Milk Yield and Composition of Chios and Farafra Sheep Under Subtropical Egyptian Conditions

Abstract

Breed differences were significant (P 0.01) in TMY and LL. Ewes rearing twin lambs produced significantly (P< 0.01) more milk than those rearing single lambs. Ewes lambing in the spring had greater milk yield compared to ewes lambing in summer and autumn. Ewes  4-5 years of age showed relatively higher milk yield than younger or older ones. Fat% of 36 ewes (18 Farafra and 18 Chios) averaged 6.17 for Chios which was significantly (P 0.01) higher than 5.59% for Farafra. Also, Chios had slightly higher TS% than Farafra (16.04% vs. 15.59%), respectively. Protein content for Chios and Farafra milk differed significantly (P 0.01) and averaged 5.62% and 5.31%, respectively. Chios ewes had higher milk energy (4.59 MJ/kg) than Farafra (4.34 MJ/kg). The autumn lambing ewes had a significantly higher fat%, TS% and milk energy (MJ/kg) than either summer or spring lambing season.