| dc.description.abstract | Goats are an important component of mixed and sustainable livestock and agriculture farming
systems in the tropics and form an integral component of the livestock sector in Kenya. Three
exotic breeds, the Toggenburg, the German Alpine and the Saanen have been introduced in
various parts of the country by a number of non-governmental organizations (NGO). Since
their introduction, their reproductive performance and that of their crosses has not been
documented in most parts of the country. Retrospective data from 311 animals comprising
Galla, Toggenburg and their crosses over a seven year period was obtained in order to
determine and compare their reproductive performance in Nzeluni division of Mwingi
District in Kenya.
Goats in the study area were kept under extensive conditions. There was occasional
supplementation for the pure Toggenburg with acacia seeds during the dry season. Breeding
was natural and kidding occurred throughout the year with peaks in February and August.
The average age at first kidding (AFK) was 1066.7 ± 37.7 (x ± s.e) and 976.0 ± 79 days for
the Galla x Toggenburg cross and the Toggenburg respectively. The average kidding
intervals (KI) were 464.6 ± 28.7, 439.2 ± 39.5 and 371.7 ± 63.1 days for the Galla, Galla x
Toggenburg crosses and Toggenburg breeds respectively. The effect of breed on the litter size
and number of services per conception (NSC) was significant (p< 0.05). The average litter
size were 1.25 ± 0.02, 1.29 ± 0.04, and 1.0 ± 0.07 for the Galla, Galla x Toggenburg crosses
and Toggenburg respectively while the average number of services per conception was 1.6 ±
0.05 and 1.36 ± 0.07 for the Galla and Galla x Toggenburg crosses, respectively. In spite of
feed supplementation, the purebred Toggenburg performance was lower than that observed in
the Galla and the Galla x Toggenburg crosses. The study indicated that the Galla x
Toggenburg cross was a better genotype in terms of reproductive performance, under the
Mwingi district conditions hence better adapted to the area than the pure Toggenburg. | en_US |
