Effect of Wattle Trait on Body Sizes and Scrotal Dimensions of Traditionally Reared West African Dwarf (WAD) Bucks in the Derived Savannah Environment

This study was focused on the effect of wattle trait on body sizes and scrotal dimensions of traditionally reared WAD bucks in the derived savannah environment. Data were collected from 153 bucks ranging from 4 months to 2 years of age and this included, scrotal length, scrotal circumference, body weight, height at withers, body length and chest girth. Parameters for wattle traits included, wattle incidence (presence or absence), wattle shape (oval or cylindrical) and wattle position (under or beside neck). Data obtained were adjusted for age effect and subjected to Analysis of variance. There were significant effects (P < 0.05) of wattle incidence, wattle shape and wattle location on body weight, body length, chest girth and scrotal length of WAD bucks. In addition, height at wither was only affected (P < 0.05) by wattle shape. Cylindri-cally shaped wattled bucks whose wattles were located under the neck had more of body weight, body length, chest girth and scrotal length. Meanwhile, the height of goats whose wattles were cylindrical were more than those with oval shaped. Therefore, selection based on wattle traits can be employed as an indirect and affordable means of determining higher body sizes and fertility in WAD bucks.