Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of bodyweight and body temperature on milk yield and milk
composition of West Africa Dwarf (WAD) does. A total number of sixteen lactating WAD does of different body
weights were selected for the experiment. The bodyweight and body temperature of the does were taken before
every milking period which lasted up to 8 weeks. Milk samples from each doe were subjected to milk composition
analysis using milk analyzer. The bodyweight of the does and its corresponding milk yield were grouped into four
classes (12 -15 kg, 15.1 -18 kg, 18.1-21 kg, 21.1-24 kg) while the body temperature and its corresponding milk
yield and properties were portioned into three ranges (low: 36.10 – 37.00 oC; medium: 37.10 – 38.00 oC; high:
38.10 – 39.00 oC). The data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance of completely randomized
design. The results revealed that bodyweight significantly (P

Key words: Lactation, Milk yield, Bodyweight, Temperature