EXTERIOR AND CONSTITUTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF KYRGYZ WOOL GOATS

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the exterior and constitutional characteristics of modern-type Kyrgyz wool goats. The aim of the study was to assess the main exterior measurements and compare them with the corresponding indicators of local Kyrgyz, Angora, and standard-type Kyrgyz wool goats. The study included the following main exterior measurements: height at withers and rump, oblique body length, chest depth and width, width at the hooks, heart girth behind the shoulder blades, and cannon circumference. The results showed that local Kyrgyz goats were characterized by relatively larger body dimensions, whereas Angora goats had comparatively smaller body dimensions, while Kyrgyz wool goats occupied an intermediate position for most of the studied traits. Modern Kyrgyz wool goats demonstrated a downward trend in the main exterior measurements compared with the standard values. The most pronounced differences were observed in chest width and width at the hooks, particularly in one-year-old young animals. The differences identified in the main exterior measurements were highly statistically significant (P<0.001). This trend may be associated with a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including changes in feeding and management conditions, a reduction in the breeding population, weakening of breeding and selection practices, and insufficient renewal of the genetic pool. The findings are of practical importance for assessing the current status of Kyrgyz wool goats and improving the selection of animals based on exterior characteristics, constitutional strength, and productive traits.