Growth Performance and Milk Yield in Sahelian × Anglo-Nubian Goats Following Crossbreeding in the Semi-Arid Zone of Mali

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of crossbreeding Sahelian Goats (SG) with Anglo-Nubian (AN) bucks on growth performance of kids and milk production of does during the pre-weaning period. Forty four suckled and hand-milked does were randomized and divided into two groups [Sahelian goat (SG; n = 22) and Anglo-Nubian × Sahelian goat (ANSG; n = 22)] and ninety kids of three breeds were allocated to three groups [(SG; n = 30), (ANSG; n = 30) and backcross breeds kids (AN (ANSG); n = 30)]. The does and their offspring were kept in a pen in which they stayed indoor for 45 days before they were allowed to outdoor system as the weather was suitable. Every category received a nutritional supplementation depending on the annual season (rainy, dry cold and dry hot season). The body weight gain of the kids and the average daily milk yield of the does were recorded weekly from parturition to 100 days of age.

The birth weight and live weight of kids were significantly affected by the breed type (P ≤ 0.001). The body weights of kids were greater in AN (ANSG), and ANSG group (P ≤ 0.001), compared to SG at all ages. The growth performance was the greatest in AN (ANSG) kids until 30 days (113.70 ± 15.79 g) and until 100 days, 91.23 ± 8.12 g (P ≤ 0.001). Moderate correlation was found between overall kids birth weight and live-body weight at 60 days of age (r = 0.52). Similarly, daily milk yield was highly affected by breed type (P ≤ 0.001) throughout the observation period, while the effect of sex on daily milk production was not significant. The total milk yield at 100 days has increased of 103% in ANSG over SG. Results of this study indicate that crossbreeding Sahelian Goat with Anglo-Nubian goat breed improved their growth rate and milk production.