Growth pattern for body weight, height at withers and body length of Kalahari Red goats

The objective of this research was to examine the growth pattern for body weight, body length and height at withers of Kalahari Red goats using non-linear models. The body size measurement data were collected from 227 Kalahari Red female goats and fit into Gompertz and Brody growth model. The results revealed that Gompertz growth model had the best goodness of fit to describe the growth of Kalahari Red goats for body weight, body length and height at withers as shown by higher coefficient of determination (97.9, 98.9 and 99.1, respectively). The correlation coefficients between A and k for body weight, body length and height at withers were negative in both models, implying that goats of larger mature size tended to have a slower growth rate in relation to their mature size. Height at withers-body weight has the highest correlation coefficient (0.96)

Maturing pattern for body weight, body length and height at withers of Jamnapari and Boer goats

The objective of this study was to examine the growth pattern of three size measurements, namely body weight, body length, and height at withers of Jamnapari and Boer goats reared under common semi-intensive environment in Johor, Malaysia. Cross-sectional data of the above measurements of 234 Jamnapari and 312 Boer female goats (age ranged from 6 to 54 months) were used to fit Gompertz and von Bertalanffy growth curve models for the estimation of mature size, constant of integration, and maturing rate for the three size measurements. Jamnapari and Boer female goats were found to be significantly different (p<0.05) in term of their mature weight (52.19 and 58.23 kg, respectively, for the Gompertz model and 53.89 and 59.31 kg, respectively, for the von Bertalanffy model). The estimates of height at maturity were significantly larger (p<0.05) for the Jamnapari than Boer females. Although the maturing rate for body weight of the Jamnapari and Boer goats was not different, but their rates of maturing for body length and height at withers were found to be significantly different (p<0.05). The correlation coefficients between the mature size and rate of maturing for their body weight, body length, and height at withers were negative, implying that goats of larger size measurements tended to have a slower growth rate in relation to their mature size

Genetic variation of four goat breeds in Malaysia using microsatellite polymorphism markers

The characterisation of animals using PCR-based microsatellite markers is informative, economical and useful to elucidate genetic diversity within and among breeds. The determination of genetic variability in four goat breeds found in Malaysia, namely the indigenous Katjang goat and the exotic Jamnapari, Boer and Savanna goats, was successfully analysed using 30 microsatellite markers. Low levels of allelic variations were found in the four goat breeds. The mean numbers of observed alleles per locus were relatively low with values of 5.43, 5.73, 5.90 and 5.70 in Katjang, Jamnapari, Boer and Savanna goats, respectively. The mean observed heterozygosity was lower than the mean expected heterozygosity for the all four goat breeds. Katjang goats showed the lowest observed heterozygosity with a value of 0.36. The results showed that the Katjang goat population had a high level of inbreeding compared to the other goat breeds

Maturing pattern for body size, doe reproductive performance and kid mortality rate of savanna and red kalahari goats

The domestic production level of chevon only able to meet 13% of the demand. Savanna and Red Kalahari goats were brought from South Africa to evaluate their potential under Malaysian environment thus, can fulfill the local demand of chevon meat. Growth and reproduction are among the aspects being looked at to determine the economic merits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Savanna and Red Kalahari goats in terms of mature size, reproductive performance and kid mortality rates under Malaysian conditions. Brody, Gompertz, von Bertalanffy, and Logistics models were used to determine the mature size (A) and maturation rate (k) of Savanna and Red Kalahari does. The goodness of fit of the models was determined by the highest coefficient of determination (R2).The estimated mature weight of Savanna goats as derived from Brody, Gompertz, von Bertalanffy, and Logistic model was 52.57 kg, 52.06 kg, 52.18 kg, and 51.89 kg while for Red Kalahari goats was 52.96 kg, 48.88 kg, 49.81 kg, and 47.24 kg respectively. All the parameters taken fit in the model excellently (R2 above 90%). The best fit model for estimated mature weight of Savanna and Red Kalahari goat were von Bertalanffy Model (94.7%) and Brody Model (97.7%). An estimated asymptote for body length and height at withers derived from Brody, Gompertz, von Bertalanffy, and Logistic models showed that Red Kalahari were longer (P<0.05) and taller (P<0.05) than Savanna goats. The correlation coefficients between the mature size and rate of maturing for their body weight, body length, and height at withers were negative. The conception rate, fertility rate, kidding rate and prolificacy rate of Savanna does were higher compared to Red Kalahari goats (92.4 vs. 90.6, 89.9 vs. 86.8, 137 vs. 125.6 and 152.3 vs. 144.6) but there was no significant difference. Litter size at birth and litter size at weaning was higher for Savanna compared to Red Kalahari goats (1.55 vs.1.49, 1.26 vs. 1.16).There was no significant difference in Savanna and Red Kalahari does with average weaning rate (113 vs. 100) and multiple births (48.6 vs. 40.2) The pre-weaning mortality rate among Red Kalahari kids was higher than Savanna kids (19.7 vs. 17.5%) and it makes the survivality rate of Savanna kids higher (82.5%) compared to Red Kalahari kids (80.3%). Red Kalahari also had a higher post-weaning mortality than Savanna goats (14.3 vs. 13.0%). Considering the overall performance in reproduction and growth, Savanna and Red Kalahari goats had a good potential to meet a demand as a good breeding stock goats in Malaysia. It is recommended that further study using a larger sample and a longer period of time should be done

Growth pattern for body weight, body length and height at withers of Kalahari Red goats

The objective of this study was to determine the body weight, body length and height at withers of Kalahari Red goats raised under semi-intensive grazing system. Body weight and body measurements of Kalahari Red goats were obtained from 192 goats at MARDI Research Station, Kluang, Johor and analyzed according to age from birth to 48 months. The result showed that Kalahari Red goats had a constant growth rate up to 48 months of age. Animals with longer body length and higher withers height had heavier body weight compared to animals that were short in length and height. The highest correlation coefficient was between body weight and height at withers (r=0.96). The body measurements are important as indicators in establishing breed parameters for genetic improvement in the tropical country like Malaysia