Morphological Characterization of Konso Goat under Community-Based Breeding Program in South Ethiopia

Abstract

Indigenous Woyto-Guji goats are important for rural livelihoods in southern Ethiopia due to their adaptability and productivity under extensive management. However, their morphological and phenotypic diversity is not fully documented, which limits evidence-based breeding and management decisions. This study aimed to characterize Woyto-Guji goats and assess the effects of village, sex, and age on key qualitative and quantitative traits. A total of 362 goats from three villages (Baide, Arfayde, and Jarso) were sampled. Qualitative traits (coat color, color pattern, horn orientation, presence of wattles and ruffs) and quantitative traits (body weight, body length, chest girth, wither height, ear length, tail length, horn length, and scrotum circumference) were recorded. Age was determined by dentition, and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v20, including Chi-square tests for qualitative traits, GLM for quantitative traits,Pearson correlation, and stepwise regression for body weight prediction. Results showed significant variation (p < 0.05) among villages, sexes, and age classes. Jarso goats had higher body weight (26.38 ± 5.52 kg) and chest girth (72.71 ± 4.80 cm). Males had longer horns (9.21 ± 3.04 cm) and greater wither height (62.49 ± 5.29 cm), whereas females were slightly heavier (25.04 ± 5.01 kg vs. 24.75 ± 6.27 kg). Older goats (3PPI and 4PPI) exhibited larger body measurements compared to younger ones. Strong positive correlations were observed between body weight and chest girth (r = 0.86), body length (r = 0.76), and wither height (r = 0.64). A regression model using chest girth, body length, and wither height explained 80% of body weight variation (R² = 0.80, p < 0.001), providing a practical field-based estimation approach where scales are unavailable. These findings highlight the phenotypic diversity of Woyto-Guji goats across villages and age classes and offer data-driven insights for selective breeding and management. 

Keywords: Body weight prediction; Morphological characterization; Woyto-Guji goat transfer