Home            Contact us            FAQs
    
      Journal Home      |      Aim & Scope     |     Author(s) Information      |      Editorial Board      |      MSP Download Statistics

     International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances

    Abstract
2014(Vol.6, Issue:1)
Article Information:

Factors Affecting Milk Yield, Composition and Udder Health of Najdi Ewes

M. Ayadi, A.M. Matar, R.S. Aljumaah, M.A. Alshaikh and M. Abouheif
Corresponding Author:  M. Ayadi 
Submitted: November 07, 2013
Accepted: November 18, 2013
Published: February 20, 2014
Abstract:
Although Najdi milk has been historically utilized by bedouins to process traditional dairy products, no published studies have been focused on their milk productivity and quality traits. This study was planned to investigate the effects of litter size, sex of lamb and lamb’s birth weight on milk yield, compositions and udder health during suckling and milking periods. A total of 30 multiparous ewes were utilized in this study. Litter size and sex of lambs did not produce any effects (p>0.05) on milk yield, fat, protein, lactose, total solids and Somatic Cell Counts (SCC); whereas, lamb’s birth weight significantly (p<0.05) affected the milk yield, but not the compositions. Daily milk yield reached the maximum 2.13±0.24 L in the 3rd week and gradually decreased (p>0.05) to attain 1.88±0.18 L in the 9th week of lactation. Average milk yield were 2.17 and 1.71 L.d-1, for ewes that gave birth to lambs weighing >5 and <5 kg, respectively; the corresponding yields during milking period were 0.52 and 0.34 L.d-1, respectively. Milk compositions remained constant throughout the suckling period, but percentages of fat, protein and total milk solids increased (p<0.05) and lactose decreased (p<0.05) in the 10th week of lactation compared to other weeks in milking period. The SCC during suckling and milking periods did not change (p>0.05) and had a mean value of 9.95×105 cells/mL. It is concluded that the indigenous Najdi ewes have a noticeable potential for milk production, but milk compositions were lower in comparison to other international dairy sheep.

Key words:  Milk composition, milk yield, Najdi ewes, somatic cell counts, , ,
Abstract PDF HTML
Cite this Reference:
M. Ayadi, A.M. Matar, R.S. Aljumaah, M.A. Alshaikh and M. Abouheif, . Factors Affecting Milk Yield, Composition and Udder Health of Najdi Ewes. International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, (1): 28-33.
ISSN (Online):  2041-2908
ISSN (Print):   2041-2894
Submit Manuscript
   Information
   Sales & Services
Home   |  Contact us   |  About us   |  Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2024. MAXWELL Scientific Publication Corp., All rights reserved