Veterinary Science & Technology

Comparing Begait, Hararghe Highland and Somali Goat Productivity and Production for Better Utilization, Ethiopia

Abstract

Mahilet Dawit*, Bruh Asmelash, Negasi Ameha and Yosef Tadese

Begait, Hararghe highland and Somali goats are known and economically important indigenous breed in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to compare the traits of Begait, Hararghe high land and Somali goat for better utilization. Performance data also collected from 58 Hararghe highland and 58 Somali goats at Haramaya University goat farm. Total of 60 household were interviewed to access the status and performance of Begait goat at farmer level production system. Feed shortage, disease, vet facility and limitation of browsing area were the challenges in ascending order in the production area of Begait goat. The reproductive and production characteristics of Begait goat were: 19.30 ± 0.73 kidding interval, 4.76 ± 0.119 age at poverty, 12.51 ± 0.203 age at first calving, 6.11 ± 0.129 months weaning age, 26.07 ± 0.51 kg yearling weight, and 6.11 ± 0.129 kg weaning weight. Whereas for the Hararghe highland goats were: 19.19 ± 0.45 kgYearling weight, 3.5 ± 0.07 months weaning age, 12.69 ± 0.28 kg weaning weight, 10.55 ± 0.17 months kidding interval and 2.39 ± 0.06 kg birth weight. Somali goat reproductive and production performance characteristics were also: 20.72 ± 0.32 kg yearling weight, 3.63 ± 0.070 months weaning age, 15.83 ± 2.03 kg weaning weight, 9.88 ± 0.13 months kidding interval and 2.99 ± 0.14 kg birth weight. The Begait goats were found as prolific breed area where there is shortage of feed and water, and high prevalence of disease. The productivity and Reproduction Performance of Somali goats were slightly higher than Hararghe highland goat. But, the Begait goat had good productivity and production performance than both breeds.