Effect of vetch (Vicia sativa) hay supplementation on performance of Begait and Abergelle goats in northern Ethiopia: I. Milk yield and composition

The objectives of this work were to study and compare the effect of vetch hay supplementation on milk yield of indigenous Begait and Abergelle goats, managed under semi-extensive conditions in the lowlands of northern Ethiopia, and to compare milk yield and composition of the two breeds.Eleven 7–8-month-old goats from each breed were randomly assigned to each of the four levels of vetch hay supplementation at 0% BW (Treatment 1), 0.5% BW (Treatment 2), 1.0% BW (Treatment 3) and 1.5% BW (Treatment 4). Goats were grazed during daytime and milked in the evening only. Kids were allowed to suck their dams during the night up to 90 days and then weaned. Milk yield and lactation length increased gradually and almost linearly by increasing level of supplementation, while fat percentage and total solids percentage declined. Differences (P < 0.05) in average daily milk yield were found between Treatments 1 and 4 for both goat breeds in both years. Milk yield was significantly higher, but fat and SNF contents were lower for Begait than for Abergelle goats. When calculated as energy corrected milk (ECM)/kg metabolic BW, no breed differences were found. There were no significant differences for calcium and phosphorus contents in milk between the breeds. It is concluded that vetch hay supplementation increased milk yield by up to 50%, but decreased percent fat and total solids in the milk of both Begait and Abergelle goats.