Effect of doe milking and supplementation using Dichrostachys cinerea pods on kid and doe performance in grazing goats during the dry season

Abstract

Effects of supplementation and milking of Matebele does four weeks pre-partum to weaning, on milk yield, kid birth weight and growth rate were studied. Forty does were divided into four treatments: supplemented and milked (SM), supplemented and not milked (SNM), not supplemented and milked (NSM); and not supplemented and not milked (NSNM). Supplemented goats were given 200 g/doe/day of Dichrostachys cinerea pods containing 19% CP. The study was carried out in September during time of feed unavailability and animals were grazed on rangelands for seven hours before being given the supplement. Fifty-six kids were born from all the experimental animals and 24 were singles whereas 32 were twins. Milk yield was higher (P < 0.05) in supplemented than non-supplemented does. Although supplementation had no effect on kid birth weights, growth rates were higher (P < 0.05) in the SNM group (103 +/- 10.1 g/day) than in the SM group (74 +/- 10.8 g/day). Among the non-supplemented groups, kids from milked does had higher (P < 0.05) daily gains (85 +/- 10.9 g/day) than those from non-milked does (67 +/- 10.7 g/day). Weaning weights were higher (P < 0.05) in SNM does (12.8 +/- 1.30 g/day) than in the SM does (10.2 +/- 1.17 g/day). Among kids from the non-supplemented does, those from milked does had superior (P < 0.05) weaning weights (11.2 +/- 1.23 g/day) than those from non - milked does (9.2 +/- 1.27 g/day). Mortalities were also lowest in kids born from SNM does. It is concluded that pre-partum to weaning supplementation generally increases milk production which then increases kids growth rates and weaning weights, as well as reduce kid mortalities.

Pre-weaning kid mortality in Adamitulu Jedokombolcha District, Mid Rift Valley, Ethiopia

“…The average kid birth weight (2.04 kg) recorded in this study is lower compared to reports from other parts of Africa (Aganga et al, 2005;Maphosa et al, 2009). This higher birth weight in other studies may be due to breed difference including difference in twining and tripleting.…”

Yield and Milk Composition at Different Stages of Lactation from a Small Herd of Nguni, Boer, and Non-Descript Goats Raised in an Extensive Production System

“…Goats possess the potential to produce milk for rural households when cow milk is limited [3]. In addition, most communal goat farmers may not be able to afford to keep exotic goat breeds for the purpose of milk production because of financial constraints and the expertise to manage them in communal areas [4]. Exotic dairy goat breeds are more expensive and are often susceptible to disease and parasite infestation than indigenous goat breeds that are well-adapted to harsh environmental conditions and are less expensive to maintain [5].…”

Effect of <i>Vachellia erioloba</i> and <i>Dichrostachys cinerea</i> pod supplementation on performance of does and kids of Namibian Caprivi and Ovambo indigenous goats

“…It should also be borne in mind that pod supplements are available locally and pose no special storage requirements for small-scale farmers in remote rural areas. In another study, although doe weights of Matabele goats grazing on natural pasture were similar (P >0.05) to those that were supplemented with D. cinerea, kid weaning weights were higher (P <0.05) in those supplemented with D. cinerea compared with the unsupplemented group (Mlambo et al, 2004;Maphosa et al, 2009).…”

“…Woody plant pods, especially those from Vachellia species and D. cinerea, are valuable because they ripen and drop off well into the dry season (Timberlake et al, 1999). Pods are a good source of crude protein (100-190 g/kg dry matter (DM)) and have been reported to increase the growth of kids and of milk production in goats (Mlambo et al, 2004;Maphosa et al, 2009). Mlambo et al (2004) reported a 60% reduction in urinary nitrogen excretion in goats that was offered untreated D. cinerea fruits.…”