Abstract:

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the correlation between litter size and parity of Huanghuai goat. [Method] The lambing record data of a total of 71 female Huanghuai goats with parities ranging from 1 to 5 were statistically analyzed. The goats with average litter size per parity and maximum litter size per parity less than or equal to 2 were categorized in low yield group （n=37）, and those with average litter size per parity more than 2 were categorized in high yield group （n=34）. The correlation between litter size and parity was evaluated. [Result] The average litter size per parity of Huanghuai goats was 2.56, and that of high yield group and low yield group was 3.66 and 1.66, respectively. In general, the average litter size per parity of the entire female goat population and the high yield group increased initially before declining as parity increased, peaking between the third and fourth parity. The regression equations of litter size and parity for the entire female goat population and the high yield group were Y₁ = 0.753X-0.096X²+1.394 and Y₂= 1.497X-0.196X²+1.400, respectively. [Conclusion] The high yield group of female Huanghuai goats demonstrated good reproductive performance in the first or second parities. The change of litter size of the entire female goat population and the high yield group presented an inverted U shape with the increase of parity, while litter size of the low yield group was less affected by parity.

Key words: Huanghuai goat, litter size, parity, correlation analysis