Reproductive Performance and Husbandry Practices of West African Dwarf Goats in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Résumé

The study evaluated the reproductive performance and husbandry practices of West African Dwarf Goats in Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State, Nigeria. One hundred respondents were randomly selected from the four major axis of the LGA (Ijowa, Makutu, Idofin and Ilafin) while 94 questionnaires were retrieved. Majority of the goats (72.34%) were does, (60. 64%) of the respondents indicated twinning ability and (78.72%) started breeding from 1 – 20 months. 68.09% respondents had between 3 to 5 adult goats and 60.64% had 3^rd parity of the dam. The result from this present study also showed that (74.47%) have housing for their goats. It was revealed from this study that (53.19%) recorded cases of disease outbreak, (42.55%) were affected by trypanosomiasis and (79.79%) of the respondents called on veterinary doctors.It was concluded that WAD goats have great potentials however, the management practices being adopted in the study area do not allow them to show their maximum potentials It is therefore recommended that the government should employ more veterinary personnel for easy contact and prompt treatment against the major diseases ravaging the study area. Also the farmers should purchase more male breeder goats in order to improve the productive performance of West African dwarf goats in the study area.