Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances

Year: 2005
Volume: 4
Issue: 12
Page No. 991 - 999

Milk Yield and Composition of West African Dwarf (WAD) Does Fed Pigeon Pea-cassava Peel Based Diets

Authors : F.O. Ahamefule and J.A. Ibeawuchi

Abstract: Twelve lactating West African Dwarf does in early lactation and between 1-3 parity were randomly divided into 4 groups of 3 animals each and housed individually in cement floored pens. The animals selected from the University flock were randomly assigned to 4 experimental diets in a completely randomized design. The diets A, B, C and D were formulated from cassava peel and other feedstuffs and contained 0, 10, 20 and 30% pigeon pea seed meal (PSM) respectively. Each animal received 0.5 kg of the assigned diet for 14 weeks pre and post colostrum period. Drinking water was liberally provided during the period. Daily milk yield was measured and bulked weekly for each animal. Lactose in milk was determined immediately after each day`s collection while Total Solids (TS), Butter Fat (BF), Crude Protein (CP), Solids- Not-Fat (SNF), ash and energy contents of milk were determined weekly. Simple linear regression was used to ascertain the degree of relationship between milk yield and constituents and between various milk constituents. Results showed that milk yield, TS, BF, CP, SNF, ash and energy compositions of milk were influenced (p<0.05) by dietary treatments. Diet B (10% PSM) promoted the greatest yield (2.33 kg) and the highest concentrations of SNF (9.29%) and energy (2.16MJ kg 1) in milk while the highest TS (15.39%), BF (5.77%), CP (4.52%) and ash (0.93%) values were influenced by diet D (30% PSM). Weekly yield, CP, TS and energy constituents of milk differed significantly (p<0.05) among treatment groups. The highest values were obtained for yield in the 4th (2.23 kg), CP and TS in the 10th (4.69; 15.41%) and energy in the 1st (2.08 MJ kg 1) weeks, respectively. Milk yield was negatively correlated (p<0.05) with TS (r = -0.52), BF (r = -0.69) and CP (r = -0.30) and positively (p<0.05) with SNF (r = 0.05), lactose (r = 0.27) and energy (r = 0.33). Significant (p<0.05) positive correlations existed between BF and TS (r = 0.84), CP and TS (r = 0.61), TS (r = 0.40), CP and SNF (r = 0.32), lactose and SNF (r = 0.31) and BF and CP (r = 0.42).

How to cite this article:

Ahamefule, F.O. and J.A. Ibeawuchi , 2005. Milk Yield and Composition of West African Dwarf (WAD) Does Fed Pigeon Pea-cassava Peel Based Diets. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 991-999.

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