Adaptive Characteristics and Factors Affecting Them in Red Sokoto Goats in Hot Weather Environment

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to determine the adaptive characteristics that affect the performances of Red Sokoto Goat in hot weather environment. Data from a total of one hundred (100) Red Sokoto Goats were obtained from Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano and Sovet Farm Dawakin Kudu LG, Kano State. Data obtained were analyzed using JMP pro18.0 (2024). Linear traits were measured with measuring tape (cm) and body weight using weighing scale (kg). Traits taken were body weight (BW), heart girth (HG), height at withers (HW), body length (BL), horn length (HL), ear length (EL), hip height (HH) and hip width (HP). Morning and afternoon heart rates (HR1 & HR2), respiratory rates (RR1 & RR2) and rectal temperature (RT1 & RT2), respectively were taken as the physiological traits in bpm and ⁰C, respectively. The results showed significant variation (p3 years) has the highest traits in BL(24.43 kg), HG(68.51 cm), HW(56.63 cm), BL(63.33 cm), HL (13.05 cm), HH (60.42 cm) and HP(13.37 cm). However, sex has no significant differences (p>0.01) on growth and physiological traits of both sexes, but numerically HG, HW, BL, HH, HR1 and HR2 are higher in females than in the males. The effects of parity on growth and physiological traits revealed no significant differences. The correlated relationship between the growth and physiological traits revealed that BW has moderate, positive and significant (p