Major elements in milk of the West African dwarf goats as affected by stage of lactation

Abstract

Twelve adult West African dwarf (Fouta djallon) does, about 2 years old and weighing from 25 to 28 kg were kept for lactation studies lasting two 19-week periods. During these periods the does were hand-milked twice daily and the daily samples were bulked for each animal for subsequent analysis.The results showed that the colostrum was much richer in its content (g/kg) of Na 1·44 ± 0·17, Κ 3·38 ± 0·22 and Cl 4·83 ± 0·29 than the mature milk which contained (g/kg) Na 0·65 ± 0·09, Κ 1·57 ± 0·19 and Cl 2·46 ± 0·58. The corresponding values obtained for Ca (0·65 ± 0·02) and P (0·36 ± 0·10) in the colostrum were, however, lower than 2·01 ± 0·98 and 1·18± 0·28 g/kg obtained for Ca and P respectively in the mature milk. The composition of these elements in the colostrum approached that of the normal goat's milk on the sixth d after parturition. The results showed a rise in Ca, P, Na and Cl levels with stage of lactation and a fall in Κ content of the milk with advancing lactation with the trends being highly significant (P < 0·01).