Effect Of Breed And Breeding Season Interaction On Reproductive Performance Of Goats In A Humid Tropical Environment:- Nwoko, Ignatius N.

ABSTRACT

 An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect ofseason on the reproductive performance ofWest African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goats in a humid tropical environment. Four breeding seasons, comprising early dry, late dry, early rain and late rain were considered for the investigation. Experimental animals were randomly selected from the flock ofMichael Okpara University Agricultural Farm. The experiment was a 2x2x4 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Semen quality ofthe bucks used in the experiment was evaluated in each season. There was no significant difference between the breeds and among breeding seasons (P>0.05). Season equally had no significant effect on the semen quality and characteristics ofthe bucks used in the experiment. It is therefore, concluded that the breeds could breed all year round in the zone, and a breeding programme should be undertaken to improve and multiply the breeds for distribution to farmers in the zone.