Abstract
Simple SummaryThe growth of small ruminant production is critical as the increasing human population continues to consume meat. An intensive and sustainable fattening system requires faster gains and fewer labor requirements at a lower cost. The current experiment was planned to evaluate the effects of pelleted and conventional total mix ration (TMR) with 15% and 25% wheat straw on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balancing, liver enzymes, blood metabolites, and complete blood counts. The feed intake and growth performance improved in both pelleted TMR treatments. The rumen pH was comparatively higher in those goats fed conventional TMR; however, in pelleted TMR the pH was greater than the threshold level set for subacute ruminal acidosis. Nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balancing, blood metabolites, complete blood count, and liver enzymes were not influenced by straw level or physical form of diet.The inclusion of straw in high concentrate total mixed rations (TMRs) of male fattening goats can provide the necessary fiber to prevent ruminal acidosis and maintain growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the physical form (PF) of the diet (pelleted vs. conventional) and the straw level (SL) of wheat straw (WS) (15% versus 25%) in total mixed rations on feed intake, growth, total tract digestibility, and blood metabolites of fattening goats. Thirty-two male Beetal goats (27.4 ± 0.28 kg body weight (BW)) were divided randomly into the following four dietary treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (n = 8/treatment): (1) CTMR15 (conventional TMR containing 15% WS), (2) CTMR25 (conventional TMR containing 25% WS), (3) PTMR15 (pelleted TMR containing 15% WS), and (4) PTMR25 (pelleted TMR containing 25% WS). Both conventional and pelleted 15% WS TMR had 33.7% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 19.3% acid detergent fiber (ADF), whereas in 25% WS TMR the NDF and ADF contents were 38.7% and 22.9%, respectively. The experimental diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous (crude protein (CP) = 15%). The dry matter intake (DMI) (1.265 vs. 1.044 kg/day) and average daily gain (ADG) (0.176 vs. 0.143 kg/day) were higher (p < 0.05) in pelleted vs. conventional TMR-fed goats. Irrespective of the PF of the TMR, the 15% WS-fed animals had greater (p < 0.05) DMI (1.206 vs. 1.102 kg/day) and ADG (0.172 vs. 0.144 kg) when compared to those fed on 25% WS diets. Furthermore, feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) was higher (p < 0.05) in the 25% WS-fed goats when compared with the 15% WS-fed animals. Digestibility coefficients, nitrogen balancing, hepatic enzymes, blood metabolites, and hematological parameters were similar (p > 0.05) across all treatments. In conclusion, feeding pelleted TMR with WS improved DMI and growth performance as compared to those fed conventional TMR, and 15% WS performed better than 25% WS without exerting any adverse effects on blood metabolites, liver enzymes, or hematological parameters.
Highlights
Fattening animals are fed on high concentrate diets to achieve faster growth rates and to reduce the duration of the fattening period [1]
dry matter intake (DMI) and total DMI were affected by the physical form (PF) of diet and straw level (SL)
Goats fed on the pelleted total mixed ration (PTMR) had a greater DMI (p < 0.05) as compared to that on the conventional TMR (CTMR) (Table 3)
Summary
Fattening animals are fed on high concentrate diets to achieve faster growth rates and to reduce the duration of the fattening period [1]. Total mixed ration (TMR) is a commonly used method of feeding livestock that ensures a balanced consumption of nutrients, minimizes the chances of feed selection, and improves animal performance by stabilizing the ruminal environment [2]. Crop residues—mainly wheat straw (WS)—constitute a key component of livestock feeding [3]. Wheat straw has high neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents (81%), which can help to stabilize the ruminal environment of fattening animals fed on diets with a higher concentrate level. Recent developments in feeding processing have suggested that straw sources can be ground and successfully pelleted as a TMR. Straw-based pelleted TMR is an innovative technology that minimizes the issues related to handling, storage, and transportation of bulky straws [8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
