Authors :
C.U. Ekugba; K.M. Nweke-Uchebo; J.C. Okonkwo; I.S. Ahamba
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2vexku84
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8181431
Abstract :
This study was carried out in Awka, a town in
Anambra State Nigeria. The study aimed to evaluate the
morphological variations in West African Dwarf (WAD)
goat. 43 matured WAD goats were picked from
representative samples from the villages in Awka, 20 male
WAD goats and 23 female WAD goat was selected and
their morphological measurements recorded while noting
their coat colour and texture. The morphometric
parameters taken are – Body length (BL), Neck girth
(NG), Height at withers (HW), Chest girth (CG), Ear
length (EL), Rump width (RW), Height at rump (HR),
Head length (HL), Horn length (HnL), Leg length (LL),
and Tail length (TL) using a tailor’s tape. The body weight
(in kilogramme) was measured using shaffeur’s formula,
while the coat colour pattern was virtually observed and
the texture by feeling. Data on morphometric
measurements were subjected to descriptive statistic using
frequencies and percentile (SPSS, 2010).The predominant coat
colour type is the short and smooth coat type. Possession of
horn is not sex linked, but the size is affected by sex as the
males generally had high values of horn length. The males
had higher morphometric parameters except for Leg
length, Neck girth, Tail length, Rump width, and ear
length. In conclusion, a mature male WAD goat weighs
about 22kg, while a mature female WAD goat weighs
about 18kg. Morphometric characters are affected by sex.
Keywords :
Morphology, Variation, WAD Goat, Coat Colour, Coat Type.
This study was carried out in Awka, a town in
Anambra State Nigeria. The study aimed to evaluate the
morphological variations in West African Dwarf (WAD)
goat. 43 matured WAD goats were picked from
representative samples from the villages in Awka, 20 male
WAD goats and 23 female WAD goat was selected and
their morphological measurements recorded while noting
their coat colour and texture. The morphometric
parameters taken are – Body length (BL), Neck girth
(NG), Height at withers (HW), Chest girth (CG), Ear
length (EL), Rump width (RW), Height at rump (HR),
Head length (HL), Horn length (HnL), Leg length (LL),
and Tail length (TL) using a tailor’s tape. The body weight
(in kilogramme) was measured using shaffeur’s formula,
while the coat colour pattern was virtually observed and
the texture by feeling. Data on morphometric
measurements were subjected to descriptive statistic using
frequencies and percentile (SPSS, 2010).The predominant coat
colour type is the short and smooth coat type. Possession of
horn is not sex linked, but the size is affected by sex as the
males generally had high values of horn length. The males
had higher morphometric parameters except for Leg
length, Neck girth, Tail length, Rump width, and ear
length. In conclusion, a mature male WAD goat weighs
about 22kg, while a mature female WAD goat weighs
about 18kg. Morphometric characters are affected by sex.
Keywords :
Morphology, Variation, WAD Goat, Coat Colour, Coat Type.
