ABSTRACT
The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of parity types on reproductive efficiency of dairy Zaraibi goats. The conception rate, prolificacy, birth types, litter size, sexing of kids, gestation length, kidding interval, oestrus resumption and body weight of kids born were used as source to evaluate reproductive performance. Twenty-one dairy Zaraibi goats of different parities, 1st, 3rd and 5th, were used in this study (7 goats / parity). All goats had body weight ranged from 26.00 to 42.00 kg and age from 19 and 67 months. During the study period, all goats received feedstuffs, veterinary care and kept under the same environmental condition. The results indicated that different reproductive characteristics of dairy Zaraibi goats were recorded through 1st, 3rd and 5th parity. Conception rate showed similar results among 1st, 3rd and 5th parity. Estimation of prolificacy in the 3rd and 5th parity was greater as it reached 185.71 and 185.71% than shown in 1st parity (157.14 %). The birth types showed higher triplet rate in 3rd (28.57%) and 5th (14.29%) parity than in 1st parity (00.00%). Improvement of litter size was noticed in 3rd parity (2.29) following by 5th (2.14) compared to 1st parity (1.71). Sex ratio of female : male kids born was found to be 66.67:33.33, 37.50: 62.50 and 60.00:40.00 % in the 1st, 3rd and 5th parity, respectively. The average gestation length, kidding interval and oestrus resumption and duration also recorded significant difference (P<0.05) among parity types. Since, gestation length were 149.29, 145.86 and 143.29 days, kidding interval were 0.00, 350.29 and 365.71 days, oestrus resumption were 48.57, 37.14 and 36.71 days and estrus duration were 30.57, 37.29 and 38.14 hrs in 1st, 3rd and 5th parities, respectively. The average total birth weight (female plus male kids), birth weight of female kids and birth weight of twins significantly differed (P<0.05) among studied parities. Meanwhile, other weights, as weaning weight of kids in 3rd and 5th parity recorded better (P>0.05) weight than kids in 1st parity except single weaning weight of kids in 1st parity. It could conclude that reproductive performance of dairy Zaraibi goats is better in 3rd parity followed by 5th parity then 1st parity. There is a tendency for improvement of reproductive parameters of dairy Zaraibi goats by advance of age up to 5th parity. Hence, the 3rd parity proved potential reproductive life for dairy goats and could be achieved with good breeding plan and ameliorated management programs.