Comparison of some zootechnical performances of local and Red Maradi goats reared under smallholder production systems in the Sudanian zone of Benin

The aim of this research was to compare the zootechnical performances of indigenous and Maradi goats reared under village conditions in the Sudanian zone of Benin. A questionnaire survey was carried out between August and October 2019, using the 12MO, a retrospective method for estimating demographic parameters in tropical ruminant livestock population and the progeny history method. Information related to farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, goat herd management practices and demographic parameters, and milk productivity from 198 does including 66 West African Dwarf (WADG), 68 Red Maradi (RMG) and 64 West African long-legged (WLLG) goats were collected in 80 smallholder farms. Pearson Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis W tests were performed respectively on the categorical and continuous variables. The average herd size was about 16.7 ± 9.0; 5.8 ± 3.1 and 15.4 ± 7.4 heads respectively for WADG, RMG and WLLG. Bucks were absent in several herds where kids (47.9 ± 12.8%) and does (46.6 ± 12.8%) predominated. Prolificacy rates at first and second parturition varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among goat types and were respectively 165.2 ± 59.5% and 195.1 ± 66.9% for WADG; 160.3 ± 55.0% and 196.0 ± 53.9% for RMG; 134.4 ± 54.1% and 154.6 ± 51.0% for WLLG. Parturition rates were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in WADG (159.1 ± 49.5%) than in RMG (138.2 ± 49.0%) and WLLG (132.8 ± 47.3%). Likewise, productive rates were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in WADG (277.3 ± 142.3%) than in RMG and WLLG (204.4 ± 125.1% and 168.8 ± 102.2% respectively). Milking was only performed on RMG and the amount of milk collected per milking ranged between 0.6 and 1 liter per doe. Enhancing goat herds’ productivity could be achieved through improved general herd management practices.