Selection & judging of goats
Download as PPTX, PDF3 likes1,625 views
The document discusses selection of goats for farming. It begins by outlining why goat farming is important, noting that goats require less space, are easier to maintain than other livestock, and are well-suited to India's agro-climatic conditions. It then provides statistics on goat populations in India and the state of Assam. The document emphasizes the importance of selection and provides criteria for selecting bucks and does based on conformation, structure, muscling, growth, and symmetry. Proper dentition, udder development, and testicle size are some of the key traits discussed. The conclusion stresses that careful selection can enhance productivity and market value.
Selection & judging of goats
- 1. Selection of Goats Prepared by Dr Siddhartha S. Pathak, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Livestock Production Management Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science Assam Agricultural University, Joyhing, Lakhimpur
- 2. Contents • Why goat farming ? • Where we stand ? • Why selection ? • Selection classes • Selection of bucks • Judging • Conclusion • Take home message
- 3. Why is goat important ?? • Goats were one of the first domesticated animal. • Requires less space and additional facilities • Marketing • Easy to maintain • Smaller in size reaches market age faster. • Changing agro-climatic conditions, goats are ‘Future Animal’ for prosperity in the country.
- 4. Where we stand ? India scenario (19th Livestock Census-2012) • Goat population : 135.17 million • To total livestock population 26.40% • Rajasthan : 16.03 % • Assam : 4.56 %
- 5. Assam scenario (19th Livestock Census-2012) • In Assam : 6.16 million • Change of 46.43 % { 2007 vs 2012} • Udalguri major contribution of 15.96 % • Lakhimpur contributes 3.41 % • Dhemaji 2.31%
- 7. Selection Classes SCORING BODY CONFORMATION 199 Highest conformation 150 Middle conformation 100 Lowest conformation
- 8. Highest conformation • Superior meat-type conformation Thickly muscled as indicated by – Pronounced (bulging) outside leg (B. femoris and Semitendinosus) – Full (rounded) back strip (rib and loin, L. dorsi) – Moderately thick outside shoulder (T. brachii group) - ADGA
- 9. Middle conformation • Average meat-type conformation Moderately muscled as indicated by Slightly thick and slightly pronounced outside leg (B. femoris and Semitendinosus) Slightly full (flat or slightly shallow) back strip (rib and loin, L. dorsi) Slightly thick to slightly thin outside shoulder (T. brachii group) - ADGA
- 10. Lowest conformation • Inferior meat-type conformation Moderately muscled as indicated by – Narrow legs, back, shoulders in relation to body length – Very angular and shrunken appearance – Deficient muscling in leg, back strip (rib and loin, L. dorsi), shoulder - ADGA
- 12. Selection of bucks • Masculinity and adequate muscling. • The head should be masculine with a broad, strong muzzle and horns set far apart. • Bucks must have two large, well-formed, functional, equal- sized testes in a single scrotum. • More semen is produced by bucks with greater scrotal circumference.
- 13. • Mature bucks should have a scrotum circumference of at least 25 cm or 10 inches. • In young bucks, testicles should be of equal size and large for day of age. • Avoid selecting bucks that show overly Pendulous testicles. • Testicles should be free of bumps or lumps and should be smooth. Selection of bucks
- 14. Judging a caprine • Structural correctness (Skeleton, feet, legs) • Muscling (examining loin, rump, quarters) • Conformation (combination) • Growth (overall skeletal size and development) • Balance/symmetry (eye appeal) • Finish/condition (fat covering the body, BCS)
- 16. Dentition • Mature goats have 32 teeth of which 24 are molars and 8 are incisors. • At 10 year or older, permanent teeth will fall out. • An animal that has its jaws misaligned, or teeth missing may not be as efficient in grazing. • Deciduous Teeth Dental Formula: 2(Di 0/4; Dc 0/0; Dp 3/3) = 20 • Permanent Teeth Dental Formula 2(I0/4; C0/0; P3/3; M3/3)= 32
- 17. Dentition
- 20. Body Loin area Thigh - Courtesy Google
- 21. 1 2 - Courtesy Google - Courtesy Google
- 22. Hind quarters - Courtesy Google
- 23. Goat fun facts • Each kid has a unique call, and along with its scent, that is how its mother recognizes it from birth – not by sight. • It is unhealthy for a goat to be kept alone as they often gets depressed. • They have vision of 320-340 0 whereas humans 160-210 0 - Courtesy Google- Courtesy Google
- 25. Strength
- 27. Rump angle
- 28. Rump width
- 30. Rear udder height & arch
- 33. Final score • Assigning a score of poor (P), fair (F), Acceptable (A), good plus (+), very good (V) or excellent (E) – Excellent (E) : 90 and above – Very good (V) : 85-89 – Good plus (+) : 80-84 – Acceptable (A) : 70-79 – Fair (F) : 60-69 – Poor (P) : below 60
- 34. Conclusion • Several steps for selection of goats • Depends on production and marketing goals • For meat production, goats must have a lengthy body, muscling characteristics etc • For dairy, does must have a good udder development, teat length & diameter etc.
- 35. Take home message Careful selection of breeding stock can enhance milk production, carcass merit and the market value of offspring.