EFFECT OF LACTATION WEEK AND MILKING TIME ON WEIGHT AND MILK YIELD OF SAHELIAN GOATS IN KANO STATE

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of lactation week and time on weight and milk yield of Sahelian kid and does, respectively. The research was conducted at the Center for Dryland Agriculture Research Farm, Bayero University, Kano. Four lactating Sahelian does of an average age of 2 years were sampled from the goat herd. Milk collection started seven days post kidding until ten weeks of lactation. Milk samples were measured using a 100 ml measuring cylinder immediately after collection. The weights of the kids were measured weekly with weighing balance in grams. The result shows significant (P<0.05) effect of time on the kid weight of Sahel. Highest weights were obtained in the morning (4.61 kg) than in the evening (4.32 kg).
Result also revealed highly significant (P<0.05) effect of time on milk yield of Sahelian does. Milk yield was higher in the morning (115.18 ml ± 8.24) than in the evening (68.03 ml ± 8.90). Lactation week significantly (P<0.05) affects kid weight. The kid weights increased throughout the lactation weeks. Mean values of Sahelian kid weight in week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 were 1.28, 3.13, 4.14, 4.50, 4.68, 5.08, 5.27, 5.37, 5.52 and 5.72 kg respectively. Optimum milk yield of the Sahelian does was reached at the third and fourth weeks of lactation.