Algunos indicadores del comportamiento del caprino Landim mozambicano en el planalto de Angónia

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the indicators of the reproductive and productive performance of Mozambican Landim goats in the Angónia plateau, in Mozambique. Materials and Methods: The performance of a flock of Landim goats, made up of 135 does, six bucks, 114 kids and 95 growing animals, was studied. They were established as a single flock, based on natural pasture. The age and weight of reproductive incorporation, age at the first and second parturition, interval between parturitions, weights at birth and at thirty days (comparing sex), at six months, after one year, after one and a half, after two years, after two years and a half, as well as the average daily gain per periods, were analyzed during eight years. Results: The females reached puberty at 20 months of age, as average (variation between 16 and 24 months). The first parturition occurred between 21 and 26 months, weighing 32,5 kg. Incorporation weight was variable, between 24 and 40 kg (31,3 kg as average). The period between the first and second parturition was 12,4 months as average. The kids were born weighing 2,13 kg. At 30 days of age, the live weight of males (5,1 kg) exceeded that of females (4,8 kg). After one month of life, the growth curve tended to decrease as the age of the animals increased. Conclusions: The Landim goat shows late incorporation to reproduction and lengthening of the period between the first and the second parturition. From the productive point of view, it shows low potential, which is reflected on low daily gain and low live weight at two years of age, proving the low potential of the breed under these conditions.

Keywords

• goat; reproductive performance; weight at birth; body weight