Rational indicators, biometrics and nutrition of Khalkhali goat in its native habitat

Document Type : Animal science

Authors

Animal Science Research Department, Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

This study was carried out in indigenous habitat and breeding area of Khalkhali goat with the aim of identifying racial traits, nutritional, biometric and phenotypic characteristics. In order to implementthis plan, at first, the districts of the Khalkhali goat breed were identified. Then, from three parts (Central, Khorosh Rostam and Emamrudd) in Khalkhal, a total of 24 villages were selected and three herds studied from each village. The selection of villages was proportional in a randomized manner. The data collection method was a questionnaire, observation and measurement. The results showed that 79.3% of Herdsmen, were breeding their flocks in a rural way and 20.7% with a semi-nomadic way. The average number of people in each family was 7.1. The average of goats and kids in the composition of herds  was 44.5%. The dominant color of Khalkhali goat was pure black and white–black, each with an average of 34.3%. Most of the goats had horns and only 26.8% have did not. Correlation coefficients between the main areas of the body, including the height of intersect, round the chest and abdomen, in both the female and yearling goats are higher than 40 percentage.Mean duration of grazing of goats from rangelands and left over of farms was 3.8 months / year with an average of 1.82 time manual feeding /day. The time of keeping the goats in the barn was 3.7 months / year and the number of manual feeding in the barn was 4.2 times. The average daily forage and concentrate consumption of goats was 0.66 and 0.25 kg / head of goat, respectively. Often the deaths of goats are due to gallbladder sediments, and diarrhea is a common disease.

Keywords


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