83-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Mekonnen T, Markos S, Esak K, Ataklti T. Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Am J Life Sci. 2023;11(6):83-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11,
  author = {Teweldemedhn Mekonnen and Shishay Markos and Kibrom Esak and Tesfay Ataklti},
  title = {Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Life Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {6},
  pages = {83-92},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajls.20231106.11},
  abstract = {The survey was conducted before the ignition (before October 2020) of the war in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia is a host for many goat populations, productivity is below their potential. Goats are essential for the resource-poor-farmers of the country. Randomly selected respondents of Begait (102), Hassan (106) and Arado (181) which totaled 389 participated in the survey. Statistical Package for Social Science software was used for data analysis. About 93% of the interviewees were male headed households. Almost all (99%) of the respondents did not practice goat fattening, and was a neglected activity. About 59% of the respondents reported that their bucks were born in their own flock. The respondents used a combination of own buck (68%) and bucks outside of their flocks (83.3%). Uncontrolled mating (77%) was mainly practiced due to the fact that most goats browse in communal lands. Unknown ratios (25%) of buck to does were practiced, and a ratio of one buck to all does in the flock (32%) used. Begait (Tahtay Adiabo) and Hassan (Kafta Humera) goat populations were significantly different (P<0.005) in age at first mating (AFM) of both male and female, age at first kidding (AFK), number of kids born per doe Reproductive Life Time (RLT), kidding to mating interval, and single and twin births. Mean (±SD) age at first kidding (AFK) of Begait, Hassan and Arado goats was 13.15±1.9, 12.45±1.4 and 14.56±3.1 months whereas the mean number of kids born in reproductive lifetime of Begait, Hassan and Arado does were 12.41±4.5, 15.15±4.9 and 12.85±4.8, respectively. It was also noted that the mean kidding to mating interval (days) of Begait, Hassan and Arado does was 98.32±26.3, 79.90±41.9 and 112.79±67.9, respectively. There was lower single birth in Hassan goats (70.65%) than in Begait (74.53%) and Arado (73.50%) goats. It was also noted that the litter size at birth of Hassan goat (1.33) was better than the litter sizes of Begait (1.29) and Arado (1.27) goats. However, there was high mortality rate of kids in Begait (26.4%) than in Hassan (16.5%) and Arado (15.7%) kids. The wet season mean (±SD) daily milk yields (liters) and lactation lengths (months) of Arado does (0.38±0.1; 0.75±0.3) were lower and shorter than Begait (0.67±0.3; 1.77±0.4) and Hassan (0.70±0.2; 1.79±0.5) does, respectively. Selection and mating, buck to doe ratio, Begait and Hassan milking practice should be a focus of goat keepers and stakeholders. On-station performance evaluations and genetic characterizations of Begait and Hassan goat populations are essentially needed.
},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia
AU  - Teweldemedhn Mekonnen
AU  - Shishay Markos
AU  - Kibrom Esak
AU  - Tesfay Ataklti
Y1  - 2023/12/08
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11
T2  - American Journal of Life Sciences
JF  - American Journal of Life Sciences
JO  - American Journal of Life Sciences
SP  - 83
EP  - 92
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11
AB  - The survey was conducted before the ignition (before October 2020) of the war in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia is a host for many goat populations, productivity is below their potential. Goats are essential for the resource-poor-farmers of the country. Randomly selected respondents of Begait (102), Hassan (106) and Arado (181) which totaled 389 participated in the survey. Statistical Package for Social Science software was used for data analysis. About 93% of the interviewees were male headed households. Almost all (99%) of the respondents did not practice goat fattening, and was a neglected activity. About 59% of the respondents reported that their bucks were born in their own flock. The respondents used a combination of own buck (68%) and bucks outside of their flocks (83.3%). Uncontrolled mating (77%) was mainly practiced due to the fact that most goats browse in communal lands. Unknown ratios (25%) of buck to does were practiced, and a ratio of one buck to all does in the flock (32%) used. Begait (Tahtay Adiabo) and Hassan (Kafta Humera) goat populations were significantly different (P<0.005) in age at first mating (AFM) of both male and female, age at first kidding (AFK), number of kids born per doe Reproductive Life Time (RLT), kidding to mating interval, and single and twin births. Mean (±SD) age at first kidding (AFK) of Begait, Hassan and Arado goats was 13.15±1.9, 12.45±1.4 and 14.56±3.1 months whereas the mean number of kids born in reproductive lifetime of Begait, Hassan and Arado does were 12.41±4.5, 15.15±4.9 and 12.85±4.8, respectively. It was also noted that the mean kidding to mating interval (days) of Begait, Hassan and Arado does was 98.32±26.3, 79.90±41.9 and 112.79±67.9, respectively. There was lower single birth in Hassan goats (70.65%) than in Begait (74.53%) and Arado (73.50%) goats. It was also noted that the litter size at birth of Hassan goat (1.33) was better than the litter sizes of Begait (1.29) and Arado (1.27) goats. However, there was high mortality rate of kids in Begait (26.4%) than in Hassan (16.5%) and Arado (15.7%) kids. The wet season mean (±SD) daily milk yields (liters) and lactation lengths (months) of Arado does (0.38±0.1; 0.75±0.3) were lower and shorter than Begait (0.67±0.3; 1.77±0.4) and Hassan (0.70±0.2; 1.79±0.5) does, respectively. Selection and mating, buck to doe ratio, Begait and Hassan milking practice should be a focus of goat keepers and stakeholders. On-station performance evaluations and genetic characterizations of Begait and Hassan goat populations are essentially needed.

