Some production traits of the West African Dwarf goat.
A study of West African Dwarf goats over a 5 year period indicated that these animals are not seasonal breeders but kid throughout the year. Sixty-five per cent of does kidded twice a year and multiple births accounted for 59% of all births. Seventy-two per cent of all deaths were of kids under 3 months of age. Pneumonia and starvation were the main causes of death. It is suggested that this is potentially a prolific breed which with proper husbandry and selection could help to meet the need for animal protein in sub-Saharan West Africa.
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008989:Monieziasis / Q000401:mortality; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D012098:Reproduction; D013045:Species Specificity; D013217:Starvation / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary