Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part A (2019)

The effect of season of birth and parity order on growth, body weight change, litter size and milk yield and composition of Sudanese desert goats has been studied. The experiment was conducted with Desert goats in EL Obied locality, Northern Kordofan state. Twenty eight (28) adult doe's of Desert goats were used in experiment. The does were divided into two groups, G1 and G2, with 15 and 13 dams, respectively according to parity number for 2^nd and 3rd parities respectively. All does in all groups were subjected to natural grazing. The results indicated that the effect of season of birth on body weight before kidding, at kidding, weaning and body weight change were not significant, where high weight secured by does kidded during rainy season as compared with does kidded in dry season. High lost in weight seen in does kidding during dry season as 7.90%. Also the results revealed that parity order significantly (P<0.05) effect the body weight at kidding, high weight in 3^rd parity (25.31 kg) as compared with 2^nd parity (23.98 kg). The results indicated that litter size significantly (P<0.05) affected by season of birth and parity order, high litter were observed in rainy season and in 3^rd parity, the respective were 1.5 and 1.58. The season of birth significantly (P<0.05) effect milk production. High milk production was noticed in rainy season kidders as compared with kidders in dry season. The variation in total milk production between rainy and dry season kidder were 2.77%. The results indicated that parity order did not affect milk production and milk composition.