SOME FACTORS AFFECTING MILK YIELD OF SAHEL GOATS IN SEMI-ARID ZONE OF BORNO STATE

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess some factors affecting milk yield of Sahel goats raised under semi- intensive management system in the semi arid condition of Borno State. Milk was collected from (201) lactating Sahel goats by hand and the data were subjected to analysis of variance (Anova). The effects of season, year and stage of lactation on average daily milk yield were determined. The result showed an overall mean of 161.40±7.04g of Average Daily Milk Yield (ADY). Seasons were found to be significant on ADY (p<0.05) where the highest yield was obtained in the dry cold (188.37±19.62g) and the lowest (145.08±22.17g) in the dry hot season. Year also had a significant influence on ADY (p<0.05) where the highest was in 1990 (193.43±23.20g) than in 1991(155.78±7.15g). Week of lactation had a significant influence on ADY (p<0.05) highest peak was reached (212.44±32.36g) in the second week of lactation and declined thereafter. There is a need to exploit Sahel goat milk potential in the tropics. It can be deduced that goats kept for milk should be raised under appropriate management system.