Breed improvement and conservation are optimally achieved when the available genetic resources are characterised and strategies developed to achieve the goals. This study aimed at investigating the management practices, performance and morphological features of the indigenous cattle ecotypes in Rwanda on 250 cattle farming households. A total of 20 measurements taken on 305 female and 45 male cattle were: body length (BL), height at withers (HW), leg height (LH), heart girth (HG), body weight (BW), tail length (TL), dewlap length (DL), dewlap width (DW), rump width (RW), ear length (EL), muzzle circumference (MC), horn length (HL), distance between horns (HS), hump length (HuL), hump width (HuW), navel depth (ND), udder length (UL), udder depth (UD), teat length (TL), and body condition score (BCS). Morphometric data was analysed by ecotype for each sex and age category since there were non-significant differences in geographical location. Results show that Rwanda has five types of indigenous cattle namely: Inyambo, Inkuku, Inkoromaijo, Inkungu and Bashi. The livestock system mostly used was extensive and household income was mainly from livestock. For Inyambo cattle, the popular ecotype, age at sexual maturity was 27.44±1.04 months for males and 28.76±1.02 months for female cows. Age at first calving was 33.8±0.83 months whereas calving interval was 13.60±0.45 months. Lactation length was found to be 6.84±0.29 months. The mean daily milk was 3.58±0.19 litres and the pre weaning calf survivability was 90±6.5%. Positive and high correlations were observed between BW, HG, HW, HuL, BL and HL. Indigenous cattle population of Rwanda are not homogenous by their morphological features and other productive traits, and therefore conservation will have to target the different ecotypes and this should be done with direct engagement of their keepers.
The success or failure of artificial insemination starts with the quality status of semen used, hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of breed, season and year on bovine semen quality of the National Bull Stud of Rwanda kept at Masaka bull station, Rwanda. A total of 1475 semen samples were collected bi-weekly from nine bulls of Holstein Friesian (n = 3), Inyambo (n = 3) and Jersey (n = 3) breed using an artificial vagina. Semen volume, colour, concentration, mass motility, live sperm percentage and post-freeze motility were evaluated. Libido of the bulls at the time of semen collection was scored. Ejaculate volume, mass motility, individual motility, density and post freeze motility significantly differed (p < 0.05) among seasons of the year, bull breeds and age/year of collection. Friesian bulls had superior (p < 0.05) semen volume (5.76±0.08 ml) to that of Jersey (4.29±0.09 ml) and Inyambo (3.37±0.1 ml). However, Friesians had an inferior (p < 0.05) lighter coloured semen, with only 52.7% of Friesian samples having the preferred cream colour, as compared to 65.2% of Jersey and 64.9% of the Inyambo semen samples. Year of collection (2011 or 2012) and in essence age of the bull negatively affected (p < 0.05) all the parameters studied, with semen volume dropping from 5.16 to 5.10 ml, colour lightened from 62.8 to 54% of the samples being cream; mass motility fell from 2.98 to 2.65, while live sperm percentage in ejaculates dropped from 65 to 63%. Of the eight parameters studied, only post-freeze motility was not affected by passage of time. Semen collected during the October to December period had the best quality characteristics, though collections in the long rains (March to May) had comparable mass motility and post-freeze motility. Semen volume (4.61 ml per bull ejaculate) and post-freeze motility (39%) were poorest in the long dry season (January to February). In conclusion, the Friesian breed should be promoted at the bull station. Most semen should be collected during the rain season, particularly the short rains (October to November). Bulls below three years of age should be of focus.
This study aimed at characterizing phenotypes, production systems and the reproductive performance of indigenous chickens in Rwanda. Indigenous chickens (n=529) from 265 chicken rearing households drawn from all the five provinces of Rwanda were used in this study and analysis was performed using Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS, version 9.2) software. Four comb types were observed, with strawberry (51%) being most dominant, as was whiteness of ear lobes (57%). Rounded ear lobe shape (92%) and curved beaks (99.6%) were both almost universal. Beak colour varied between green, black, yellow and brown with the latter most prevalent (51%). Evenly distributed feathers were most common (99.8%) whereas naked-neck phenotype was rare (0.2%). Almost all chickens had brown eyes, and thick skins (88.4%) that were yellow-coloured (69%). Most chickens (39%) had yellow coloured shanks. Significant variations were observed in age at sexual maturity for both male and female chickens across provinces (p>0.05). The biggest egg clutches were from the western province (14.7 eggs) while the smallest was 6.6 eggs in the southern. Egg hatchability was highest (85%) in the western province and lowest (52%) in the eastern province.We conclude that the Rwanda indigenous chickens might have useful genetic potential, and planning for proper and sustainable utilization of this indigenous chicken genetic resource is the best way forward.
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