EFFECT OF BREED, AGE AND SEX ON BODY WEIGHT AND VARIOUS BODY MEASUREMENTS IN AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR GOAT BREEDS

A survey was carried out in breeding tracts of five goat breeds of AJK viz. Jattal, Buchi, Kooti, Lambri and Bairli to study the effect of breed, age and sex on body weight and various body traits. Data of body measurements and weight were recorded by project staff under field conditions.AJK districts Kotly, Muzafrabad, Neelum Valley and Mirpur were surveyed. Body measurements i.e. heart girth, height, length, chest length, pubic bone length and live body weight were taken. Data were arranged according to age, sex and breed and analyzed using Mixed Procedure by REML methodology in SAS version 9.2. Overall breeds did not differ for live body weight (P = 0.05), heart girth, length, pubic bone and chest length. However, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) of height between Buchi and Kooti (69.28 +/- 1.46 VS 75.67 +/- 1.22) and Kooti and Bairli (75.67 +/- 1.22 VS 70.12 +/- 1.25). There significant difference between age for all the body measurement and body weight (P< 0.05) except for body length which varied significantly with age. Overall male goats showed higher values for all body traits than female with exception of pubic bone. Lambri goat showed highest body weight followed by Jattal, Bairli, Kooti and Buchi. The present study revealed for the first time variations in body measurements across age, sex and breed in AJK. The results from the present study have useful implications for launching any selection program in region to improve meat production.