Abstract:
The study of the non-genetic factors (season of birth, year of birth, sexes, type of birth)
influencing weight gain from birth to three months ( weaning), from three to nine months (after
weaning), from birth to nine months (from birth to adulthood) and the corresponding average
daily gain of Maradi goat was carried out. Data concerned 324 animals from the Caprine Center
of Maradi, born from 1996 to 2000. The season of birth had a highly significant effect on the
weight at birth (P < 0.0001), on the average daily weight gain from birth to three months (P<
0.0001), and from birth to nine months (P< 0.001). The best growth performances were observed
in animals born during the rainy season (S3) than in other seasons (BW (S3) =2.28 kg, BW (S2)
=1.97kg BW (S3) =2.1kg). The year of birth influenced significantly one month weight and the
average daily gain from birth to nine months (P< 0.005). The effect of the sexes was significant
on the birth weight (P< 0.001) and the average daily gain from birth to nine months (P< 0.01).
Heritability estimates varied from 0.15 to 0.8 (from birth to nine month).This study show the
importance of non genetic and gentics factors and could be taken into account in further genetic
improve of Maradi goat. |
