ABSTRACT
A study on the Influence of wattle in Red Sokoto (Maradi) goats on reproduction, haematology and growth parameters was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna. Forty (40) Red Sokoto goats comprising of thirty-two (32) does and eight (8) bucks managed semi-intensively were used for the study. Seven experiments were conducted during the period of the research. Experiment one was aimed at determining the relationship between wattle and body weight and some morphometric parameters in Red Sokoto goats. Parameters examined under experiment one included: body weight, body length, head length, head width, height-at-withers, chest depth, chest girth, shoulder point width, rump length, rump width, and shin circumference of Red Sokoto does and bucks. Experiment two was to describe the relationship between wattle and reproductive traits in Red Sokoto does. Parameters examined for experiment two included: gestation gain, gestation length, and body weight of kid(s) at birth, kidding loss, rectal temperature, progesterone and oestrogen profile of the does. Experiment three was aimed at evaluating the relationship between wattle and some dairy characteristics of Red Sokoto does. Parameters observed included udder circumference, distance between teats, change in udder circumference, change in distance between teats, teat length after milking, milk quantity and quality analysis. Experiment four was aimed at evaluating the effect of wattle on growth related traits of growing Red Sokoto kids up till weaning. Parameters measured for experiment four was as detailed in experiment one above. Experiment five was to determine the relationship between wattle and weaning traits of Red Sokoto kids. Data collected for experiment five included: number of kids at weaning, body weight of kids at weaning, weaning sex ratio and survival rate at weaning. Experiment six was to determine the relationship between wattle and haematological characteristics of Red Sokoto goats. and experiment seven was to determine the relationship between wattle and body weight, scrotal size, scrotal circumference and sperm cell concentration of Red Sokoto bucks. Data collected were analyzed using SAS statistical package. After the experiment, it was observed that: Wattle had significant (p<0.05) effect only on the initial head width of Red Sokoto does before mating. Non-wattled does in (T2), having the widest (p<0.05) head width (11.88±0.38) before mating. Wattle significantly (p<0.05) affected the body weight of does after birth with wattle does mated with wattle bucks (T4) having the lowest body weight. Results of the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto does, shows that wattled does mated with wattled buck (T4) had the lowest weight of doe pre and post-partum and had highest kidding lost and least birth weight. Wattled does produced higher litter size (up to 50 % twins). Females mated with non wattled bucks (T1and T3) had the highest conception rate of up to 62.5 %. Mating between the wattle and non-wattle (T2 and T3) had 0% abortion. Mating between non-wattled does mated with wattled bucks (T2) produced the highest number of males (up to 75 %) while mating between wattled does mated with wattled bucks (T4) had the largest percentage of female kids (66.7 %). Wattle had significant (p<0.05) influence on the milk and udder parameters examined. Crosses between the wattle and the non wattled had the highest in terms of udder circumference before and after milking, quantity of milk and average daily milking. Wattled does in (T3 and T4) produced the highest peak yield. Wattled does mated with watted bucks (T4) had the highest total milk yield. Wattle had significant (p<0.05) influence on the average body weight and morphometric parameters of Red Sokoto kids. Kids resulting from both parents having wattle had the least in the average head width and average hind leg. Wattle had significant (p<0.05) effect on body weight, survival rate, sex of kids and type of birth of Red Sokoto kids at weaning. Non-wattled does mated with wattled bucks (T2) had the highest body weight and survival rate (100 %). Wattled does and bucks had higher HDL, which brought about lower blood cholesterol levels. In conclusion, attention should be focused on the crossess between the wattled and the non-wattled Red Sokoto as it gave best result in most parameters examined for the kids. Deliberate effort must be made to preserve the wattle gene to prevent the goats carrying the gene from going to extinction.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The Red Sokoto goat is the major breed of goat in Northern Nigeria, they are mostly found with the agro-pastoralists in the Northern Sub-humid and semi-arid regions of the country (Akpa et al., 2001). They are found around Sokoto environs, spanning from Sokoto province and the middle belt of Nigeria to Niger Republic (Alaku, 2010). They are prolific and have relatively small size (60 cm height and weight of 27 kg), this suggests that the Red Sokoto breed has been crossed with the West African Dwarf goats before selection in its present area of distribution (Wilson, 1991).
Generally, goats possess special qualities that are not common to other ruminants (Silanikove, 2000); they are hardy and can survive under harsh environmental conditions where other ruminants cannot (Devendra, 2000; Alaku, 2010). The expression of various qualitative traits in goats may imply some mechanisms developed for continued existence in dfferent ecological zones of Nigeria (Oseni et al., 2006). The possession of wattle in goats has been considered by some as a qualitative trait that could be used during selection for productive purposes (Sabbioni et al., 2011).
