Estimation of Milk Yield in Suckled Awassi Sheep Under Traditional Feeding Conditions

Abstract

Abstract Said, S.I., Kridli, R.T. and Muwalla, M.M. 1999. Estimation of milk yield in suckled Awassi sheep under traditional feeding conditions. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 16: 163–168. This study was performed to estimate the milk production ability of Awassi ewes using oxytocin-induced hand milking method under traditional feeding. Thirty eight Awassi ewes (2 to 7 years) were used in this study. Milk production and body weight of ewes were estimated once a week throughout the suckling period (8 weeks). Each ewe received 5 i.u. of oxytocin (iv) followed immediately by hand-milking until all the milk was stripped off. Lambs remained in isolation from ewes for 4 hours after which the milking procedure was repeated. Milk obtained at second milking was measured. Twentyfour hour milk production was calculated in relation to the interval between milkings. The least-squares means for daily milk yield in the first eight weeks of lactation (suckling period) were 1.88. 1.60, 1.58, 1.39, 1.30, 1.18, 1.12 and 1.06 kg, respectively. The effect of lamb sex, ewe age, day of measurement and ewe weight on daily milk yeild were generally not significant.