Abstract

Ranbir Tagore, Sachin P. C and Swami A. Kumar

This study was conducted to investigate the milk production performance of Black Bengal goats in different parities reared in a semi-intensive system. The 112 female Black Bengal goats were selected on the basis of their phenotypic characteristics and ancestral history from Goat Farm, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. Milk production records of the Black Bengal goat were recorded in the 9th week of kidding from September, 2007 to August, 2008. The overall milk production of 112 goats in the 9th week was within the range of 0.240 to 1.73 kg. On an average, the initial yield, peak yield, average peak yield, days to attain peak yield, total milk yield and daily milk yield was 0.250 kg, 0.380 kg, 0.310 kg, 11.35 days, 7.21 kg and 0.210 kg, respectively. The milk production increased in the fourth week of lactation and then decreased afterwards. Milk production of those goats which gave birth to more than three kids was highest, followed by those that gave birth to two and one kids. Milk production performance of Black Bengal goat in the third parity was better than that of the first and second parities. In conclusion, Black Bengal goats tend to have a potentiality of milk production.