Effect of Non-Genetic Factors on The Reproductive Performance and Milk Yield Characteristics of Hair Goats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the potential effect of non-genetic factors on certain production characteristics of Hair goats raised under semi-intensive management and dry-sub humid conditions, and to investigate phenotypic correlations between these traits. A generalized linear model was used to investigate the effect of non-genetic factors on gestation length (GL), number of services per conception (NSPC), lactation length (LL), lactation milk yield (LMY) and daily milk yield (DMY), while the Chi-square method was used to evaluate other fertility parameters. The pregnancy rate, birth rate and single-birth rate in the Traditional Group were higher, while the infertility rate and NSPC were lower, than those in the Artificial Group (P<0.001). Furthermore, it was determined that LL, LMY and DMY increased (P<0.001), the NSPC decreased (P<0.001), and birth and twinning rates fluctuated (P<0.01) as age increased. The best fertility and milk yield characteristics were in the ≥5 year-old-goats and live weights of 45.0-49.9 kg. In addition, it was determined that kid yield was increased in the goats synchronized with intravaginal sponges impregnated with fluorogestone acetate and in those bred via the traditional method.

Milk yield, udder, and growth traits of Hair goats and their crossbreeds managed under extensive conditions

“…In the same study, first and second LMYs in Saanen × Hair crossbred F1s were 207.6 ± 11.27 to 287.27 ± 5.17 kg. LL of 195.9 ± 10.05 d to 221.6 ± 1.43 d, and DMY of 1.06 ± 0.09 to 1.293 ± 0.021 kg have been reported (Şengonca et al, 2003;Çelik & Oflaz, 2015;Erduran, 2017) In studies carried out on Hair goats, LMYs of 80.15 ± 2.07 and 223.00 ± 8.88 kg; LLs of 130.55 ± 22.18 and 242.18 ± 5.75 d; and DMYs of 0.560 ± 0.08 and 1.039 ± 0.017 kg have been reported in the first and second lactations, respectively (Şengonca et al, 2003;Toplu & Altınel, 2008;Çelik & Oflaz, 2015;Atay & Gökdal, 2016;Erduran, 2017;Bolacalı et al, 2019). In the current study, the LMY and DMY of the Saanen and Alpine crosses were higher than that of the Hair goats, and the LL and LMY values calculated for the Hair goats were much higher than the values found in other studies related to the Hair goats.…”