title: Effect of parity, milking time and stage of lactation on milk yield of Jiangyue donkey (Equus asinus) in North West China.
abstract: The study reported in this Research Communication was carried out to examine how parity and milking time affected donkey milk yield under a typical Chinese production system. Eighteen Jiangyue breed donkeys with good health condition, aged between 6 and 9 years, and with parities 3 and 4, were selected. Milk production was measured commencing from the fourth week post-foaling, with a total data collection of 170 d in milk (lactation length). Mean milk yield of the donkeys used in this study was 3·0 kg/donkey/d. Results showed milk yield decreased with days in milk from 3·3 kg/donkey/d at the start of the study, to 2·2 kg/donkey/d by the end of the 170 d. Parity 3 donkeys produced 22% more milk than parity 4 donkeys (3·3 kg/donkey/d vs 2·7 kg/donkey/d). The information provided by this study should aid producers in estimating the expected milk yields from individual donkey, and better predict milk yield over the course of a production cycle.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science,Tarim University,Alaer,Xinjiang,843300,PR China.
authors.forename: Geminguli
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muhatai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences,Lincoln University,P.O. Box 85084,Canterbury,New Zealand.
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Agriculture Research and Development Division,Department of Economic Development,Jobs,Transport and Resources,Ellinbank Centre,Ellinbank,Victoria 3821,Australia.
authors.forename: Innocent
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rugoho
authors.affiliation: Kashgar Animal Husbandry Station,Kashgar,Xinjiang,844000,PR China.
authors.forename: Guoliang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science,Tarim University,Alaer,Xinjiang,843300,PR China.
authors.forename: Genyuan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences,Lincoln University,P.O. Box 85084,Canterbury,New Zealand.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science,Tarim University,Alaer,Xinjiang,843300,PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaoling
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D018397:Equidae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008892:Milk; D010298:Parity / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: days in milk; donkey; lactation curve; milking interval