Comparative evaluation of lactation performance of West African dwarf and red sokoto goats raised in a hot-humid environment

The milk yield and compositions of twelve lactating does comprising six each of West African Dwarf (Fouta djallon) and Red Sokoto (Maradi) were compared in a 21-week study. The does in their second parity were monitored over a full lactation. The goats received daily basal grass and browse fodder in addition to a concentrate supplement in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment. The does were hand milked and milk yield (g/d) was quantified daily. Milk samples were analyzed weekly for total solids (TS %), butter fat (BF %), solids-not-fat (SNF %), crude protein (CP %) and total ash (TA %). Lactose concentration (LC %) was analyzed daily immediately after sampling. Macro-minerals in milk samples were determined by dry ash extraction method specific for each mineral element. Milk yield was influenced significantly (p0.05) by breed. The TA was significantly (P