Breed characteristics of Salem black Goat of Tamil Nadu

Abstract
A survey to identify the habitat, distribution and to establish breed characteristics, production and reproduction performances of Salem black goats was conducted in farmer’s herds in Tamil Nadu. Salem Black Goats were distributed in Salem, Dharampuri and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu. They were tall animals with a lean body and predominantly black in color. Average herd size was 21.87 (range 1 to 86). The pooled means for height at withers, chest girth, body length, for full mouth (eight tooth) were 84.30 ± 0.66, 82.34 ± 0.58 and 73.53 ± 0.74 cm, respectively. The coefficient of variations for body measurements ranged from 2.72 to 15.06 per cent for adult goats. The carcass trait such as dressing percentage at adult animals at 6, 12 months and two and four tooth were 43.39 ± 0.42, 47.38 ± 0.23, 44.31 ± 0.46 and 48.82 ± 0.91 per cent, respectively. Age at first kidding and kidding interval were varied from 13 to 19 months and 8 to 10 months, respectively. The mean litter size of the dose pooled over parities was 1.48 ± 0.13. The overall incidence of multiple births was 37.55 per cent. Kidding occurred throughout the year with high frequency in June and August.
Description
TNV_SIJVS_2013_1(1)15-20
Keywords
Veterinary Science
Citation