Biometric Characterisation and Reproductive Profiling of Native Mayurbhanj and Ganjam Goats (Capra hircus) of Odisha, India

Abstract

This comparative study evaluated biometric and reproductive traits in 210 Mayurbhanj goats and 193 Ganjam goats of Odisha across four age categories: birth, 3 months, 12 months and adult stages. Morphometric measurements and reproductive parameters were recorded, and the data were analysed using a fixed-effect model. Breed had a significant effect on body weight and major morphometric traits across the evaluated age groups. Mayurbhanj goats consistently showed a smaller body frame and lower body weight than Ganjam goats. At the adult stage, Mayurbhanj goats weighed 20.27 ± 0.66 kg, whereas Ganjam goats weighed 30.65 ± 0.88 kg. Sexual dimorphism was evident in both populations, with males showing higher body weight and larger body measurements than females at the documented ages. Reproductive traits indicated earlier maturity in Mayurbhanj goats, with age at sexual maturity of 7.68 ± 0.14 months compared with 13.85 ± 0.13 months in Ganjam goats. Mayurbhanj goats also showed a lower age at first kidding, shorter kidding interval and higher twinning percentage than Ganjam goats. Phenotypic correlation analysis indicated a strong positive association between body weight and chest girth, supporting the usefulness of chest girth as a field indicator for estimating body weight. Overall, the findings describe Mayurbhanj goats as a smaller-framed population with comparatively earlier reproductive performance than Ganjam goats under the conditions evaluated.