Production and composition of the milk of local Burndi goat and growth of milk-reared kids

Abstract

The production and composition of milk from 31 local Burundi goats were studied during the first 84 days of lactation. At the same time, the growth of 44 new born kids was studied. The low milk production of the local goat (440 g/day) is nevertheless highly variable from one individual to another (167 to 881 g/day). Milk production culminates between the 2nd and 3rd week of lactation and then decreases slowly. It increases with the number of young suckling and the weight of the mother (p < 0.05) but not with parity. The milk of the Burundi goat is poorer in nutritive elements than that of other tropical breeds, particularly in terms of fat matter ( (3,1 g %) and lactose (2,8 ± 1,67 g %). The weights of the kids at birth (1,54 ± 0,29 kg) and at 28 days (3,05 ± 0,70 kg) are low compared with those of other tropical goat breeds. However, the kids show greater nutritional efficiency during the first month after birth (6.04). Their poor performance in terms of weight may therefore be due to the mothers’ low level of milk production and/or the energy deficiency of the milk. Genetic improvement of production is possible.