Abstract

In an effort to further augment available literatures on correlated analysis of morphometric traits, a study was carried out using equal number from different breeds across age groups to evaluate the effect of age on correlated analysis of body morphometric traits in some Nigerian goats. Equal numbers of breed (Red Sokoto, Sahel and WAD), sex (Male and Female) and Age (<1year old, 1-2 years old and 2-3 years old) from Sokoto, Borno and Ogun state were sampled. A total of 900 goats were used for the study. Morphometric measures studied were BW: Body weight; HL: Horn Length; EL: Ear Length; SW: Shoulder width; NC: Neck circumference; BL: Body Length; WH: Wither Height; HG: Heart Girth; PG: Pouch Girth and TL: Tail Length respectively. Obtained data were subjected to correlation analysis based on age within breeds. Correlated relationships among morphometric measurements also varied with age in the general population and within breeds, but coefficients were generally low to moderate (-0.01 –0.58) with the exception of the relationship between HG and PG which were generally high (0.77-0.99). BW was both positively and negatively correlated with other measurements due to the effect of age. Keywords: Age, correlation, Morphometric traits, goats.