Effect of dietary protein supplementation on performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) does during pregnancy and lactation

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 12 h of birth and at 6 weeks of age. The results showed that animals on HDP gained significantly more weight (P < 0.01) and also had significantly higher body condition scores P < 0.05 than those on LDP. Equally, they delivered and weaned kids of significantly higher birth and weaning weights than those on LDP (P < 0.01). It was concluded that protein supplementation in reproducing traditionally managed WAD goats enhanced foetal development, birth weight, mammary gland development and promoted lactation, all of which enhanced survivability of the neonates. These translated into the delivery of viable kids and weaning of kids of higher body weights, which are requirements for early disease resistance and finish. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.