VL  - 11
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Teweldemedhn Mekonnen

Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

Contact Email
Shishay Markos

Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

Contact Email
Kibrom Esak

Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

Contact Email
Tesfay Ataklti

Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

Contact Email

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Mekonnen, T., Markos, S., Esak, K., Ataklti, T. (2023). Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. American Journal of Life Sciences, 11(6), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Mekonnen, T.; Markos, S.; Esak, K.; Ataklti, T. Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Am. J. Life Sci. 2023, 11(6), 83-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Mekonnen T, Markos S, Esak K, Ataklti T. Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Am J Life Sci. 2023;11(6):83-92. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11,
  author = {Teweldemedhn Mekonnen and Shishay Markos and Kibrom Esak and Tesfay Ataklti},
  title = {Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia},
  journal = {American Journal of Life Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {6},
  pages = {83-92},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajls.20231106.11},
  abstract = {The survey was conducted before the ignition (before October 2020) of the war in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia is a host for many goat populations, productivity is below their potential. Goats are essential for the resource-poor-farmers of the country. Randomly selected respondents of Begait (102), Hassan (106) and Arado (181) which totaled 389 participated in the survey. Statistical Package for Social Science software was used for data analysis. About 93% of the interviewees were male headed households. Almost all (99%) of the respondents did not practice goat fattening, and was a neglected activity. About 59% of the respondents reported that their bucks were born in their own flock. The respondents used a combination of own buck (68%) and bucks outside of their flocks (83.3%). Uncontrolled mating (77%) was mainly practiced due to the fact that most goats browse in communal lands. Unknown ratios (25%) of buck to does were practiced, and a ratio of one buck to all does in the flock (32%) used. Begait (Tahtay Adiabo) and Hassan (Kafta Humera) goat populations were significantly different (P<0.005) in age at first mating (AFM) of both male and female, age at first kidding (AFK), number of kids born per doe Reproductive Life Time (RLT), kidding to mating interval, and single and twin births. Mean (±SD) age at first kidding (AFK) of Begait, Hassan and Arado goats was 13.15±1.9, 12.45±1.4 and 14.56±3.1 months whereas the mean number of kids born in reproductive lifetime of Begait, Hassan and Arado does were 12.41±4.5, 15.15±4.9 and 12.85±4.8, respectively. It was also noted that the mean kidding to mating interval (days) of Begait, Hassan and Arado does was 98.32±26.3, 79.90±41.9 and 112.79±67.9, respectively. There was lower single birth in Hassan goats (70.65%) than in Begait (74.53%) and Arado (73.50%) goats. It was also noted that the litter size at birth of Hassan goat (1.33) was better than the litter sizes of Begait (1.29) and Arado (1.27) goats. However, there was high mortality rate of kids in Begait (26.4%) than in Hassan (16.5%) and Arado (15.7%) kids. The wet season mean (±SD) daily milk yields (liters) and lactation lengths (months) of Arado does (0.38±0.1; 0.75±0.3) were lower and shorter than Begait (0.67±0.3; 1.77±0.4) and Hassan (0.70±0.2; 1.79±0.5) does, respectively. Selection and mating, buck to doe ratio, Begait and Hassan milking practice should be a focus of goat keepers and stakeholders. On-station performance evaluations and genetic characterizations of Begait and Hassan goat populations are essentially needed.
