STUDIES ON THE MILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF LACTATING RED SOKOTO DOES FED GINGER (Zingiber officinale) AS FEED ADDITIVE

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion levels of ginger on milk yield and composition of Red Sokoto does. A total of twenty-eight (28) Red Sokoto does (RSD) weighing on the average 16.29 kg were used. The animals were randomly assigned to four diets, containing 0, 250, 500 and 750g/100kg diet levels of ginger respectively in a completely randomized design. Each of the animals were fed concentrate at 1.5% of body weight. Milk yield and composition were recorded. Udder and teats of each doe were washed with cotton wool soaked in disinfectant (Methylated spirit) and then they were hand-milked into sterilized containers and measured using calibrated cylinder. Milk samples were analyzed for total solids, fat and protein using infrared spectrophotometry. Ash content was determined after heating in a muffle furnace for 3 hours and the solids not fat content was calculated by difference. Results obtained showed that higher total milk yield of 360 liters was recorded in RSD fed diet containing 250 g ginger. All milk composition parameters (total solid, ash, fat, solid not fat and crude protein), were significantly affected (P<0.05) by ginger inclusion. Fat and crude protein contents were significantly affected (P<0.05) by lactation stages with their higher values (P<0.05) recorded in mid lactation stage (4.35% and 3.61%) respectively. Ash content recorded significantly higher value (P<0.05) in early lactation stage (1.05%). Ginger inclusion levels in the diets of RSD improved milk yield and milk composition.

Evaluation of Different Levels of Ginger as Feed Additives on Growth Performance of Pregnant Red Sokoto Does and their Kids

“…This could be attributed to the phyto chemical substances present in the ginger. Ginger was reported to help increase the absorption of essential nutrients (protein, energy, vitamins and minerals), thus improving the growth of animals (Ibrahim et al, 2023). Ginger may also increase feed digestion by reducing the time of feed passage through the digestive tract (Nemati et al, 2021).…”