Effect of bovine colostrum intake on growth,reproductive parameters and survival in red kids |
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Authors: | H Abdou H Marichatou J‐F Beckers I Dufrasne M Issa J‐L Hornick |
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Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Nutrition, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Liege, , Liege, Belgium;2. Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University Abdou Moumouni, , Niamey, Niger;3. Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Department of Science Functional, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Liege, , Liege, Belgium;4. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Abdou Moumouni, , Niamey, Niger |
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Abstract: | The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of frozen Azawak colostrum supplementation on body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), reproductive parameters (mean age at first parturition, fertility, fecundity, prolificacy) and mortality rate among red kids. The study was conducted at the goat farm secondary centre of Maradi in Niger from September 2010 to September 2011. The control animals (n = 20) were left with their mother, while the treatment animals (n = 20) received in addition 50 ml/animal/day of bovine colostrum at birth and 15 ml/animal/day from d2 to d15. Weight was measured weekly from birth to d365. Mortalities were also recorded over the same period. For reproductive parameters, observations began at weaning (d197). Growth rate was higher (p < 0.001) in supplemented animal, and the treatment effects on ADG were observed up to 150 day after the end of supplementation. A similar long‐lasting trend was also observed in relation to the mortality rate (25% for ColG vs. 55% for ConG; p = 0.05). The age at first kidding tended to be lower in the treated group (13.8 ± 0.7 vs. 14.1 ± 0.8 month; p < 0.1). In conclusion, mild bovine colostrum supplementation induces a long‐lasting positive impact on growth rate and to a lower extent on reproduction parameters and survival rate. |
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Keywords: | bovine colostrum growth performance survival red kids |
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