Lactation characteristics of Littoral Dinaric donkeys in an extensive pasture system

Abstract

The Littoral Dinaric donkey is one of three autochthonous donkey breeds in Croatia, preserved mainly in mountainous villages of Dalmatian Zagora. It belongs to the group of endangered breeds. By the size of its frame it is one of the smallest donkey breeds in the world. In the past donkeys have been used as working animals, but nowadays they are used for leisure, touristic purposes, programs of field riding, and meat and milk production. Some Littoral Dinaric donkey breeders are orienting to milk production through extensive production technologies. Due to the modest milk yield of the Littoral Dinaric breed, the object of this study was to determine lactation characteristics of Littoral Dinaric milk production in an extensive production system. Significant influence of the lactation stage in Littoral Dinaric mares was found on milk yield, milk fat and protein content as well as on somatic cell count (P < 0.01). No significant influence of lactation stage was found on lactose content in milk. The results of this study are partly similar to other research. The observed lactation period as well as the production results indicate that it is possible to produce higher milk yields by improving production technology, and, more considerable, by inclusion of smaller concentrate quantities in diet. The preliminary results of this research can be used to improve the production technology of ass milk for valuable functional food.