MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF DONKEYS IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF BAUCHI STATE

The study was conducted to examine morphometric and genetic characterization of donkeys (Equus asinus) in Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 498 donkeys were randomly sampled from five Local Government Areas in the State. Structured questionnaires were distributed to the owners to obtain information on location, gender, donkey types, specie and morphometric characteristics. Eleven morphometric parameters were analyzed; heart girth (HG), height at withers (HW), height at back (HB), height at croup (HC), body length (BL), cannon length front (LCF), cannon length hind (LCH), cannon circumference front (CCF), cannon circumference hind (CCH), Body weight (BW). The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistic and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Result revealed that donkeys in the study area were categorized into eight different types based on colour pattern with Adabari (53.20 %) being the dominant, where high number was found in Gamawa (15.1 %) while Soro (6.0 %) had low of Adabari. Based on gender, males were 51.8 % while females 48.2 %, respectively. Danda donkeys was lower (0.8 %) in terms of population. Parameters observed in Adabari, Aura and others were age, HG, HW, HB, HC and BW were significantly (P < 0.05) higher. In conclusion, Addabari donkeys were found dominant in the study area while Danda is a rare type (0.8 %). The data for morphological features analyzed in this study can be regarded as a preliminary that was useful for genetic enhancement and would stimulate further studies on donkey species in the region.