Effect of Molasses Level on Hardness, Storage Durability and Chemical Composition of Densified Complete Feed

Abstract

Densified complete feed (DCF) is a formulated feed that produces through the blending of feedstuffs in the desired proportion to provide balanced nutrition for animals. The DCF gives a good impact on animal performance and reduce the feed cost for farmers. However, there is lacking of DCF production for goat consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of molasses as binder on hardness, durability and chemical composition of DCF. In preparation of DCF, the locally available feed ingredients such as oil palm frond were collected and the making process of complete feed blocks was referred. The DCF was made manually including 3% and 6% molasses level, and then prepared to fulfil the nutrient requirement of growing goats as recommended by National Research Council. The durability was carried out on days 0, 7, 14 and 28 by comparing the hardness, dry matter (DM), and colony forming unit (CFU) of each molasses rate of DCF. Both molasses of DCF had shown a decreasing trend on durability from days 0 to 28. Regardless of durability, the DCF with 3% molasses had greater hardness (2.1 kg/cm2), higher DM content (93.2%) and lower CFU count (1.3 ×104 CFU ml−1) than that of 6% molasses rate of DCF. Both different rates of molasses of DCF had no significant (p>0.05) effect on crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and ash contents. The present study suggests that 3% molasses of DCF is preferable in terms of longer storage, while 6% molasses of DCF may be more palatable for the ruminants.