The effects of individual weaning based on birth weight on growth performance and milk yield in dairy goats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using birth weight of kids for weaning on growth and milk yield characteristics of Saanen and Alpine goats. A total of 24 does and their 40 kids were assigned to weaning groups when the kids reached three (X3) or four times (X4) their individual birth weights. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial design with two weaning stages (X3 vs. X4) and two breeds (S: Saanen; A: Alpine). The averages of weaning age of the SX3, AX3, SX4, and AX4 kids were determined as 42.75, 42.21, 53.15, and 65.81 days, respectively. The weaning groups and the interaction between weaning and breed had effects (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) on weaning age of the kids. The average daily weight gain before weaning was different in weaning groups (P < 0.001). On the contrary, the growth performances of the kids until breeding age were not different between groups. The milk yield characteristics of dams in groups were not different. The results indicated that weaning at a predetermined weight based on birth weight can be done successfully in dairy goats under intensive conditions.

The Combined Effect of Suckling System and Weaning Weight on Milk Traits of Native Sheep

“…However, no significant differences between BW3 and BW4 exist in post-weaning, total and commercial milk yield. Similarly, working on Saanen and Alpine goats, Gokdalet al (12) concluded that kids weaned at 3 times their individual birth weight yielded more milk (483.74 L) as compared with kids weaned when they reached four times of their birth weight (427.05 L). In the present investigation, it seems from Table 1 that the two systems of production yielded almost similar amount of milk at peak (776.42 vs. 773.66 ml) as well as when they attained their peak of production at a same time (38.71 vs. 39.20 days).…”

“…However, lambs of BW3 and BW4 at birth reached their marketing weight at 109.07 and 101.86 days, respectively and the differences between them was not significant. Similarly, working on Sannen and Alpine Kids, Gokdal et al(12) reported that kids reached 3 times their birth weight at shorter time in Sannen(42.75) and Alpine (42.21 days) compared with those reached 4 time their birth weight (Sannen 53.15 days and Alpine 65.81 days, respectively).…”

Impact of different feeding systems on cost-effectiveness and Eimeria spp. infections in Canarian goat kids

“…Although this practice promotes an optimal growth and reduces weaning shock, it decreases the availability of milk for cheese production, and may lead to economic losses (Lu and Potchoiba, 1988;Argüello et al, 2005). Thus, it has been reported that early weaning at 4 and 6 weeks increases the marketable quantity of milk without causing a negative impact on the growth of goat kids, which provides important benefits to the farm (Gökdal et al, 2017;Panzuti et al, 2018). Nevertheless, abrupt early weaning may cause growth retardation and weight loss, because the maturation of the digestive system is still incomplete (Magistrelli et al, 2013).…”

The Effect of Some Environmental Factors on Growth Performance and Reproductive Traits in Saanen Goats

“…The birth weight of Saanen kids was found 2.88-4.10 kg averagely (McManus et al, 2008;Ocak et al, 2006;Ceyhan and Karadag., 2009;Montaldo et al, 2010;Akoz et al, 2012;Akdag et al, 2011;Tolu and Savas, 2012;Ugur et al, 2004;Gokdal et al, 2017;Yilmaz et al, 2016). While the weaning weight was reported between 10.0 and 14.6 kg by McManus et al (2008), Ceyhan and Karadag.…”

“…While the weaning weight was reported between 10.0 and 14.6 kg by McManus et al (2008), Ceyhan and Karadag. (2009), Akdag et al (2011), Tolu and Savas (2012), Ugur et al (2004), Yilmaz et al (2016) and Gokdal et al (2017); the 120 th day of live weight was determined 17.54-23.76 kg, 21.5 kg and 24.27-29.30 kg by Ocak et al (2006), Ugur et al (2004) and Gokdal et al (2017) respectively. On the other hand, the 180 th day of live weight of Saanen kids was reported only by Gokdal et al (2017) with 24.27-29.30 kg.…”