The present work was a part of a project entitled (Introducing the High Milk
Yieldi"g Zaraibi Goats Into the Newly Reclaimed Areas). The objective was to
Improve goat milk producuon under the prevailin~ harsh conditions of the Egyptian
des2!'\ ~ lUI aibi goats is fl breed recognized for hugh milk production and high
reproductive performance. The plan of the project was designed to propagate the
Zaraibi breed erthc, as a pure breed or through crossbreeding with the Barki breed.
tne native breec of the Egyptian northwestern coat-tal desert. This work was carried
out at Maryo'Jt Resaarch Station. southwest of Alexa ldria, using 25 Sarki does mated
by Barki bucks for the production of Barki kids I BB) and 27 Barki does mated by
Zaraibi bucks for tile production of F1 kids (BZ). Another flock of pure Zaraibi does
was also mated by the Zaraibi bucks for the propagalion of pure Zaraibi (ZZ). Barki does mated to Zaraibi bucks showed 3 high percentage of twin births
(29.6%) compared to those mated to Barki bucks (12.0%). Average litter size was
1.38 for the BZ group while it was only 1.07 for Sq. In addition, the BZ group gave
higher body weight kids born/doe bred (1.63 kg) than that of BB (1.41 kg). The results of the present study indicated the t there was a clear advantage of
ZZ kids body weight over that of BB and BZ kids, especially at the beginning of the 4th
week after birth (4.33.2.64 and 2.53 kg, respective y) and at 12 weeks of age (7.75,
5.70, and 4.64 kg, respectively). The overall mean of the afternoon rectal ter iperature of BB kids was higher
(P<0.05) compared to BZ kids (40.07 vs. 39.93 cCl. lhe BZ kids had higher (P avera I! rnorninq coat temperature (33.47 vs. : 3.11 °C) but a lower (P<0.05)
temperature gradient from skin to the tip of the cos-t than those of BB kids (2.15 vs.
2.50 °C) These re~ected a better insulation ability of the hair coat in BB kids.
However, there were no differences in morning and sfternoon skin temperatures and
respiration rates. These results reflected the ability of BZ kids to control their body
temperature under the harsh conditions of the nothwestern coastal desert. The
results of the present work demonstrated the capability of raising the Zaraibi breed in
this area.