Abstract

A study was carried out to assess udder characteristics of 114 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats reared under extensive and semi-intensive systems of management. Udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC), udder length (UL), distance between teats (DBT), right teat diameter (RTD), left teat diameter (LTD), right teat length (RTL) and left teat length (LTL) were measured. The animals were classified into two groups comprising animals below the age of two years and above two years of age respectively. Statistical analysis of the data collected showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in UC of goats reared under the two systems. The means of 22.60 ± 0.78 and 22.69 ± 0.82, 18.82 ± 1.45 and 18.73 ± 1.48 for right and left halves of the udder were recorded for goats reared under the semi intensive and extensive management systems respectively. Goats that were aged two years and above had mean values of 25.44 ± 0.58 and 25.28 ± 0.54 under the semi intensive system for the right and left halves respectively, while extensive system had 23.09 ± 0.68 and 23.20 ± 0.61 for the  right and left halves respectively. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed between the two management systems for the rest of the udder characteristics that were studied in the two groups of goats.

Key words: Udder characteristics, management system, reproduction, goat.