This study was carried out on 38 Shami female goats and 48 of their kids to investigate the effect of using milk replacer on growth performance of goat kids, goat’s milk yield and composition, and economic efficiency. Two groups, (19 goats each) with their kids were used up to 12 weeks of age after kidding. The kids of first group were allowed free access to suckle their dams during the experimental period till weaning. The kids of the other group were fed milk replacer (MR) just after 3 days of receiving colostrum. A starter diet was offered after 4 weeks of age for all goat kids. Growth of kids and feed intake were measured. Milk from the dams was evaluated for yield and composition. The artificial feeding and natural suckling systems were evaluated economically to determine the farm profitability. Results showed that the MR fed kids had a better growth performance in terms of live body weight and average daily gain than the natural suckling kids. Milk production and composition were improved in MR fed kids than natural suckled counterparts. The net return (profit) was superior in MR feeding system (LE 1317.06/kid), than natural suckling (LE 419.09/kid). In this study, feeding MR to newly born goat kids instead of natural suckling had positive effects on kid growth, goat's milk yield and composition as well as the production profitability of the farm. |
