PHENOTYPIC VARIATIONS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT IN AFIKPO NORTH, EBONYI STATE

Abstract

The study focused on elucidating phenotypic variations observed in West Africa Dwarf goats, specifically examining traits such as coat colour, horn characteristics, beard presence, and the development of wattles conducted in Afikpo North Local Government Area. The research involved a comprehensive analysis of 150 WAD goats, comprising 129 females and 21 males, originating from four distinct communities within Afikpo North. The parameters observed includes coat colour patterns, with variations such as brown, black, brown and white, brown and black, white, and mixed colours, alongside the evaluation of horns, beard presence, and wattle development. Notably, the prevalent coat colour was found to be black, with proportions of 36.00%, 34.00%, and 26.6% in Ndibe, Amasiri, and Enohia, respectively. Conversely, Unwana exhibited a dominance of brown and black colouration. Interestingly, white coat colour emerged as the least encountered, representing 6.67%, 10.00%, 15.00%, and 8.00% in Enohia, Ndibe, Unwana, and Amasiri, respectively. The study further revealed that 83.33% of the goats exhibited horns, while 34.67% possessed beards, and a substantial 97.33% lacked wattles. The overall level of phenotypic variation indicated a prevalence of traits such as black coat colour, the presence of a beard, horned individuals, and an absence of wattles. These findings underscore the importance of considering these traits in breeding programs, as they not only contribute to enhancing breeding efficiency but also play a crucial role in genetic control, mitigating aggressive behaviours, and aligning with market demands.