Responses of boerka goats during transition period to low or high fat concentrate diets containing palm fatty acid distillate

Abstract

This experiment was aimed to study the responses of Boerka does (Boer × Kacang crosses) during the transition period to low or high fat concentrates. Thirty nine multiparous pregnant Boerka does with average BW and BCS of 40.6 ± 5.28 kg and of 3.21 ± 0.28, respectively were used. The animals were divided into three groups (n = 13 does), and individually housed in a raised-floor pens (1.2 × 1.5 m2/doe). Each group was randomly assigned to one of three concentrate diet treatments: LFD (low fat concentrate without palm fatty acid distillate/PFAD), HSFD (high fat concentrate with saponified PFAD), and HUFD (high fat concentrate with unsaponified PFAD). Brachiaria ruziziensis was offered as forage. Diet treatments were offered along 3 weeks prior to expected parturition to 3 weeks after parturition. Data were analysed as a completely randomized design and were averaged before statistical analyses. Diet effect on DMI was detected (P = 0.01). During the prepartum period the DMI in the HSFD group was consistently greater (P = 0.01) than in the HUFD group, while the DMI in the LFD group was not different (P = 0.56) to both the HSFD and HUFD groups. At parturition and postpartum period DMI in the HUFD group was consistently lower (P = 0.01) as compared to the LFD and HSFD groups. Body weight was not affected by dietary treatments (P = 0.41). Litter weight tended to be affected by diet treatments (P = 0.08). Birth weight of twins was affected by diet treatments (P = 0.03). The ratio of litter weight/does weight at parturition was not affected by diet treatments (P = 0.49). The milk fat contents were not different (P = 0.834) among the dietary groups, but milk protein content was highest (P = 0.03) in the LFD group. Blood NEFA and BHBA were greater (P = 0.04) in the HSFD or HUFD group at week 2 and 3 postpartum, while blood glucose level was highest in the LFD group at parturition (P = 0.01). Blood insulin and thyroxin were greater in the LFD group. It is concluded that during transition period the Boerka does responded better to low-fat concentrate compared to high fat concentrates when unsaponified PFAD was used, but reponded comparably to high fat diet when saponified PFAD was used.