Phenotypic characterization of distinct indigenous goats from Vindhyan region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The present study was aimed to study the morphologic, morphometric, production and reproductive traits of the unexplored native goats from Vindhyan region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The data of 308 male and 590 female goats were collected from 45 villages and 449 farmers. The goats are managed under an extensive zero input production system by the poor and marginal farmers for their livelihood security since the time immemorial. These are small sized, black or brown coloured, and primarily raised for meat production. Head is straight to slightly convex, ears are flat, leafy and pendulous, and tail is bunchy and curved upward. Muzzle, eyelids and hooves are predominantly black and the horns are flat, curved and spiral with upward-backward-outward orientation. The average adult body weight was 31.34±0.38 kg in males and 28.78±0.12 kg in females. The means (cm) for body length, height at withers and chest girth were 66.41±0.34, 72.65±0.42 and 77.77±0.58, respectively, in adult males and 65.08±0.14, 69.22±0.24 and 74.35±0.16, respectively, in adult females. These goats are seasonal breeder with major breeding season from May to July and bred through natural service. Age at first estrus was ~9 months and age at first kidding was ~15 months. Twinning was common from second parity onwards. Milk production was found to be very low. The morphological appearance and morphometric measurement indicate that these indigenous goats are phenotypically distinct from the other goats of the adjoining area and can be registered as unique breed for better genetic management.