Analysis of size and conformation of native Creole goat breeds and crossbreds used in smallholder agrosilvopastoral systems in Puebla, Mexico.

Liveweight (LW) of does and bucks of the native Creole goat breed and crosses of Creole does and Nubian bucks, aged 1.5-5 years, were recorded and body traits including: head length (HL), head width (HW), body length (BL), trunk length (TL), chest girth (CG), abdominal perimeter (AP), rump length (RL), and height at withers (HW) were measured to develop equations for predicting LW from the body measurements. Weight, sex, breed and kidding date of 354 kids were recorded at birth, and LW of the kids was measured monthly for one year to determine the effect of kidding season on growth rate. Bucks had higher (p < 0.05) body measurements than the does (HL 15.1 +/- 0.1 vs 16.6 +/- 0.2 cm; BL 97.6 +/- 0.4 vs 104.6 +/- 1.2 cm; CG 78.8 +/- 0.4 vs 79.9 +/- 1.0 cm; AP 82.4 +/- 0.5 vs 87.2 +/- 1.1 cm; HW 62.7 +/- 0.4 vs 70.1 +/- 0.8 cm). With the exception of TL, F2 does had higher (p < 0.05) body measurements and LW (28.8 +/- 1.5 vs 27.7 +/- 0.5 kg) than Creole does. The body traits of the F1 does were similar (p > 0.05) to those of Creole does with the exception of HL, BL and HR. The F2 kids were heavier (p < 0.05) at birth (3.31 +/- 0.1 vs 2.60 +/- 0.1 kg) and grew faster than the Creole kids. Male kids were heavier (p < 0.05) at birth (3.21 +/- 0.10 vs 2.73 +/- 0.13 kg), and grew faster than female kids. Season had a significant effect on birth weight. The results showed that LW of Creole goats and Creole x Nubian does could be estimated in the field using body traits. Birth weight and growth rate of kids could be improved by management practices that affect season of kidding.