Influence of levels of supplementary concentrate mixture on lactation performance of Red Sokoto does and the pre-weaning growth rate of their kids.

Twenty pregnant Red Sokoto goats (liveweight, 28 ± 1.30 kg) were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of varying levels of concentrate on lactation performance. The concentrate, which contained 4% palm oil, was fed at levels of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5% of body weight of the does in addition to a basal diet of Digitaria smutsii hay offered ad libitum. The corresponding dietary treatments were designated as 1.0%C, 1.5%C, 2.0%C and 2.5%C, respectively. The goats were balanced for parity and randomly allocated to give five animals per treatment, and stall-fed individually. The intake of dry matter and daily milk production linearly and quadratically increased (P<0.05) to the levels of concentrate supplementation. Increase in level of concentrate mixture supplementation affected (P<0.05) milk fat content and milk fat yield, but not other milk constituents. Persistency of milk production was numerically higher at higher levels of concentrate supplementation. Whereas 1.0%C, 1.5%C and 2.0%C could not prevent weight loss in the does, the 2.5%C significantly (P<0.05) promoted average daily gain (11.11 g/head/day) during lactation. The dam milk yield significantly (P<0.01) accounted for 61% of variation in kids pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG). It is concluded that concentrate mixture containing 4% palm oil can be fed at 2.5% of body weight without adverse effect on total dry matter intake, while enhancing postpartum weight gains, higher milk yield, persistency of milk production, pre-weaning growth of kids in Red Sokoto goats.

Growth rates and milk production potential of Sahelian and Red Sokoto breeds of goats in northern Guinea Savannah.

The milk production potentials and growth rates of Red Sokoto and Sahelian goats fed basal diets of maize stover and Digitaria smutsii (wolly finger grass) supplemented with concentrate was investigated in two separate trials. In experiment 1, ten multi-parous does were allocated to intensive management following kidding. Does were hand-milked twice weekly and the milk production recorded. Body weight changes of dam and kid, milk fat, milk solid were determined weekly over 12 weeks period. The average birth weight of the Sahelian (2.2+/-0.23 kg) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the Red Sokoto kids (1.0+/-0.17). At weaning age, the average kid weight of the Sahelian (5.6+/-0.42 kg) was significantly higher than the Red Sokoto (3.9+/-0.44 kg). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in daily milk yield and total lactation between the two breeds. The total solids and milk fat of 16.4+/-0.39 and 3.7+/-0.13% were significantly (p<0.05) higher for the Red Sokoto than the Sahelian (15.1+/-0.39 and 3.2+/-0.13%). The second trial was to evaluate the comparative growth of the Sahelian and Red Sokoto breeds of goats. Animals were group-fed based on sex and fed Digitaria smutsii hay supplemented with concentrate. The growth trial lasted for 150 days with a 14 day digestibility trial. The Average Daily Gain (ADG) were significantly (p<0.05) different for breed, as well as sex. The Red Sokoto (66.9+/-1.59) kids had higher ADG than the Sahelian (46.6+/-1.59). Similarly the males of the Red Sokoto (61.9+/-1.59) had higher ADG than the Sahelian males (46.7+/-0.59) and the females of both breed. The experiments demonstrated a linear increase in weight gains of Red Sokoto over the Sahelian and a slightly higher milk yield obtained from the Sahelian providing the basis to conclude that the Sahelian goat can adapted and fit into the production systems of Sudan Savannah rural farmers.

The effects of feed restriction and realimentation on the growth and reproductive function of Bokoloji bulls.

A group of Bokoloji bulls (n=36), consisting of 18 young bulls (12 to 18 mo old) and 18 old bulls (24 to 30 mo old) were used to study the effects of feed restriction and realimentation on reproductive function. The bulls were placed either on a low (L). medium (M) or high (H) plane of nutrition during the 3 treatment periods. At the low and medium feeding levels, the animals received approximately 25 and 45%, respectively, of the intake of the bulls on the high plane diet. All the bulls were fed a low (L) plane of nutrition for 90 d in the first treatment period. The 3 treatments were designated as LL, LM and LH for the mid-period, and as LLH, LMH and LHH for the final period, according to the prescribed level of feeding. Body measurements and scrotal circumference were taken for all bulls before slaughter. A total of 18 bulls was slaughtered at the end of the mid-period, while the remaining 18 bulls were slaughtered at the end of the final period. Testicular weights as well as gonadal and epididymal sperm reserves were determined. At the end of the mid period, the bulls on a high plane of nutrition had significantly (P<0.05) higher live weights and chest girths than bulls on the medium and low planes of nutrition. Gonadal sperm/spermatid reserves of 5.2 x 10(9) and epididymal sperm reserves of 2.4 x 10(9) in bulls on the high plane of nutrition were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the sperm reserves for the bulls on either the low or the medium plane of nutrition. At the end of the final period, ho significant differences existed among the LHH, LMH and LLH treatments in liveweight, chest girth, scrotal circumference and sperm reserves (P>0.05). It is concluded that bulls which have undergone feed restriction for 90 d are capable of regaining their body growth and reproductive function if such bulls are placed on an adequate plane of nutrition.