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Survey and characterization of Attappady black goats of Kerala, India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

M. Stephen ,
T.V. Raja  and
I. Sosamma
M. Stephen
Affiliation:
College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, P.O. Box 680 651, Trichur, Kerala, India
T.V. Raja
Affiliation:
College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, P.O. Box 680 651, Trichur, Kerala, India
I. Sosamma
Affiliation:
College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy, P.O. Box 680 651, Trichur, Kerala, India
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Summary

Attappady Black goats are found exclusively in Attappady, an isolated hilly region of Kerala, India. A survey on these goats was carried out in the breeding tract for the purposes of breed characterization. The total population of Attappady Blacks in the area was estimated to be 9351, which represented only 40% of the total goat population in the area. These goats are reared mainly by the tribes of Attappady and maintained on an extensive grazing system. The animals are black in colour with bronze coloured eyes. Ears are medium in length (13.5 cm) drooping over the lateral side of the face. Horns are present in both males and females and they are curved laterally upwards and backwards. Tassels are present in some animals. Their tail is of a bunchy type and curved. The average body length, height at withers, height at rump, chest girth and paunch girth of these goats in the adult stage were found to be 67±0.8, 80±0.8, 76±0.8, 71±1.3, 75±1.3 cm, in males and 63±0.4, 69±0.4, 71±0.3, 69±0.4, 75±0.3 cm in females, respectively. Adult males above 18 months of age weigh on average 35±1.1 kg and females weigh 31±0.4 kg. Attappady Blacks are reared for meat purposes.

Resumen

La raza caprina Attappady Black se encuentra exclusivamente en Attappady, una zona montañosa aislada de la region de Kerala en la India. Se realizó una encuesta sobre esta raza en su zona de origen con el fin de caracterizar la raza. Se estimó la población total de Attappady Blacks en el area en 9 351 animales, lo que representa el 40% de la población caprina en la zona. Esta raza viene criada principalmente por las tribús de Attappady en sistemas de pastos extensivos. Los animales son negros con ojos color bronce. Las orejas son medianas (13,5 cm) y caen a los lados de la cara. Los cuernos están presentes tanto en machos como en hembras y se curvan lateralmente hacia arriba y luego hacia abajo. Algunos animales presetan también borla. La cola es de tipo pequeña y curvada. En su fase adulta la media de largura corporal, altura al garrete, altura a la cadera, circunferencia torácica son, respectivamente, 67±0,8; 80±0,8; 76±0,8; 71 ± 1,3; 75±1,3 cm en los machos y 63±0,4; 69±0,4; 71±0,3; 69±0,4; 75±0,3 cm en las hembras. Los machos adultos a los 18 meses presentan un peso medio de 35±1,1 kg y las hembras de 31±0,4 kg. La raza Attappady Black se cria principalmente para producción de carne.

Keywords

GoatsGoat genetic resourcesHabitatPopulationPhysical charactersManagement
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 37 , April 2005 , pp. 43 - 52
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2005

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References

List of References

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