Giday, J: Phenotypic Characterization of Goats

BlurbLack of accurate information about indigenous goat genetic resources is a major constraint to their conservation and utilization. Despite their economic importance, little attention has been paid to the development of goats through research and extension. Additionally, data on on-farm performance and carcass trait characteristics of Abergelle goats have been not well documented. This inevitably leads to under utilization of these goats in the existing production systems. This book therefore provides methods of assessing, evaluating, describing and measuring the Characteristics of Traditional Goat Production System, Physical, and Morph metric Measurements, adaptation to the environment and performance evaluation of goats to generate baseline information for future research and utilization. This book is used to formulate a sound goat improvement program through research and extension and plan a rational use of goat resources by governmental and non governmental institutions engaged in goat development activities, meat processing and farmers to select, conserve and utilize superior animals from the existing local breeds.