ABSTRACT

Changes in udder characteristics of West African dwarf does at different parity levels were studied. The experiment was conducted at the livestock farm of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. The parity levels studied were 2, 3 and 4 represented as P2, P3 and P4, respectively. Thirteen does at specified parity were assigned to the treatments as follows: P2 (7) P3 (2) P4 (4). Parameters studied were teat length (TL), teat width (TW), teat circumference (TC), udder length (Ut), udder width (15W), udde  circumference (UC), Distance between teats (DT), height of the teat from the ground (HTG) and udder volume (UV) were measured for 18 weeks. In weeks 8, 9 and 10-teat length of P3 (2.35cm, 2.50cm and 2.66cm respectively) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of P2 and P4 with respective means of (2.70cm, 2.79cm, 2.89cm) and (265cm, 2.60cm and 2.70cm). In week 10 TC of P3 (4.15cm) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of P2 (4.47cm) and P4 (4.58cm). From weeks 0-1 7, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in TW, DT and HTG between the different treatments. In weeks 6, UW of P3 (8.50cm) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of P2 (9.27cm) and P4 (9.10cm). in weeks 4 and 5 UL of P3 (6.50cm and 7.65cm respectively) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of P2 (8.04cm and 8.50cm respectively) and P4 (8.09cm and 8.53cm respectively). In weeks 4, 5, 12 and 13 UV of P3 (203.78cm3, 214.75cm3, 188.60cm3and 361.01cm3respectively) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than P2 (323.49cm3352.12cm3422.67cm3and 424.85cm3) and P4 (338.31cm3, 351.41cm3, 489.5cm2and 483.89cm3 respectively). In weeks 5 and 6 UC was significant (P<0.05) with P3 (19.00cm and 19.00cm respectively) lower than those of P2 (21.29cm and 21.16cm respectively) and P4 (22.48cm and 22.48cm respectively). Parities 2 and 4 exhibited better udder characteristic during the study period.