1Department of Animal Science, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India
2Department of Agricultural Statistics, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, India
Data on some linear traits along with age, body weight (BW) at breeding, parity and previous litter size (LZ) of 240 pregnant Black Bengal goats were analysed using one-way Analysis of Variance, F-test, T-test, Chi-square test, DMRT & stepwise discriminant function analysis using SPSS. Based on stepwise discriminant function to find out month wise phenotypic descriptors, seven linear traits {Punch Girth (PG), Body Length (BL), Head-Rump Length (HRL), Curved Head-Rump Length (HRCL), Heart Girth (HG), Wither Height (WH) and BW} were identified to be significant in discriminating the foetal numbers between groups. Out of these, PG measurement might be considered as one of the best indicator for higher LZ during the first, third, fourth, fifth month of pregnancy and after kidding. BW emerged as the second-best indicator for higherLZ during third, fourth, fifth month of pregnancy and after kidding.
• Higher litter sizes vary on their phenotypic appearance.
• Various morphometric traits may be considered as good predictor.
Black Bengal Goat, Prolificacy, Reproductive Parameters, Phenotypic Traits
