Does initial body condition affect wether kid feed intake and performance when fed alfalfa or Lespedeza cuneata L.?

Abstract

Legumes with excessive condensed tannins may become unpalatable to ruminants; however, body condition may affect feed intake. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of goats with different initial bodies condition scores fed pellets composed of pure alfalfa, sericea lespedeza, and this with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for 35days. Goats had compensatory gain, once no difference (P>0.05) among body scores was obtained in final body weight. Goats in low body scores had greater (P≤0.05) average daily gain. About feed intake, no differences among legume diets were found in the high diet group. In most of the variables, animals in the high group kept greater their body measures, as well as legumes could be similar (P>0.05), despite of SL quality. Pellets made from sericea and plus PEG decreased (P≤0.05) gases productions. Goats in low body conditions have compensatory gain when fed either sericea or plus PEG, both viable substitutes for alfalfa. Body measurements are a tool to predict body weight, in spite of moderate correlations. Pellets made from sericea can decrease feed energy loss via CH4 emissions and provide an alternative N pathway.