Environmental and genetic influences on pre-weaning performance of crossbreeds and local breed of goats in southern Tanzania
Mtambuki,Abel|Salum,Mohamed / 2000

The study was conducted to evaluate environmental and genetic influences on pre-weaning performance of two cross breeds and one sub type breed of goat in sub humid condition of southern Tanzania. Sources of variations in the study variables were sex, breed and litter size and season of birth. Birth and weaning weights (16 weeks) averaged 2.6±0.06kg and 9.3±0.4kg, respectively. Overall weight gain was 65.7g/day. Sex, litter size and birth season affected birth and weaning weights across all breeds (P<0.05). However, breed had no significant effect on weaning weight. Significant differences between breeds were detected in birth weight. Weight at weaning was not significantly influenced by season and litter size. The average mortality rate was 18.7%. No significant differences were detected between litter size of the kids born. Pre-weaning mortality rates of breeds were 14.9%, 28.0% and 12.6% for Anglonubian crosses, local Newala and Toggernburg crosses, respectively. The most important diseases experienced were pneumonia, helminthiasis and orf. Based on these findings it can be argued that crossbred goats performed better than the local breed with respect to body weight and mortality. It is suggested that on farm experiment be carried out to evaluate the performance of these breeds under farmers' management