Wattle is a fleshy appendage hanging from different sections of the neck (Weissengruger, 2000). Wattles are sometimes found in other species such as pigs, sheep, birds and humans (Coras et al., 2005). Wattle in goats ranges from zero to two; wattle consists of the epidermis, dermis, subcutis, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and a central cartilage (Reber et al., 2015). Although the function of wattles is still been delibrated (Sabbioni et al., 2011) but Wikipedia (2014) associated the presence of wattles in birds as ornamental for courting potential mates; wattle was also correlated to high testosterone levels, quality nutrition, ability to escape predators and disease resistance. Earlier scientists like Mouquet (1895) and Siemens (1921) speculated that wattles in goats, due to their physical structure, represents failed limbs. This hypothesis is supported by studies carried out on Swiss goats by Reber et al. (2015) who reported that goats with wattles show similar coat colour patterns with the limbs in multi- coloured goat breeds. Odubote (1994), however, suggested that the possession of wattle in goats could be for thermoregulatory function which help the animal adapt to the environment. Adedeji (2012) observed that West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with wattle had significantly lower rectal temperature and pulse rate than the non- wattled goats, thus it is expected that goats with wattle will adapt better to their environment than those without wattle, hence this research study.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problems
Wattle has been viewed as a structural extension in animals (goats) whose purpose is still under dispute. Sabbioni et al.(2011) were of the belief that wattle could be used during selection for productive purposes.
Furthermore, studies on the occurrence of wattle and its comperative effect on body dimensions have been carried out by Ozoje (2002) in West African Dwarf sheep and goats. Similarly, many findings on the relationship between wattle and performance (growth, reproduction and heat tolerance) have been done by Casu et al. (1970); Osinowo et al. (1988); Shongjia et al. (1992) and Ozoje and Mbere (2002) on West African Dwarf goats. Casu et al. (1970) studied the relationship of wattle with lambing rate in Yankasa ewes while Shongjia et al. (1992) carried out a research on the effects of wattle on milk yield and litter size in Sannen does. Osinowo etal. (1990) studied the relationship between wattle and weaning weight of Yankasa lambs. Odubote (1994) worked on the effect of wattle on yearling weight of West African Dwarf goats. Adedeji et al. (2011) examined the influence of wattle on haematology in West African Dwarf goats. Also, the size of the testicules is believed to be the most important yardstick from physiological, genetic and practical perspective towards improved reproductive performance in females (Palasz et al., 1994; Keeton et al., 1996). Adedeji (2012) carried out a study on the impact of wattle on body and scrotal measurements in West African Dwarf goats but no known work on the relationship between wattle and morphometric parameters, reproduction, growth, heat tolerance, kidding rate, milk yield, weaning weight, haematology and scrotal size have been carried out on the Red Sokoto goats.
Therefore, this research study, if successful, will really show the worth of wattle in productive efficiency and as a physical indicator to productive superiority. If establised, will save the farmer the strain of expunging the wattle out of ignorance, this will help to avert the development of tumors, which often results after surgical removal of wattle.
1.3 Justification of the Study
The function of wattle in the body of animals (goats) is still not known, therefore, information on the relationship between wattle and morphometric parameters and growth of Red Sokoto goats can be derived through this study. In addition, the effect of wattle on reproduction, milk yield, kidding rate and weaning weight of Red Sokoto kids can be evaluated. The relationship between wattle and heat tolerance in Red Sokoto goats will provide information for livestock farmers in the tropics on strategies for aleviating heat stress. Furthermore, the effect of wattle on haematological and serum biochemical indices of Red Sokoto goats will asist in monitoring the health status of animals in the tropics. Finally, information on the relationship between
wattle and Scrotal parameters (scrotal size, scrotal circumference, sperm cell concentration) in
Red Sokoto goat would be derived from this research study.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research is focused at evaluating the influence of wattle in Red Sokoto (Maradi)
goats on reproduction, haematology and growth parameters
The objectives of this research are to:
1. determine the relationship between wattle and body weight and some morphometric parameters in Red Sokoto goats.
2. ascertain the relationship between wattle and reproductive traits (gestation gain, gestation length, and body weight of kid(s) at birth, kidding loss, rectal temperature progesterone and oestrogen profile) in Red Sokoto does.
3. evaluate the relationship between wattle and some dairy characteristics (udder circumference, distance between teats, change in udder circumference, change in distance between teats, teat length, quantity of milk, average daily milk, first test day yield and milk quality analysis) of Red Sokoto does before and after milking.
4. evaluate the relationship between wattle and growth related trait (body weight gain, body length, head length, head width, height-at-withers, chest depth, chest girth, shoulder point width, rump length, rump width, and shin circumference) of growing Red Sokoto kids uptill weaning.
5. determine the relationship between wattle and weaning traits (number of kids weaned, body weight of kids weaning, weaning sex ratio and survival rate at weaning) of Red Sokoto kids.
6. determine the relationship between wattle and haematological characteristics of Red Sokoto goats.
7. establish the relationship between wattle and body weight, Scrotal parmeters and sperm cell concentration of Red Sokoto bucks.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
INFLUENCE OF WATTLE IN RED SOKOTO (Maradi) GOATS ON REPRODUCTION, HAEMATOLOGY AND GROWTH PARAMETERS
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