Reproductive performance of boer goats supplied by NAADS to farmers of Obalanga sub county, Amuria district.

Abstract

The study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of Boer goats supplied by NAADS to the selected farmers of Obalanga sub-countyin Amuria District. The study looked at the reproductive parameter of Boer does and buck and the relationship between the duration of keeping goats and the number of goats owned by the households. The cross sectional study design was used and both quantitative and qualitative approaches were involved, Samples of 100 households in 25 villages of 5 out of 7 parishes were randomly selected for the study. The study instruments were observation and questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using SPPS program and presented in tables, pie-charts and graphs. In the study, the reproductive performance of Boer does and bucks was found to be high. The Boer does attained puberty from 5-10 months. The heat period lasted for 17-2 days. The gestation period of doe was found to be approximately 5 months. The litter size was found to be close to 2. The kid's presentation during kidding was normal (anterior). The interval between kidding and onset of heat Was found to be 2 months. The bucks had no difficulties in mating since their behind legs were normal. The testes were observed to be symmetrical. The libido was revealed as being moderateandhigh during dry season. There was a statistical significant relationship between the duration of keeping goats and the number ofgoats owned by households of Obalanga Sub County in Amuria district. The study recommended that the government and other stakeholders e.g. donors, GBOs, NGOs, through animal health or extension personnel should sensitize farmers on good management practices like proper breeding of goats for better reproductive performance of the Beer goat in, the area and the region. More research should also be done in this field lucre particularly on the indigenous breed(s) of the area for a better comparison.