Abstract
This research aims to assess the performances of lactating Bedouin goat under arid conditions, focusing on the relationship of milk yield with body and udder morphology and growth traits. Fourteen goats and their kids were followed during early lactation (90 days post-partum). Mean daily milk yield was 0.56 kg. Milk fat, proteins, lactose, solids non-fat and minerals were respectively 34.9, 38.9, 48.8, 107 and 6.7 g L-1. Mean kids’ birth weight, adjusted body weight at 90 days of age and average daily gain were respectively 2 kg, 6.6 kg and 51.4 g day-1. Daily milk yield was correlated with goats’ body weight, withers height, rump height, udder width and udder circumference but not with linear udder score and growth performances. These results provide important data about the milk production of Bedouin goat emphasizing its correlation with body and udder morphological traits which can help to elaborate a specific breeding program for this breed.
Highlights
In the Sahara Desert, where the water and food resources are limited, Bedouin goat contributes strongly to the survival of sedentary and nomadic populations, by the consumption of its meat and milk known by its nutritional quality and therapeutic properties.This breed exhibits an excellent adaptation to arid environment
Bedouin goat has higher concentration of caprine PregnancyAssociated Glycoproteins, reflecting a strategy of adaptation for maintaining a pregnancy under arid conditions (Charallah, Amirat, Sulon, Khammar, & Beckers, 2009), and after kidding, it ensures the survival of its offspring by maintaining its milk production in such environment
Milk production increased from the 1st to the 6th week post-partum, which corresponds to the peak of lactation (0.71 ± 0.09 kg), and it decreased significantly (0.31 ± 0.07 kg) until the 13th week (p < 0.01)
Summary
In the Sahara Desert, where the water and food resources are limited, Bedouin goat contributes strongly to the survival of sedentary and nomadic populations, by the consumption of its meat and milk known by its nutritional quality and therapeutic properties. This breed exhibits an excellent adaptation to arid environment. Bedouin goat has low metabolic requirements and can reduce its energetic metabolism and digest low quality diet during food restriction periods (Silanikove, Tagari, & Shkolnik, 1993). The performances of lactating Bedouin goat have not yet been fully studied, body and udder morphological traits, which are important determinants of milk yield (Akpa et al, 2002; Akporhuarho, Orheruata, Otoikhian, & Igene, 2010; Peris, Caja, & Such, 1999), considered as a main factor affecting kids’ growth performances
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