The present study was carried out on 1172 records of Damascus (D), Barki
(B) and DB cross female kids reared at Borg El-Arab Experimental Farm over 22
years to estimate the effect of weaning age of female kids (8, 12 and 16 weeks) on its
productive and reproductive traits and biological productivity indices (I1 : weight of
weaned kid produced per doe per year, kg; I; : weight of kid per kg post partum weight
of doe per year; I3 : weight of kid per kg metabolic post partum weight of doe per year;
I. : additional kid weight producedldam per year; kg; I5: additional kid weight
produced} kg live weight of dam per year and la: additional kid weight
producedlmetabolic weight of dam per year).
The results indicated that female kids that weaned at 12 weeks of age had
the highest number of kids born or weaned, the longest lifetime and the longest days
in milk. The heaviest total weight of born or weaned kids was produced from female
weaned either at 12 weeks (for Barki and Damascus) or at 16 weeks (for the DB). The
highest milk conversion ratio (gain per one kilogram suckled milk) was observed in
kids produced by doe that weaned at 16 weeks in Barki and crossbred while for
Damascus was found in kids from does weaned at 12 weeks.
In Barki, weaning age had significant effect on total kilograms born and
lifetime length as well as values of l1, lg, I3 and I5 indices. In Damascus, weaning age
had significant effect on total kilograms weaned, total milk yield, days in milk, milk
conversion ratio as well as values of l1 and I4 indices. In DB genotype, weaning age
had highly significant effect on total milk yield and milk conversion ratio as well as all
productive indices.
Damascus breed showed higher lifetime production traits followed by the DB
while the Barki was the poorest in productivity. Breed had significant effect on all
productive indices.