Influence of season of birth and parity order of lactating Desert goat during dry period

Abstract

The effect of season of birth and parity order on growth, body weight change, litter size and milk yield and composition of Sudanese desert goats has been studied. The experiment was conducted with Desert goats in EL Obied locality, Northern Kordofan state. Twenty eight (28) adult doe's of Desert goats were used in experiment. The does were divided into two groups, G1 and G2, with 15 and 13 dams, respectively according to parity number for 2nd and 3rd parities respectively. All does in all groups were subjected to natural grazing. The results indicated that the effect of season of birth on body weight before kidding, at kidding, weaning and body weight change were not significant, where high weight secured by does kidded during rainy season as compared with does kidded in dry season. High lost in weight seen in does kidding during dry season as 7.90%. Also the results revealed that parity order significantly (P