},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Characterization of Indigenous Goat Mating Experiences and Production Performances in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia
AU  - Teweldemedhn Mekonnen
AU  - Shishay Markos
AU  - Kibrom Esak
AU  - Tesfay Ataklti
Y1  - 2023/12/08
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11
T2  - American Journal of Life Sciences
JF  - American Journal of Life Sciences
JO  - American Journal of Life Sciences
SP  - 83
EP  - 92
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5737
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20231106.11
AB  - The survey was conducted before the ignition (before October 2020) of the war in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Although Ethiopia is a host for many goat populations, productivity is below their potential. Goats are essential for the resource-poor-farmers of the country. Randomly selected respondents of Begait (102), Hassan (106) and Arado (181) which totaled 389 participated in the survey. Statistical Package for Social Science software was used for data analysis. About 93% of the interviewees were male headed households. Almost all (99%) of the respondents did not practice goat fattening, and was a neglected activity. About 59% of the respondents reported that their bucks were born in their own flock. The respondents used a combination of own buck (68%) and bucks outside of their flocks (83.3%). Uncontrolled mating (77%) was mainly practiced due to the fact that most goats browse in communal lands. Unknown ratios (25%) of buck to does were practiced, and a ratio of one buck to all does in the flock (32%) used. Begait (Tahtay Adiabo) and Hassan (Kafta Humera) goat populations were significantly different (P<0.005) in age at first mating (AFM) of both male and female, age at first kidding (AFK), number of kids born per doe Reproductive Life Time (RLT), kidding to mating interval, and single and twin births. Mean (±SD) age at first kidding (AFK) of Begait, Hassan and Arado goats was 13.15±1.9, 12.45±1.4 and 14.56±3.1 months whereas the mean number of kids born in reproductive lifetime of Begait, Hassan and Arado does were 12.41±4.5, 15.15±4.9 and 12.85±4.8, respectively. It was also noted that the mean kidding to mating interval (days) of Begait, Hassan and Arado does was 98.32±26.3, 79.90±41.9 and 112.79±67.9, respectively. There was lower single birth in Hassan goats (70.65%) than in Begait (74.53%) and Arado (73.50%) goats. It was also noted that the litter size at birth of Hassan goat (1.33) was better than the litter sizes of Begait (1.29) and Arado (1.27) goats. However, there was high mortality rate of kids in Begait (26.4%) than in Hassan (16.5%) and Arado (15.7%) kids. The wet season mean (±SD) daily milk yields (liters) and lactation lengths (months) of Arado does (0.38±0.1; 0.75±0.3) were lower and shorter than Begait (0.67±0.3; 1.77±0.4) and Hassan (0.70±0.2; 1.79±0.5) does, respectively. Selection and mating, buck to doe ratio, Begait and Hassan milking practice should be a focus of goat keepers and stakeholders. On-station performance evaluations and genetic characterizations of Begait and Hassan goat populations are essentially needed.

VL  - 11
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download