Fleece and skin traits of goats of different genetic types reared in southern Italy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of down fibre production and of the percentage of active hair follicles in several genetic types of Italian goats. The trial was carried out in two regions of southern Italy, Basilicata and Calabria. Two hundred and eighty adult female goats of five different genetic types were used in this study: the Azzara population, the Nicastrese population, the Red Syrian breed, the Garganica breed and the Calabrese population. A significant effect of genetic type was noted on cashmere diameter, standard deviation of cashmere diameter, yield, down length, guard hair length, crimps, secondary and active primary hair f..