Characterization of the Indigenous Goat Populations of South Gonder Based on their Morphometric Traits and Body Indices

Survey-based study was undertaken to explore the potentials of indigenous goat populations of South Gondar zone based on morphometric traits and body indices. Reproductive traits were obtained from 153 households through questionnaire while morphometric measurements were taken from 510 goats of both sexes drawn from Farta (n=152), Fogera (n=154) and Libokemkem (n=204) districts. Nineteen structural and functional indices were computed from morphometric measurements. In this study, age at first kidding and kidding intervals was 13.6 and 8.39 months, respectively with an average litter size of 1.54. Sex had significant (p<0.001) effect on all quantitative traits except ear length (EL), rump width and canon circumference. Except for EL, the age effect was significant (p<0.001) for all morphometric traits. Goats at Fogera district had higher live weight (LW), heart girth (HG), height at withers (HW), body length, chest width, rump height, rump length and teat length than those at Libokemkem. Goats from Libokemkem district were inferior for most of the studied morphometric traits as compared to those at Fogera and Farta. Both HG and HW were identified as best predictors of LW in both sexes. Based on the values of structural indices, the goat populations could be characterized as meat phenotype with short legs being well adapted to midland altitudes. In conclusion, goats reared in South Gondar zone could have a genetic potential for meat production with high prolificacy.