Characterization, Production and Reproduction Performance of Southern Odisha Goats

Background: The native goat populations in southern Odisha viz. Narayanpatna, Malkangiri and Ganjam were characterized phenotypically in the present study. Ganjam goats stood apart from other populations due to their large, pointed horns and stature. Odisha state has 30 districts and 10 different agro-climatic zones. Methods: The present study area is under North Eastern ghat and Eastern ghat high land agro climatic zones. An extensive management system is used to raise all the goats with a flock size varying from 6 to 45. The body weight was recorded from birth to 12 months at an interval of 3 months. Result: The average adult body weight from these 3 goat populations was 17.39±0.20, 16.31±0.17, 16.39±0.20 kg for Ganjam, Malkangiri and Narayanpatna goats, respectively revealing that Ganjam goats were heavier than the other two populations. The average age at sexual maturity and kidding interval was recorded as 318.24±5.24 and 312.06±1.28 days, 236.76±6.23 and 223.21±0.88 days, 218.34±4.28 and 218.22±0.76 days for Ganjam, Narayanpatna and Malkangiri goats, respectively revealing that Ganjam goats had significantly higher estimates than other two types. Males of all goat types were found to have higher body weight than the female counterparts beyond 3 months of age and found to be conspicuous at later age. This information on the physical characterization and production potentials may be helpful in developing further breed improvement strategies and breed registration.