Growth Of Goat Kids Research Articles

Effect of supplementation of cotton seed oil and its bypass fat on nutrient intake, utilization and growth in goat kids

Effect of supplementation of cotton seed oil and its bypass fat on nutrient intake, utilization and growth in goat kids

Potential of waste flowers used as feed additive on the performance of goat kids

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of temple waste flowers as feed additive on the growth of goat kids. Marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers constituted the bulk of WFs with negligible red roses (Rosa indica L). Marigold flowers as compared to rose flowers contained high (P<0.01) total phenols and flavonoids; and low (P<0.01) anthocyanins, saponins and vitamin C content. The in vitro studies revealed that the supplementation of WFs at 3 and 5% improved (P<0.01) digestibility of nutrients and VFAs production as compared to control. NGP at t½ increased (P<0.05) linearly up to 4% WFs supplementation and methane production decreased (P<0.05) at all levels of supplementation. Fifteen Beetal goat kids divided into three equal groups were fed TMR, or TMR supplemented with WFs at 3 or 5% of DM intake for 90 days. The daily DM consumed by the animals was similar in all the groups. The digestibility of proximate constituents at 3% level of WF was comparable with control TMR, but depressed (P<0.05) at 5% level of supplementation. The digestibility of cell wall constituents and N retention were not affected by WF supplementation. The average daily gain in weight was improved considerably. It was concluded that bio-active compounds present in WFs reduced the methane emission, resulting in improvement in nutrient utilization and growth of goat kids.

Effect of different level of azolla meal on nutrient utilization and growth performance in goat kids: Influence of azolla meal on nutrient utilization and growth in goat kids

An attempt is made to assess nutritional potential of Azoll meal in a total mixed ration (TMR) at different dietary level on nutrient utilization and metabolic status of goats under hot humid agro climatic condition in Bihar. All the standard managemental practices were followed during experimental period. Eighteen growing male kids of 3-4 months age with average body weight of 5.72± 0.88 kg were distributed into three groups of six animals each on the basis of body weight in a randomized block design. The animals were fed graded level of Azolla meal (0, 20 and 40 %) mixed in concentrate mixture and green fodder berseem. In this study different parameter like feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, digestibility of nutrient, blood bio-chemicals, serum biochemistry of Black Bengal goats (cross) were observed, respectively. This experiment was conducted for 90 days on 18 male kids. The total DMI (g/d) of T1, T2 and T3 group were 458.12, 449.54 and 494.66 respectively. The intake of DM in each group was comparable and so is the R:C ratio. However, CP, DCP and TDN obtained is quite significant in T2 group than T1 and T3 group. The digestibility of other nutrients such as OM, NDF, ADF, CP, EE, CF, TA and NFE were numerically higher in T2 group lowest in T3group inclusion which might be due to more inclusion of azolla i.e 40% azolla in concentrate mixture. The digestibility percentage of dry matter was from58.16 in T3 to 63.15 in T2 group. The final body weight was higher in T2 and lowest in T3 group as compared to control group. The body weight (kg) and average daily gain (g/d) was significantly higher (P≤0.05) in T2 as compared to T1and T3 group. The ADG obtained was highest in T2 group (60.33 g/d) and lowest in T3 group (45.66 g/d). The total DMI by the animals of T2 group was higher than T3 and T1groups, respectively. The FCR in T2 (20% Azolla meal) supplemented group was lower than T3 (40% Azolla) and T1 group. The body weight changes observed at sixth fortnight was significant in T2 group (20% azolla meal). The weight gained after sixth fortnight was significantly higher in T2 group, i.e (5.73 to 11.16 kg) in T2 group, (5.76 to 10.29 kg) in T1 group and (5.66 to 9.77 kg) in T3 group.

Effect of electronic identification with ruminal bolus on growth parameters and stomach development in young goat kids

Although most of the European goat farms are dairies, there are a significant number of herds dedicated to meat production as the main product. Due to the current policy of food safety in European Union, the traceability, particularly the electronic identification, is taken into consideration; however, the effect of this electronic identification has not been studied on goat kids for fattening. For this reason, the effect of the ruminal bolus on the growth of goat kids and the development of their stomachs were studied. At 16 kg, animals were randomly assigned in two groups: control (n=23) and bolus (n=27), the latter identified with Inoxeramic Bolus. Both of them were slaughtered at 24 kg. Statistical differences in growth parameters and stomach development were not observed, except in the reticulum-omasal orifice diameter, which was bigger in the bolus group. Moreover, when the breed was taken into account (Majorera, Palmera and Tinerfeña), interbreed differences were found in orifice diameter and empty rumen–reticulum weight, due to treatment (P<0.05).

Influence of feeding a milk replacer deficient in α-linolenic acid on fatty acid composition of various tissues in goat kids

Goat kids were fed for 5 weeks milk replacers with or without α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3, ALA) and growth performance, plasma lipids and fatty acid composition of red blood cells, adipose tissue, liver, kidney, lymph node and spleen were examined. Ten animals were either given a milk replacer with 1.3% (% of total fatty acids) linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6, LA) and 0.6% ALA or a milk replacer (ALA-free) with 1.2% LA and no ALA. The diets did not contain eicosapentaenoic (C20:5 n-3) or docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3). Both experimental milk replacers contained 224 g crude protein and 17 MJ metabolizable energy per kg air-dry matter. Crude fat contents were 131 and 124 g/kg air-dry matter in the control and ALA-free milk replacer, respectively. Growth performance of the goat kids was not affected by dietary treatment. The ALA-free milk replacer decreased the concentrations of plasma total and LDL cholesterol. After feeding the ALA-free diet, ALA was not detectable in any of the tissues and the erythrocytes. Except for adipose tissue and red blood cells, there was still eicosapentaenoic acid in the tissues of the goat kids fed the diet deficient in ALA, but the levels were markedly reduced. The present study shows that dietary ALA is not essential for growth in goat kids for a period of up to 5 weeks after birth. It is suggested that at birth the goat kids had sufficiently large stores of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent deficiency when fed the ALA-free milk replacer.

Influence of pre- and postpartum nutrition on growth of goat kids

Effects of change in nutritional treatment in grazing goats from 4 weeks before parturition to weaning of kids at 12 weeks, on doe weight, milk yield, kid birth weight, mortality and growth up to weaning were studied. Two groups of a mixture of feral and crossbred goats grazed on barrel medic ( Medicago truncatula), blue crowfoot ( Erodium crinitum) and lucerne ( Medicago sativa) pasture or sparse, heavily grazed rye grass ( Lolium perenne). These pastures are designated “high” and “low”, respectively. “Low” plane feral and crossbred goats lost 21 and 13% in liveweight, respectively; had significantly lighter kids at birth (2.9 vs. 3.2 kg), lower kid survival (64 vs. 86%), lower milk yield by 24% and lower daily kid growth (192 vs. 225 g) than the high group. However, milk yield was not significantly different in early lactation in spite of significant differences in goat weights. Kid survival was mainly dependent on birth weight with maximum mortality occurring at or below a birth weight of 2.5 kg and a Chill Index around 1000 kJm −2 h −1. Kid growth was also dependent on birth weight followed by maternal nutrition, breed and sex. Birth weight had more than twice the effect of milk intake and more than 10 times the effect of breed on kid growth. When kids were compared at the same birth weight, there was no significant effect of breed on growth.