Abstract:
The aim of this paper was to determine the measures of the hoof and its relationship with body mass of different goat breeds, raised in semi-intensive conditions at subtropical Mediterranean region of Turkey. For this aim, four improved goat breeds as Saanen, Alpine, Damascus, Boer, were raised in Research Farm unit of Cukurova University, Agricultural Faculty, Dairy Goat Research Farm, were used as animal material. All does were 2 years old and in first lactations. The herd dense was 500 heads live in the semi-open barn of which has 1.5 m2 surface area per animals. Measured traits were length of hoof, height of hoof, height of heel, diagonal diameter of hoof, width of hoof, bulb length, claw length, and dorsal wall angle. At the end of the study there were significant differences found between hoof dimensions and dairy and meat type goats in intensive conditions. The meat type goats, Damascus and Boer had higher hoof dimensions than the dairy Alpine and Saanen goats. On contrary to this the front claw of the goats were larger than the back side. The significant differences between adult live weights of genotypes were determined as expected. By examining correlation coefficient between body mass and claw length, height of hoof, diagonal diameter of hoof and bulb height, there were positive and significant correlation. On contrary negative and significant correlation with length of hoof and body weight of intensive goats, as well. |
