Variation in response of Mubende, Boer and Boer x Mubende goat breeds to gastrointestinal nematode infection under field conditions in Uganda

Abstract

More productive exotic Boer goats are increasing replacing indigenous Mubende goats in Uganda in a crossbreeding program, yet Boer goats easily succumb to gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection to which indigenous Mubende goats are more tolerant. Hence, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Ssembabule, Mpigi, Masaka and Mubende districts in Uganda to understand whether variation in susceptibility to GIN infection exists among Mubende, Boer and Boer x Mubende goats under field conditions. A total of 2423 goats, consisting of Mubende (n =1,667), Boer (n = 87) and Boer x Mubende (n = 669) goats were randomly sampled. Faecal Egg Count (FEC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were determined and data on factors: gender, age, location, flock size and management were collected. The findings revealed that age and location had significant (P