Contribution of different livestock species as sources of meat in Bauchi

Abstract

The daily records of various species of livestock slaughtered for meat for 122 days from June to September, 1995 at Bauchi metropolitan abattoir were analysed. Livestock slaughtered comprised cattle, sheep and goats being 6, 15 and 79 percent respectively. A total of 35, 846 animals were slaughtered, 2, 151 were cattle, out of which 1856, 169, 119 and 7 were White Fulani, Red Bororo, Sokoto Gudali and Kuri breeds respectively. Chi-square analysis was used and within breed significant (P<0.01) monthly differences in their contribution was observed only in Red Bororo breed. Out of the 5,373 sheep slaughtered, 3,961,232, 1062 and 119 were Yankasa, Balami, Uda and crosses respectively. Significant monthly differences were observed in Uda (p<0.01) and Balami (P<0.05). Of the 28.321 goats slaughtered, the contributions of Sokoto Red, Kano brown, Sahel and West African Dwarf were 20,265; 7,469; 575 and 12 respectively. There were significant differences within Sokoto Red and Kabo Brown (p<0.01) and Sahel (p<0.05) breeds. The study showed that goat species, especially Sokoto Red, contributed the highest numerical value of all live livestock species slaughtered as sources of meat in Bauchi. This should have a bearing on their production.