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Distribution: Calicut, Cannannore and Malapuram districts of Kerala.
Numbers: The total goat population in the Malabari distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.389 m, of which 0.028 m adult males and 0.193 m adult females.
Climate:
| Average monthly temperature (ºC) |
Average |
Range |
|
minimum |
23.7 |
24.8-25.9 |
|
maximum |
30.7 |
28.3-32.6 |
| Average monthly relative humidity (%) |
|
morning |
81 |
71.5-91.5 |
|
evening |
74.5 |
62.5-88.5 |
| Annual rainfall (cm) |
337.5 |
Breed Characteristics:
|
Adult males |
Adult females |
| Body weight |
38.96 |
31.12 |
| Body length |
70.2 |
63.5 |
| Height at withers |
71.9 |
63.2 |
| Chest girth |
73.8 |
67.4 |
Conformation: Medium-sized animals. Coat color varies widely from completely white to completely black. 31% of the goats have long hair. Males and a small percentage of females (13%) are bearded. Both sexes have small, slightly twisted, horns, directed outward and upward. Ears are medium-sized, directed outward and downward; ear length: 16.20 +- 0.17 cm. Tail is small and thin; tail length: 13.16 +- 0.06 cm . Udder is small and round, with medium-sized teats.
Flock structure: The average flock contains 5.44 individuals (range: 1 to 15), of which 0.40 bucks, 2.02 does and 3.02 kids. Two thirds of flocks do not maintain a breeding male.
Reproduction:
|
|
Days |
| Age at first kidding |
609.9 |
| Kidding interval |
286.6 |
| Service period |
|
| Kidding percentage (%) |
|
| Litter size: (%) |
|
| Singles |
50.5 |
| Twins |
42.4 |
| Triplets |
6.6 |
| Quadruplets |
0.5 |
Mortality %:
| Pre-weaning |
32.8 |
| Adults |
11.0 |
Breeding: Pure breeding except in very limited areas near Mannuthy, where cross-breeding with Alpine and Saanen has been undertaken by the Kerala Agricultural University. The cross-breeds showed improvement both in reproduction and milk production.
Performance:
|
Milk |
| Lactation yield (Kg) |
43.78 |
| Lactation length (days) |
143.5 |
|
Meat (kg.) |
| At birth |
1.63 |
| At weaning |
5.76 |
| 6 months |
8.73 |
| 9 months |
11.41 |
| 12 months |
14.12 |
|
Hair (g per year) |
|
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Reference:
All information and photographs contained here are posted in conjunction and cooperation with Goats in India. For additional information, please visit the Goats in India web site or email Capra@iespana.es.
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