Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

Goat milk is an important source of animal protein and essential nutrients, particularly in tropical production systems. This study evaluated reproductive performance, milk production, milk composition, and udder characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto (RS) does assigned to four mating groups under a humid tropical production system. The foundation population comprised 88 goats: 40 WAD does, 40 RS does, four WAD bucks, and four RS bucks. The 80 foundation does were allocated to four mating groups of 20 does each: WAD × WAD, RS × RS, RS × WAD and WAD × RS. All milk-producing animals evaluated in the present study were the foundation does. The animals were managed under a semi-intensive production system for 12 months from March 2025 to February 2026. Reproductive performance, milk production, milk composition, udder dimensions and teat characteristics were recorded. Data were analysed using analysis of variance, while repeated observations during lactation were analysed using a repeated-measures approach. Significant means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test at P<0.05. The does in the RS × WAD and WAD × RS mating groups recorded higher average, initial, peak and total milk yields than those in the WAD × WAD and RS × RS groups. Milk fat, protein, total solids, solids-not-fat and moisture differed significantly among mating groups, whereas lactose, ash and pH did not. Udder dimensions, udder volume and teat characteristics also differed significantly among groups. Strong positive correlations were observed between several udder measurements and milk-production traits, suggesting that udder morphology may provide useful phenotypic information for evaluating milk-producing potential.