Selective breeding of Black Bengal goats for improving productivity

• Published in: Indian journal of animal sciences Vol. 84; no. 1; pp. 78 - 81
• Main Authors: CHANDRAN, P C, PANDIAN, S JEGAVEERA, RAY, P K, DEY, A, BARARI, S K, KAUSHAL, D K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2014
• ISSN: 0367-8318; 2394-3327
• DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v84i1.37316

The selective breeding methodology was followed for improving the productivity of Black Bengal goats under field conditions. Superior bucks were procured from the field and were trained for semen collection. The germplasm was transferred to the nearby village herds through AI. The height, length and girth of Black Bengal female goats at 3 months of age in the random bred population increased in the kids born from selective breeding. The body weight of Black Bengal goats in the random bred population at 3 and 12 months of age in the kids parented by selected bucks, the body weight was higher. Significant difference was not noticed between the random bred population and the population descended from selected bucks, but improvement in performance of the later was noticed for all the age groups. Phenotypic correlation between the body weight and morphometric traits was highly significant for both males and females. Strategy for long-term improvement of productivity through selective breeding was discussed.