Production system and demographic status of chegu goats in their breeding tract in Himachal Pradesh

The study carried on the population status, geographical distribution and the prevalent goat production system in the native tract of the Chegu breed of Indian Pashmina goats in Himachal Pradesh revealed that these goats are reared in small-sized flocks mainly under small holder's production system. The mean flock size ranged from 4.83 to 6.81 across the districts (mean 5.93±0.17) comprising of entire bucks (0.36− 1.45), castrated males (0.99− 1.85), breedable does (2.34− 3.50) and young stock/kids (0.87− 1.18) per) household. The small sized flocks dominated the entire production system with flocks of up to 5 animals contributing approximately 60% of the total flocks and the flocks 6 – 10 animals contributing another 30% of the total flocks. Larger flocks (having more than 10 animals) were few constituting only 10% of the total breed population. The breed, over the years, has shown declining population trend in its breeding tract. The current breed population, approximately 6800 is distributed in three districts of the state over the true breeding tract across the entire Spiti region (3000 animals) and pockets in Todd and Miar valley areas of Lahaul (400 animals) in Lahaul and Spiti district, Hangrang valley area of Pooh sub-division (900 animals), Kinnaur district and high altitude areas of Udeen and Sural in Pangi sub-division (2500 animals) and Chamba district. The studies on the production system practiced by the traditional farmers further showed that these goats are reared under extensive production system as stationary flocks ostensibly on extended grazing (av. grazing duration 9.84±0.05 hrs) over long distances (av. 5.30 km/day) on common village grazing lands and arid pastures with scanty vegetation. Nighttime shelter in closed houses was provided by most breeders (93.85%), which is usually in the basement as part of human habitation (74.4%).