Farming practices and morphometric characterization of Andaman Local Goat

Andaman Local Goat (ALG) is an indigenous goat breed of Andaman and Nicobar islands. The present study was designed to characterize the ALG for its phenotypic characters, feeding and management system. Study revealed that these goats are medium to short in stature with colour combination of black, brown and white. Ears are flat and leaf-like, medium-sized and drooping. Both sexes have small horns, curved upward and backward. Flock size per family ranges from 5 to 35. Age at first mating, weight at first mating, age at first kidding, weight at first kidding, service period, kidding interval and gestation period were 260.0±15.0 days, 8.49±0.89 kg, 420.0±12.0 days, 13.26±1.61 kg, 101.20±11.23 days, 300.0±20.0 days and 147.0±2.0 days respectively. The common diseases observed were parasitic infestation, diarrhoea, bloat, grass poisoning, orf, and tetanus. The risk of extinction of the breed is increasing in these islands due to decrease in the number of breedable male and reduction in the total population. Efforts for conservation of this indigenous breed should be strengthened to save this breed from extinction.