THE PERFORMANCE OF WEST-AFRICAN DWARF DOES AND THEIR KIDS AT VARIOUS STOCKING DENSITIES ON STYLO-BASED PASTURE IN THE SUBHUMID ZONE OF NIGERIA

Two studies were conducted between 1991 and 1993 to assess the impact of grazing improved v. natural pasture at different stocking densities on animal and vegetation responses. In the first grazing season, goat s of the West African Dwarf (WAD) breed were grazed at four stocking d ensities - 1.90, 2.86, 3.86 or 4.71 TLU/ha (Tropical Livestock Unit = 250 kg liveweight). Wet-season grazing lasted for 14 weeks while asses sment was continued until kids were weaned at 120 days of age. There w ere significant (P < 0.05) changes in the content of legume and forbs in response to variations in stocking density. Liveweight gain per hea d was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at low than at high stocking den sity. The same trend was maintained with most aspects of reproductive performance. Goats at low stocking density were of a higher (P < 0.05) body condition score at parturition and had larger litter sizes than does stocked at high stocking density. Kid birth weight and liveweight gain were significantly (P < 0.001) higher at low than at high stocki ng density. The overall weight loss in does during nursing was similar at the different stocking densities. In the following year, compariso ns were made between three stocking densities, 2.11, 3.17 and 4.23 TLU /ha, on improved and unimproved pastures. Over 14 weeks of wet-season grazing, there was a significant (P < 0.01) decline in available dry m atter except at the lowest stocking density on both pasture types. Wei ght gain per head decreased with increase in stocking density while th e reverse was true for weight gain per unit of land. No significant di fferences were observed for reproductive performance between pasture t ypes or stocking densities. Kid growth rate up to weaning declined wit h increase in stocking density (P < 0.001) while kid mortality rose wi th increase in stocking density (P < 0.01). Weight losses in nursing d oes were higher (P < 0.05) at low than at high stocking density.