ABSTRACT – Effect of dietary protein supplementation…

ABSTRACT:

The effect of dietary protein supplementation on the reproductive performance of West African Dwarf goats (WAD) was studied. Eighteen 9–12-month-old female WAD goats that were free from both helminth and trypanosome infections were divided into two groups (A and B) of nine females each and confined separately in concrete floored, fly proof pens. Group A was maintained on a high dietary protein (HDP) diet of 13% crude protein (CP) per day and group B on a low dietary (LDP) protein diet of 9% crude protein (CP) per day from mating until 6 weeks postpartum. The mean live weights and body condition scores were determined weekly from mating (day zero of pregnancy) up to 6 weeks postpartum. These were also determined in neonates within 12h of birth and at 6 weeks of age. The results showed that animals on HDP gained significantly more weight (P
Small Ruminant Research 08/2007; 71(1):200-204. DOI:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.06.007