Studies on factors affecting performance of dairy Goats and on socio-economic aspects of dairy Goat production in Tchenzema and Dareda wards in Tanzania

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate performance of dairy goats and to assess socio-economic aspects of introducing dairy goats in Tchenzema and Dareda wards in Tanzania. Data were obtained from performance records covering 6 years (1988 - 1993). Growth and lactation performance traits were analysed by General Linear model (GLM) procedures. Information from interviews was summarized as percentages and frequency distributions. The findings were as follow: Overall weights at birth, weaning, 6 and 9 months were 2.62 ± 0.03, 11.11 ± 0.15, 14.70 ± 0.29 and 17.02 ± 0.53kg, respectively Mean pre and post weaning growth rates were 92.16 ± 2.10 and 76.07 ± 5.69 g/day, respectively At birth males were heavier than females (2.68 vs 2.53 kg) and single born kids outweighed multiple kids (2.64 vs 2.57 kg). Similarly, pre weaning growth rates were greater (98.68 vs 90.04 g/day) in males than in females Kids born as single grew faster (104 vs 85 g/day) than multiples Kids with 87 - 94% Norwegian blood had heavier birth weights and grew faster at pre weaning compared to kids with other genetic groups Effects of year and farmer were significant for most growth related traits Average age at first kidding, kidding interval and dry period were 527.08 ± 20.97, 338.45 ± 9.88 and 127.00 ± 9.08 days, respectively farmer, genetic group, type of birth and year had no effect (P>0.05) on these parameters except for year effect on dry period Parity had significant effect on kidding interval (P Average daily yield, lactation yield and lactation length of Norwegian goats and their crosses in Tchenzema were 0.87 ± 0.01, 141.02 ± 8.04 litres and 258.31 ± 5.69 days,