Variation in the amount of milk offered and effects on the performance of suckling goat kids

Abstract

The study was conducted with the objective to establish a nutritionally and economically satisfactory management during the suckling phase. Suckling using the traditional amount (1.5 kg milk/day) was compared to suckling according to the energy requirements of the animals (variable amount of milk) calculated by regression based on literature data. Animals receiving the traditional treatment presented a mean weight gain of 0.155 kg/day, which did not differ significantly (P≥0.05) from that of animals receiving a variable amount of milk (mean weight gain of 0.134 kg/day). The average weaning age was 76 days. Animals receiving variable amounts of milk ingested on average 20 kg less milk during the suckling period. Considering the results, the best suckling was obtained when the amount of milk was varied according to the energy requirements of goat kids.

Keywords

• aleitamento
• Capra hircus
• necessidade energética.