Abstract:
This research focuses on studying the growth performance of kids and the quality of goat's milk
in the Ghardaïa region. In order to characterise the growth of the animals, weekly weighing was
carried out between birth and 12 weeks of age. Average daily gains (ADGs) were also
calculated. Growth results were presented for all kids as a function of sex and litter size on
different farms. As for the quality of colostrum and milk at different stages of lactation, several
parameters were evaluated, such as fat content, protein, lactose (milk), fat-free dry extract
(milk), pH, acidity, dry matter and mineral matter. The results generally showed a reduction in
the nutritional quality of milk compared with colostrum on all farms. The difference in weight
between the two sexes was remarkable, as was the difference between types of farrowing.
