Reproductive performance and milk yield of rohilkhand goats

A study was conducted to record the reproduction parameters, average milk yield and milk composition of Rohilkhand goats maintained at the Institute farm. The body weights at first heat (BWFH), mating and kidding were 10.25±0.23, 14.34±0.42 and 20.15±0.43 kg, respectively. The least squares mean for BWFH in females was significantly higher (P<0.05) for those born in winter (13.00±0.53 kg) than in summer (10.40±0.33 kg) and rainy (8.47±0.40 kg) seasons. The overall least squares means for age at first heat (AFH), age at first mating (AFM), age at first kidding (AFK) and gestation length (GL) were 282.23±6.51, 362.14±10.04, 543.17±19.47 and 149.70±0.51 days, respectively. The AFH was significantly higher in winter- born animals than in summer and rainy season-born. Similarly, season affected the age at first mating. Peak milk yield was attained at 6.5 weeks and the average milk yield was 454.8 ml/day. The type of birth (single/twin) did not significantly (P>0.05) influence the milk yield of does at different weeks. The effect of season was significant (P<0.01) during early stage of lactation. Peak milk yield was higher in summer than winter months. Fat% was significantly (P<0.05) higher in late lactation than early and mid lactation. The SNF% was significantly (P<0.05) higher in early lactation than mid and late lactation. Similarly, protein and lactose constituents were significantly (P<0.01) higher in early lactation than mid and late lactation.