Productivity of the small East African goat and its crosses with the Anglo-Nubian and the Alpine in Rwanda.

Data from a research station in the central African country of Rwanda relating to purebred Small East African (SEA) goats, Anglo-Nubian x SEA and Alpine x SEA goats were analysed. Both SEA (598 days) and Alpine crosses (557 days) were younger at first kidding than the Anglo-Nubian crosses (766 days). There were no differences among genotypes in kidding interval which averaged 343 days nor did they differ in litter size (1.75). Mortality to 150 days (17.8%) was significantly higher in the Anglo-Nubian crosses than in Alpine crosses with the SEA being intermediate and not differing from either. Birth weights of individual kids were significantly lighter for purebred SEA (2.35 kg) than for Anglo-Nubians (2.68 kg) which were significantly lighter than the Alpine crosses (2.89 kg). Total litter weight at 150 days was significantly lower for SEA (14.5 kg) than for Alpine (18.8 kg), the Anglo-Nubian (16.9 kg) not differing significantly from either. Female postpartum weights differed significantly among genotypes, SEA being lightest (37.5 kg), Alpine crosses (42.1 kg) intermediate and Anglo-Nubian crosses (51.4 kg) heaviest. Productivity indices (total weight of live young at 150 days per kg of dam per year) averaged 442 g and did not differ among genotypes.