PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF LOCAL GOATS POPULATIONS IN WESTERN ALGERIAN: MORPHOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND MILK QUALITY

Abstract

The objective of this study is the phenotypic characterization and physic-chemical analysis of the milk of the goat population in the Wilaya of Tlemcen, in view of a contribution to a better understanding of goat genetic resources remains hitherto little studied; bodily measurements were performed at 59 individuals.This study examined 20 variables including 17 quantitative variables and 03 qualitative variables, the data were submitted to a PCA (principal component analysis), a centroid of classes, correlation coefficient and follows a hierarchical clustering (CAH).The results showed highly correlated variables (HG, HS = 0.742) (HS, HD = 0.826) and they divide the local goat population in the Tlemcen region into three classes according to the morphology of individuals, there are tall dwarf goats and other, with a mid-sized class.Regarding the quality of the milk from our goats, physicochemical analyzes show that milk is rich in fat and protein with 3.5% and 4.5% levels respectively. These characteristics provide superior quality and very comparable to the milk of goat breeds known for their cheese abilities.