Effect of Azawak Cattle Colostrum Supplementation on Performance and Survival of Red Goats During the First Year of Life.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to measure the effect of supplementation with bovine colostrum Azawak among newborn Red goats breastfed in breeding conditions for semi-intensive type of Niger. The study was conducted in Secondary Goat Breeding Center of Maradi. Forty newborn kids, regardless of sex, were divided randomly into two groups: a "T-Control " group receiving only breast milk per feeding (n = 20) and a "C-Colostrum" group having the same diet but supplemented with bovine colostrum thawed (50 ml the first day of life, then 25 ml in 2 meals/ day between the ages of 2 and 15d, n = 20). The results indicate that supplementation with bovine colostrum in the first 15 days of life, increases the growth of kids until weaning, modified some barometric changes some settings improves health status and reduces the mortality rate. Birth weights in both groups were similar (1.65 kg vs. 1.64 kg; NS). However, at the end of period 1, the live weight and thus the total weight gain of the kids in-group C was higher (0.61 kg; p < 0.001) than those in-group T. Growth rate was also improved (+41.0 g/d; p < 0.001). For reproductive parameters and body measurements, the mean values of the BMPA were 13.2 ± 0.7 and 14.2 ± 0.2 months, respectively for group C and T; P = 0.07). The values of body measurements in group C animals were higher than those in group T, but the differences were not significant, except for head length and thoracic girth (p < 0.001 and 0.05, respectively). To our knowledge, in the studied environment, this work is original and seems to bring new knowledge likely to have practical applications in areas with farming conditions quite difficult.