Structural indices of indigenous goats reared under traditional management systems in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

In phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources, structural indices are essential components to understand the breed structure and body proportions. They are the ethnological characteristics as well as functional traits of animals providing information about the type, aptitude, and production purpose of animals. This study intends to provide information on the structural indices of indigenous goats reared under the smallholder management systems in selected districts of East Gojjam Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Data on body weight and nine morphometric measurements were collected from 706 goats (589 does and 117 bucks) selected using their dentition (≥ One Pair of Permanent Incisor), physiological status (lactating females and intact males), and health condition (healthy). Nineteen structural indices were calculated from morphometric measurements and analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the statistical analysis system (SAS, 9.0). Data were analyzed for does and bucks separately. Location had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on pelvic index, transversal and longitudinal pelvic indices, dactyl thoracic index, and relative cannon thickness index of bucks. Except for height slope, pelvic index, baron and crevat, body ratio, areal index, over increase index, weight-1, and weight-2, all other structural indices calculated for does were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by location. Strong correlations were observed between the structural indices calculated from the linear body measurements. The study revealed that goats in the study area are longilinear and light animals that have dairy biotype. However, further studies are needed to classify the goat types for their production purposes.