EVALUATION OF CALCIUM SOAP IN THE DIET FOR MILK PRODUCTION IN RED SOKOTO GOATS

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of lactating Red Sokoto goats fed calcium soap produced in Nigeria. Twenty-four lactating Red Sokoto goats of average liveweight of 26.53±1.47 kg were balanced for parity and stage of lactation and then randomly allocated to three dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were: Treatment A (control ration without calcium soap), B (ration with 50 g of calcium soap), and C (ration with 100 g of calcium soap). Six hundred (600 g) was offered to each animal as a supplement to Digitaria grass hay. Feed intake was measured daily and the goats were milked twice a week and the daily milk yield estimated for 26 days. The results indicated that the inclusion of calcium soap reduced the intake of the supplement while the intake of hay and total dry matter were increased (P<0.05) at higher level of inclusion. The daily milk yield of the goats increased with dietary level of calcium soap but the increase was not significant (P>0.05). Milk total solids were significantly (P<0.05) higher in goats fed calcium soap. It is concluded that calcium soap can be fed up to 100 g in the diet of lactating Red Sokoto goats to enhance total dry matter intake and increase in milk production.