Comparative Effect of Feeding Selected Forages on Performance, Milk Yield and Milk Composition of West African Dwarf Goat Dams During Dry Season

This study evaluated the effects of feeding different forages (Panicum maximum (PM, control), Gmelina arborea (GA), and Mangifera indica (MI) on the performance, milk yield, and milk composition of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat dams during the dry season. Twenty-one multiparous does with age range of 2–3 years old were naturally mated and assigned to the three forage treatments, with seven replicates per treatment. Data was collected for eight weeks post-partum. Results showed that MI-fed dams had the highest final weight (21.63 kg), while GA-fed dams had the lowest (19.50 kg). Forage intake was highest in PM and MI groups but lowest in GA-fed does. Water intake followed a similar pattern, being highest in MI-fed does. Hematological parameters were superior in GA-fed dams, with the highest packed cell volume (36.75%) and hemoglobin concentration (12.63 g/dl). Milk mineral composition varied significantly across treatments: PM-fed dams had the highest calcium and magnesium contents, while MI-fed dams had the highest potassium content. The study concluded that Mangifera indica is beneficial for maintaining optimal body weight in WAD dams during the dry season, whereas Gmelina arborea enhances milk protein and casein content.