Early weaning and high feeding level in post-weaning period did not impact milk production in Alpine dairy goats

Abstract

The experiment reported in this Research Communication aimed to determine the combined effects of early weaning and post-weaning feeding level on growth, reproductive parameters and milk yield in Alpine goats. Sixty-four Alpine goat kids were weaned abruptly at either 12·2 (±1·40) kg (40 d of age, E) or 17·7 (±2·30) kg (60 d of age, No). After weaning, E and No goats were subjected to 2 feeding strategies (n = 16): ad libitum concentrate until 130 d of age and then 620 g DM/d/goat until 200 d of age (EC and NoC) or ad libitum concentrate until 200 d of age (EAL and NoAL). Goats were weighed twice a month until 200 d of age. Pregnancy rate and litter size were recorded. Daily milk yield was measured by milk meter during the first lactation. Up to 60 d of age, average daily gain (ADG) of E kids was significantly lower than No kids. From 60 to 130 d of age, ADG of the four treatments were not different. After 130 d of age, EC and NoC kids had lower ADG than EAL and NoAL kids. Pregnancy rates of EAL and NoAL goats were lower than those of EC and NoC. Milk yield was not modified by weaning weight or feeding management. Milk quality was not affected by any treatment. To conclude, the age at weaning as well as the feeding level after weaning did not negatively impact growth and milk yield. We hypothesise that the establishment of the lactation function is not impacted by rearing management. Hence, decreasing the age at weaning could be an interesting way to reduce the cost of the rearing period in goat kids.

High feeding level after early weaning had no impact on subsequent milk production in Alpine goats

“…Therefore, we could assume that the kids ate enough concentrate before weaning not to exhibit weaning shock. Indeed, Panzuti et al observed no weaning shock after having weaned Alpine goats at 12 kg and 40 days of age as shown also by Ferreira and Thornton (2004) in Saanen kids weaned at 42 days of age (Panzuti et al 2018). We could assume that the improvement of feed quality (milk replacer and concentrate), since 1980, had a beneficial impact on solid feed intake.…”

“…Interestingly, an ad libitum feeding from weaning to parturition highly reduced milk production in first lactation compared to restricted feeding management in Alpine goats (Aubry et al 2012). On the contrary, milk production was not affected by a high feeding level of the same concentrate from weaning until the mating period in another experiment performed in the same laboratory (Panzuti et al 2018). The only difference between the two studies was the duration of the ad libitum feeding period.…”

“…Ad libitum feeding post-weaning is often used after an early weaning to provide enough Dry Matter (DM) and to achieve a compensatory growth (Ferreira and Thornton 2004). In a recent study, we showed that early weaning (12 vs. 18 kg) in Alpine goats did not reduce growth and milk yield in first lactation (Panzuti et al 2018). Moreover, we showed that ad libitum feeding after weaning either until 4 months of age or until 7 months of age did not affect milk production in first lactation (Panzuti et al 2018).…”

“…In a recent study, we showed that early weaning (12 vs. 18 kg) in Alpine goats did not reduce growth and milk yield in first lactation (Panzuti et al 2018). Moreover, we showed that ad libitum feeding after weaning either until 4 months of age or until 7 months of age did not affect milk production in first lactation (Panzuti et al 2018). Furthermore, mammary growth is a major determinant of milk yield.…”

Recent research of feeding practices and the nutrition of lactating dairy goats

“…This is similar to conditions in early lactation when nutrient and energy intake are less than needed to support milk production, resulting in limited levels of short and medium chain FA in milk and elevated concentrations of long chain FA, primarily C18:0 (stearic acid) and C18:1 (oleic acid), arising from mobilized tissue (Eknaes and Skeie 2006). Panzuti et al (2018) conducted a study addressing potential for adverse effects of high nutritional planes for Alpine doelings during growing on subsequent milk yield as has been observed in dairy cattle. Doelings were weaned at 40 or 60 days of age and offered concentrate ad libitum until 200 days when breeding began or restricted from day130 to 200.…”