Effects of Parity and Somatic Cell Count Threshold on Udder Morphology, Milkability Traits, and Milk Quality in Canarian Goats.

The effects of parity and somatic cell count in milk (SCC) threshold on the udder morphology, milkability traits, and milk composition was evaluated in 41 Canarian goats in mid-lactation. The animals were divided according to parity (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), and a SCC threshold of 2000 × 10 cells/mL in milk was set to evaluate the effect of this factor on the different measured parameters. Results showed that primiparous goats had the udder smaller and less distended than multiparous goats, but no differences were detected on milk flow parameters.

Milk Replacer Supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid from Microalgae Does Not Affect Growth and Immune Status in Goat Kids.

Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has beneficial effects for consumers' health. Consequently, there is an increased interest in enhancing meat fatty acid profiles (i.e.

Suitability of dual-purpose cockerels of 3 different genetic origins for fattening under free-range conditions.

The utilization of male chickens for fattening constitutes a potential advantage of the dual-purpose concept. In addition to the use of commercial hybrids, producers could introduce alternative chicken genotypes or further develop local breeds. To gain more information about the genetic effect on growth performance, carcass characteristics, physicochemical meat traits, and sensory attributes, 60 cockerels belonging to Les Bleues (developed from the French breed Bresse Gauloise), Canarian (Spanish local breed), and Dominant Red Barred D459 (DRB D459; commercial dual-purpose hybrid) genotypes were reared under free-range conditions in a warm tropical climate and slaughtered at 15 wk of age.

Sheep and goats raised in mixed flocks have diverse immune status around parturition.

Several physiological and metabolic changes take place in dairy ruminants around parturition (late pregnancy, parturition, and early lactation). Dairy species are genetically selected for their higher milk production compared with non-dairy species. This fact causes a constant stress that impairs the immune status of the animal, with consequences for its welfare and performance.

Short-term effects of milking frequency on milk yield, milk composition, somatic cell count and milk protein profile in dairy goats.

Goats in Canary Islands are milked once a day by tradition, but in most countries with high technology on farms, goats are milked twice a day, which is known to improve milk yield. Therefore it is important to know whether the increase of milking frequency can improve the production without impairing milk quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the short term effects of three milking frequencies on milk yield, milk composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and milk protein profile in dairy goats traditionally milked once a day.