Performance indices of the West African Dwarf goat under an improved management system in the subhumid zone of Nigeria

A population of West African Dwarf goats in the subhumid zone of Nigeria was monitored for general characteristics. Brown coat colour was dominant in the flock (about 43 percent). Birth type classification frequencies were 60, 39 and 1 percent single, twin and triplet, respectively. Kid birth weight and weaning weight were influenced by sex (P<0.01) and birth type (P<0.01). Average preweaning mortality was 23 percent and was affected by birth weight (P<0.05), birth type and sex. At birth, male kids were heavier (P<0.01), longer (P<0.05) and higher at withers (P<0.001) than the females but the differences were not significant at weaning (4 months). There were strong similarities in performance of the breed in the humid and subhumid zones of Nigeria. The breed could be used to increased animal protein supply in the latter zone where arable crop production dominates.