Assessment of the reproductive traits of Saanen, Red Maradi goats and their crossbreeding the Sudano-guinean zone of North Benin

The study was conducted at the farm of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) "Fermiers Sans Frontière" to assess the reproductive performance of Red Maradi, Saanen goats and their crossbred F1 and F2 (backcross) in an intensive livestock farming system in northern Benin. The reproduction data were collected on 238 goats. The Red Maradi first reached age at conception and first kidding, followed by F1, Saanen and F2 (P<0.05). On the other hand, the average weight at mating was significantly higher in Saanen, followed by F1, F2 and Red Maradi. Goats born in the rainy season had better reproductive performance than the others born in the dry season. Similarly, single-born goats had the shortest period (P<0.05) for some reproductive performances (age at conception, age at first kidding, kidding interval and gestation period). The Red Maradi breed was superior in all reproductive traits indicating better reproductive performance of this breed compared to Saanen and F1 and F2. The effect of the season on most traits indicates the need for supplementation of goats during the dry season when the pasture condition is very poor for better reproductive performance.