Reproductive performance and milk production of Damascus goats fed acacia shrubs or berseem clover hay in North Sinai, Egypt.

Thirty-three adult Damascus does (29 +/- 1.1 kg BW) were fed 0.6 kg per head per day of a concentrate diet plus ad libitum rice straw (Oryza sativa, control, R), or green acacia (Acacia saligna, A) or berseem clover hay (Trifolium alexandrinum, B). All treatment groups had free access to underground saline water containing 3600 ppm TDS. The DM intake was lower (p < 0.05) for the R group but did not differ between the other two groups. The DM intake of acacia was 0.64 kg per head per day (1.98% BW) during pregnancy and 0.93 kg per head per day (2.95% BW) during lactation. The drinking water differed (p < 0.05) between the three dietary treatments; group B had the highest mean intake and group A had the lowest. The percentage kidding and the litter weight at birth did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the number of kids weaned/doe kidding and the weight of the kids weaned/doe kidding were significantly higher for group B. The mean body weight of the kids at birth and at weaning were significantly lower for group R. The total milk yield over 10 weeks and the milk composition (total solids, fat and protein percentages) were significantly different between the three groups; group B having the highest means and group R the lowest. These results suggest that supplemental feeding is required to enhance the productivity of goats in arid or semi-arid environments and Acacia saligna should not be used fresh in excessive quantities for extended periods.

Alleviation of the heat load on lactating goats with the use of diuretics and drinking cool water.

The effect was studied of different heat loads connected with the application of diuretics and of 10 to 15 degrees C drinking water on the milk production and some related physiological parameters of 19 Egyptian Baladi goats under experimental conditions. The increase in heat stress increased the respiration rate, rectal temperature, and serum prolactin concentration significantly, while it significantly decreased the milk production, the content of alkaline, and acid phosphatases creatinine, urea, red blood cells, and haemoglobin concentration. The diuretic Thiameterine and cool drinking water under hot conditions improved the milk yield and had a positive effect on the physiological status of the animals, especially their blood composition. The higher mill production by the goats (14.7% in the experiment) is attributed to the increased feed uptake caused by the treatments.