Exterior characteristics of Kejobong goats kept by farmers

Abstract

Indonesia has various animals owning characteristic genetic properties and germ plasm. Kejobong goats is one of germ plasm owned by Indonesia, however their characteristic and productivity has not been explored, therefore, this research was conducted to identify farmers background and exterior characteristic of Kejobong goats kept by farmers at Kedarpan village, Kejobong, Banjarnegara. The materials were 45 Kejobong goats’ farmers and 185 head of male and female Kejobong goats at various ages, starting from one month old up to more than three years old. Structured questionnaire were used to interview farmers background. The data consisted of farmers’ background and exterior characteristics of Kejobong goats, it was heart girth, body length, shoulder height and ear length. The data was tabulated and analyzed using one way analysis of variance. Results indicated that Kejobong goats were kept by old farmers (48.3 years old) with low educational background (76.2% were basic school) and less involvement of family members on keeping goats (1.8 head per family). On average, the numbers of goats kept by farmers was 4.1 head (2-8 head) with the main objective was saving (85.7%) and goats were kept for breeding purposes (90.5%). The exterior characterstics of Kejobong goats indicated that young female goats (1 to 12 months old) have better characteristics than male goats, while adult (more than one year olds) male goats have better charactersitics than female. Heart girth, body length, shoulder height and ear length of 1-3 months old of female goats were 43.2; 38.8; 42.2 and 17.8 cm, respectively, while for male goats were 43.2; 37.2; 41.8 and 16.8 cm. Exterior  characteristics of female  Kejobong goats under one year old were 68.6; 54.8; 62.7 and 18.5 cm for  heart  girth,  body  length,  shoulder  height  and  ear  length,  respectively,  while  for  male  goats were 68.3; 57.0; 62.0 and 19.5 cm. Heart girth, body length, shoulder height and ear length of 36 months old of female goats were 75.5; 61.0; 67.2 and 22.0 cm, while for male goats were 72.0;61.5;  68.0  and  23.0  cm,  respectively.  It  is  concluded  that  Kejobong  goats  were  kept  by  old farmers  with  low  educational  background,  small  numbers  owned  and traditional  management. Young female Kejobong goats have better exterior characteristics than those of male, in contrast with the adult.