Milk production, reproductive and growth performances of Damascus goats under northern Cyprus conditions

This experiment was carried out at the Ercan State Farm in northern Cyprus, near Nicosia. This research was focused on the evaluation of milk production, reproduction and growth performances of Damascus goats with the aim of examining methods to improve the milking ability of does nursing kids. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the Damascus goat for milk yield, reproduction and growth performance in the region. According to the data observed, birth rates (based on the number of does bred) for 2001 and 2002 were 70.2 and 80.5%, litter size (based on the number of kids born to the number of does giving birth) for 2001 and 2002 were 1.62 and 1.56, kidding percentage (based on the number of kids born per 100 does brought to the buck) were 114.3 and 125.9%, respectively. Average daily milk yield, lactation milk yield and lactation length of Damascus does were 1.900 ± 0.042, 489.4 ± 12.784 kg and 254.7 ± 2.359 days, respectively. Average 73.4 ± 3.5 kg extra marketable milk was obtained by using our recommended system (30 days suckling + 30 days milking and residual suckling). By this way, milk yield increased 39% in the first 90 days (259.0 kg) and it means 16% on the whole lactation period. Average daily weight gain of kids was determined as 174.1 ± 4.4 g for our recommended system (30 days suckling + 30 days milking and residual suckling). © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

An alternative feeding system for dairy goats: Effects of free-choice feeding on milk yield and milk composition of lactating suckling Damascus goats

The present study was carried out to compare feeding methods in respect to milk yield and milk composition and to assess dietary preferences of lactating suckling Damascus goats receiving feed ingredients as multiple choices under confinement conditions in Northern Cyprus. A total of 36 Damascus goats was allocated to 4 experimental groups with three replicates comprising three goats each for a total period of 7 weeks. The treatment groups were 1. 0.5 kg concentrate and ad libitum lucerne hay, 2. 1.0 kg concentrate and ad libitum lucerne hay, 3. ad libitum total mixed ration (TMR) containing 40% lucerne hay and 60% concentrate, 4. free choice feeding among the main feed ingredients of the concentrate (barley, soyabean meal, wheat bran) and lucerne hay. The results showed that milk yield, concentrate intake, hay intake, total feed intake, crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) intakes and liveweight change were affected (P0.05) effects on fat, protein or dry matter contents of milk. However, lactose and non-fat-solids content were affected significantly (P<0.05) by feeding methods, as lactose and non-fat-solids content of the groups increased according to their concentrate intakes. It can be concluded that TMR has satisfactory results in respect to lactational performance of suckling goats and that goats can select a diet corresponding to their nutrient requirements when they are given a choice among different feed ingredients. It is also concluded that free-choice feeding may have the potential to improve production performance of Damascus goats in early lactation