Effects of Garlic and Tiger Nut on Milk Yield, Milk Composition and Mammary Morphometric Traits of West African Dwarf Goats

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of garlic and tiger nut on Milk Yield, Milk Composition and Mammary Morphometric traits on West African Dwarf Goats. The study was conducted at the small ruminant unit of the Directorate of university farm of Federal university of Agriculture Abeokuta Ogun State Nigeria, The study started around November and lasted till June. Fourteen lactating WAD Goats in their fifth parity of weight range between 15 — 28kg were synchronized and used for this experiment. The goats were divided into seven groups: control groups, 25g of tiger nut per kg of feed, 50g of tiger nut per kg of feed, 75g of tiger nut per kg of feed, 25g of garlic per kg of feed, 50g of garlic per kg of feed, 75g of garlic per kg of feed. The animals were raised intensively with good feeding and housing conditions. Milk was collected using 500ml graduated plastic beaker measured and weighed thereafter. These approaches were continued for 12 weeks postpartum after which the kids were weaned and the dam rebred. A portion of the milk (30ml) collected from each dam was taken to the laboratory to determine the composition of the milk using Lactoscan (Latoscan milk analyzer). Udder morphometric traits such as Udder circumference, Udder width, Udder length, Teat circumference, Teat width, Distance between the teat and Height of the teat ground were measured using a standard measuring tape. Data collected was subjected to one way analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. The results showed that the milk composition were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the treatment. Significant (P<0.05) differences were obtained in the milk yield. The milk yield is higher in treatment six (50g of garlic per kg) compared to other treatment groups. Significant (p<0.05) was also observed in the parameters of udder morphometric traits across the treatment groups. In conclusion, Goats fed garlic had higher milk yield, low fat and better mammary morphometric traits. Further research on the effect of tiger nut on lactating West African Dwarf Goats is recommended.