A comparison of milk composition of karadi, hamdani, and awassi ewes raised under farm conditions

Abstract EN

A total of 417 milk samples of 172 ewes belonging to Karadi, Hamdani and Awassi breeds raised at four commercial farms in Erbil plain together with another flock raised at the college of agriculture, were collected at the start, mid and at the end of lactation during lambing season 2006/2007.

Milk samples were analyzed chemically for its constituents using EKO milk total test.

The overall mean of Fat, protein, lactose and solid non fat were, 4.57±0.09, 6.45±0.06, 4.59±0.01 and 11.98±0.08 %, respectively.

Results revealed that a breed within flock, has a significant effect on fat, protein and solid non fat.

It appears also that age of dam affected significantly percent of lactose only.

Type of birth and month of lambing had no significant effects on all milk constituents.

Fat increased significantly with the advances of lactation period.