Selection Response on Growth and Milk Production Performance of Abergelle Goat Managed Under Station Conditions in Wag-Himra, Ethiopia

Background and Objective: Aberegelle goat was small in body size and highly resistant to the harsh environment in the low land of Wag-Himra. The objective of the study was to conserve the indigenous Abergelle goat and improve growth and milk production traits through selective breeding. Materials and Methods: The selection of bucks was done once a year using indexed estimated breeding value of yearling weight and their respective dam milk yield performances. A total of 469 for body weight and 345 for milk yield records were used for performance evaluation top-ranked bucks selected from the flock were used as replacements at the nucleus while the surplus bucks were disseminated to nearby villages. The general linear model procedure of SAS software (version 9.0) was employed to evaluate the body weight and milk yield of the breed during the last five years (2016-2020). Results: The overall birth, three-month, six-month, nine-month and yearling weights were 1.98, 6.5, 8.6, 11.4 and 13.8 kg, respectively. The overall lactation milk yield, average daily milk yield and lactation length were 17.64, 0.30 kg and 8.45 weeks, respectively. Within the last five consecutive selections years’ birth weight has increased from 1.64±0.04 to 2.3±0.02 kg, weaning weight from 5.6±0.25 to 7.5±0.15 kg and yearling weight from 13±0.43 to 15.2±0.27 kg. Wet season birth was important for increasing milk production and lactation length. Nucleus flocks in the station, the growth traits and milk traits can be improved by selection and selection at the station once a year. Conclusion: The selection of breeding bucks should be at the age of six months and nine months before the breeding bucks go market for sale.