LOCATION AND SEX EFFECT ON MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

Interaction between environment and genes causes variation in phenotype. There’s dearth of information on the influence of agroecological zones in Akwa Ibom State on morphometric traits of West African Dwarf goat in Akwa Ibom State. This study seeks to address this. The study was conducted to determine the influence of location and sex on the morphometric traits of West African Dwarf goat raised in Akwa Ibom State. A total of 384)goats comprising of 259 does and 125 bucks were sampled from the three senatorial districts (Eket, Ikot Ekpene and Uyo) of Akwa Ibom State. One hundred and twentyeight goats were sampled from each of the senatorial districts. Morphometric traits studied were body length (BL), heart girth (HG), rump height (RH), body depth (BD), ear length (EL), tail length (TL), neck circumference (NC) as well as body weight (BW). Data obtained from
this on sex were analysed using independent T test while morphometric traits were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS. Results obtained showed that all the traits studied were significantly (P<0.05) affected by location except RH. Goats in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district were superior in body weight than goats in Eket and Uyo senatorial districts. However, goats in Uyo senatorial district were significantly higher in BL, HW, HG, RH, BD, TL, EL and NC than goats in Ikot Ekpene and Eket senatorial districts. There were significant (P<0.05) effect of sex on the studied traits excepton HW, RH, EL and TL. It was concluded that body weight and morphometric traits are important in West African Dwarf goats and these traits are sex influenced and favours females than males. These traits were also significantly affected by locations within Akwa Ibom State. It is therefore recommended that morphometric traits and location should be considered during selection to improve West African Dwarf in Akwa Ibom State.