THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF N’DAMA AND MUTURU CATTLE IN NIGERIA. 1. OESTROUS CYCLE LENGTH, DURATION OF OESTRUS AND OESTROUS BEHAVIOR PATTERNS

Twelve primiparous cycling N’dama and Muturu cows comprising 8 Ndama and 4 Muturu Cows, were subjected to three hour continuous observations twice daily at 0630 – 0930hrs and 1500 -1800 hrs for a period of 9 months during which oestrous behavior and oestrous cycle characteristics of the cows were monitored. Results indicated that oestrous cycle length in the two breeds averaged 20.09±0.56 day and 20.56±0.87 day for N’dama and Muturu cows, respectively. Durations of standing oestrus were 12.55±2.93hr in the N’dama and 11.31±4.29hr in the Muturu. There were no significant breed effects (P >0.05) on these parameters. Mounting activities in the herd were signification higher (P < 0.05) in the morning hours than in the evening hours. The practical implication of these result in relation to controlled animal breeding were discussed.