Effect of Physical Form and Level of Wheat Straw Inclusion on Growth Performance and Blood Metabolites of Fattening Goat

Abstract

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.

Effect of Feeding Mash or Pelletized Sugarcane Bagasse Based Diet on Nutrients Digestibility, Some Blood Constituents and Growth Performance of Growing Crossbred Goats

“…Growing crossbred Boer goats consumed 34% more pellets (P < 0.01) than mash-based diets (Table 2). These findings are consistent with research published by Malik et al (2020) which shown that goats given pelleted total mixture rations (TMR) consumed more dry matter (p<0.05) than goats fed chopped TMR. Growth performance is mainly determined by total feed intake and the total quantity of nutrients that animals can utilize per unit of ingested feed.…”

Protein supplement potential of Dodonaea angustifolia leaves by replacing atella on nutrient utilization and performance of Farta sheep fed natural pasture hay basal diet

“…Hence, the observed CP content of natural pasture hay in the current study was lower than the maintenance requirements of sheep. This might be attributed to the late harvesting stage and forage species composition (Malik et al., 2020). Natural pastures in Ethiopia are managed in free grazing and subsequently the forage harvested like this is low in biomass and quality (Agza et al., 2013).…”

“…This might be attributed to the late harvesting stage and forage species composition (Malik et al, 2020). Natural pastures in Ethiopia are managed in free grazing and subsequently the forage harvested like this is low in biomass and quality (Agza et al, 2013).…”

Roughage quality determines the production performance of post-weaned Hu sheep via altering ruminal fermentation, morphology, microbiota, and the global methylome landscape of the rumen wall

“…Typically, ruminant diets are composed mainly of concentrates, silage, roughage, and other feed additives. In modern intensive production systems, roughage, which is mostly fibrous plant-derived feed ingredients, usually constitutes approximately 20%-60% of the dry matter weight in a conventional ruminant ration (Suaŕez et al, 2007;Malik et al, 2020;Yi et al, 2022). Thus, the characteristics and prices of roughage are not only the key determinants influencing the production performance and product quality of ruminants, but also the pivotal factors affecting livestock rearing profit.…”