EVALUATION OF BODY CONFORMATION OF SAHELIAN GOATS USING PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS (PCA)

Abstract

This study was carried out to characterize the Sahelian goat breed in Katsina state, Nigeria, at the phenotypic level. Data were collected on 163 goats from the Sahelian breed (male and female) between one to four years. Physically healthy and non-pregnant goats were randomly selected for this study. Data measured were taken on body weight (kg) and ten (10) body morphometric traits on individual goats. The results obtained revealed that most of the goats sampled were female (60.7%). Most of the goats sampled (44.2%) were also within one (1) year old. Two principal components (PCs) extracted explained 74.90% of the total variationsof the body composition. Only heart girth was not included in PC1 explaining 61.28% of the total variances while PC2 consists of height at wither and neck length accounting for 13.61%. The explained body variations can be employed in goat selection and breeding programs to improve goat production in the study area.