Dairy and Weight Performances of Burkinabe Sahelian Goats Fed a Diet Supplemented with Local Feed Resources

Abstract

In dairy production, in addition to the indispensable contribution of nitrogenous and energetic nutrients, it is essential that animal needs in some minerals be covered. To investigate this proposition, 32 Burkinabe Sahelian does in third lactation, aged 4 to 4 and half years, were divided into four groups in order to evaluate the effect of four isonitrogenous supplementation diets, formulated by using local millet bran and cowpea hay, and differing from one another by the values of the ratios (i) digestible crude proteins/feed unit (122, 122, 133 and 153 for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively) and (ii) concentrate/fodder (1.27, 1.27, 0.5 and 0 for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Group 1, compared to group 2, received in addition to an isonitrogenous supplementation, ad libitum mineral supplementation. Milk yields, and weight performances of does and their kids were monitored for 13 to 14 weeks. The larger addition of concentrate (local bran) did not significantly affect goat milk production. However, it was noted that the concentrate globally helped increase by 11% total daily production (milk collected + milk consumed by the kids). It increased by over 40% when the quantity of milk collected was considered. The milk yields of goats that received mineral supplements (group 1) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher, with on average 358 ± 62 g vs 267 ± 70, 215 ± 32 and 197 ± 76 g per animal and per day of collected milk for groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The milk composition in dry matter, fat, proteins and minerals was not significantly affected in the supplemented diets. However, the milk collected from groups 2, 3 and 4 had relatively higher fat and protein contents. The milk from group 1 was significantly more concentrated in lactose: 4.35% vs 3.9, 3.8 and 3.6% for groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Does’ daily weight gains (DWGs) were + 7.6 ± 15.9, – 18.3 ± 3.3, – 26.3 ± 31.1 and – 23.7 ± 16.2 g for groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Kids’ DWGs were 50.7 ± 17.3, 46.5 ± 22.5, 39.1 ± 16.6 and 36.8 ± 14.2 g for those belonging to groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The estimated consumption index values were 11.1 ± 3.9, 11.6 ± 1.7, 13.2 ± 2.0 and 13.9 ± 2.2 for kids in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. This study showed that with the correct combination of local feed resources, it is possible to improve markedly the milk production of Sahelian goats, and to improve it significantly when it is associated with mineral supplementation.