Abstract
Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding levels on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of fattening Korean native goats. Five Korean native goat (Capra hircus coreanae) bucks (38.0±1.7 kg) with an average age of 2.4-year-old were randomly allocated to one of five feeding levels (maintenance [M], 1.1 x M, 1.2 x M, 1.4 x M, and 1.6 x M). The experimental design was 5 × 5 Latin square design and all animals were housed individual pens (1.2 m × 0.9 m) for an adaption period of 2 weeks and collection period for 1 weeks. The average daily gain (P < 0.05) and nutrient digestibility (P < 0.01) were increased linearly in goat as feeding level increased. Rumen pH showed no significantly differences among feeding levels. Total volatile fatty acid, acetate and propionate concentrations were increased linearly (P < 0.01) and quadratically (P < 0.01) with increased feeding levels. Butyrate and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were linearly increased with increased feeding levels (P < 0.01), but valerate concentration did not differ among feeding levels. Blood metabolites did not differ among feeding levels except for albumin concentration which was linearly increased with increased feeding levels (P < 0.05). The fecal energy loss was not influenced by feeding levels, but digestible energy was increased linearly (P < 0.01) and quadratically (P < 0.05) with increased feeding levels. The metabolizable energy requirement was estimated using quadratic line model and ranged from 153 to 161 kcal per metabolic body weight based on average daily gain and ME intake. These results found that the increased feeding level might be improve an average daily gain and ruminal fermentation of Korean native goats in fattening phase. These results may also serve as a basis for the establishment of feeding standard of goats in Republic of Korea.
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