Prominent Signs of Oestrusin the West African Dwarf Goat

In order to study the signs of œstrus in the West African Dwarf goat, 28 non pregnant females younger than 24 months of age were used. Most of them (94.7%) had waggled the tail during heat. The frequency of micturition was higher in the presence of the male. The swelling of the vulva was observed in 68.4% of goats in heat. The cervico-vaginal mucus was significantly (P≤0.05) abundant and elastic during œstrus. The duration of œstrus was 1.91± 0.07 day and increased with the female age.Signs of heat were less prominent in younger than in older females. Behavioural changes, vulva appearance and the characteristics of cervico-vaginal mucus can be used as criteria for detection of œstrus inthe West African Dwarf goat.