Effects of grain sources and feeding methods, free-choice vs total mixed ration, on milk yield and composition of German Fawn x Hair crossbred goats in mid lactation

S Yurtseven,M Görgülü

doi:10.22358/jafs/67429/2004

Abstract

1. Diet selection and eating behaviour of lactating goats subjected to time restricted feeding in choice and single feeding system Murat Görgülü, Mustafa Boğa, Ahmet Şahin, Uğur Serbester, Hasan Rüştü Kutlu, Suat Şahinler Small Ruminant Research CrossRef

Highlights

Stall feeding practice for high yielding dairy goats includes two options, which are feeding high amount of concentrate during milking separately from roughage given ad libitum, and the use of TMR containing high level of concentrate (e.g., 60% or over)
The goats receiving feed ingredients as choice made a diet with lower crude fibre (CF), ADF and NDF contents by consuming higher amount of grain, soyabean meal, lower amount of wheat bran and lucerne hay during the period of 5-8 weeks when compared to the selection during the period of 1-4 weeks
The diet selected by the goats in MCF group contained higher (P0.05) and wheat bran, and less (P0.05) than the mixed ration with maize grain (MTMR) (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Stall feeding practice for high yielding dairy goats includes two options, which are feeding high amount of concentrate during milking separately from roughage given ad libitum, and the use of TMR containing high level of concentrate (e.g., 60% or over). Increasing concentrate level in the diet improves nutritional status of goats by increasing energy, protein, mineral and vitamin supply and optimizes the feed efficiency for growth, gestation or milk production (Cerillo et al, 1999). When the animal consumes high amount of concentrate, low ruminal pH may reduce fibre digestion, microbial growth and milk fat (Santini et al, 1992). Offering feed ingredients to animal as choice could have a potential to overcome these problems. Recent studies (Fedele et al, 2002; Görgülü et al, 2003) showed that goats can select their diet according to their nutrient requirements, and can consume high amount of concentrate without suffering any digestive problem by balancing fibre intake. Comparing TMR, increase in daily gain in lambs (Görgülü et al, 1996) and in milk yield in goats (Görgülü et al, 2003) was reported when feed ingredients were offered as choice

Methods

Results

Conclusion