Relationships among udder characteristics, milk yield and, non-yield traits in Frizarta dairy sheep

The Effect of Fiber -Protein Levels on Milk Parameters, Linear Body Measurements and Udder Dimensions of West African Dwarf Sheep at First Lambing

“…The average protein content is slightly lower than 5.8 g/l obtained by Sakult and Boylan, [12] in temperate and 5.52%, 6.07%, and 5.43% reported in tropical breeds of sheep [3,13]. Body weight, all the body traits and composition observed in this study were higher than values obtained by Kominakis et al [2] except for protein content. Generally, the milk composition is comparable to that obtained in the temperate breeds.…”

“…However another study working with Yankasa, Yankasa x WAD crosses and Frizarta dairy sheep, reported a higher weight and wither height [2,8] than in the current study. Variations with other studies might be contributed by genetics, climatic conditions and management practices.…”

“…The significantly higher wither height in ewes on HFLP diet implies that lactating ewes on this diet are generally taller, hence they cannot be used as meat animal. Generally, the mean body length, heart girth, udder circumference, udder width, teat length, teat circumference, distance between teat and distance of teat from ground were lower than that reported elsewhere [2,8,[20][21][22].…”

“…While there have been some reports on the effect of nutrition on milk, body and udder parameters in temperate breeds of sheep [1,2], not much has been done to estimate the effect of nutrition on milk, body and udder parameter of Nigerian sheep and the performance of their lambs. There is a growing awareness of the need to provide more information on the Nigerian sheep in general and the West African Dwarf sheep in particular as sources of meat and milk.…”

The Course of Machine Milking in Small Ruminants

“…According to those authors udder morphology traits showed positive correlations with milk yield. Another study also showed a moderate association between the udder measurements and milk production in Frizarta dairy sheep (Kominakis et al, 2009). In ewes of that breed the most important without space; predicors for milk yield include udder circumference, udder width, udder height and teat length.…”