Enhancement of growth performance in pre-weaning suckling Boer kids supplemented with creep feed containing alfalfa

Abstract

Aim:This study examined the effects of creep feed (CF) supplementation (with or without Alfalfa) on the pre-weaning growth performance of nursing goat kids.Materials and Methods:A total of forty eight (48), 7 days old, single born kids (live weight 4.4±0.09 kg) were divided into three treatment groups, each containing eight males and eight females. All three groups had access to their dams’ milk (DM). The kids from the first treatment group had free access to CF containing alfalfa (CFA) while those from the second group had free access to CF without alfalfa. The third treatment group (control) had access to their DM only. All three groups were kept isolated from the dams from 800 to 1200 h and from 1400 to 1800 h while having access to CF.Results:Total weight gain and average daily gain of kids from CFA group (11.2±0.36 kg, 145.2±4.64 g) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than kids from CF (7.9±0.49 kg, 102.9±6.43 g) and DM (5.5±0.43 kg, 71.1±5.56 g) groups. The weaning weight of kids from CFA group (15.6±0.39 kg) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those from CF (12.1±0.56 kg) and DM (9.9±0.59 kg) groups.Conclusion:This result shows that supplementation of CF combined with alfalfa from birth to weaning enhances growth performance of cross-bred Boer goat kids.

Effects of creep feeding and its interactions with other factors on the performance of meat goat kids and dams when managed on pasture

“… Goetsch et al (2002) reported no increase in weight gain or kid weights when an 18% CP creep feed was consumed at 152 g/d on pasture from 6 to 19 wk of age. Creep feeding increased kid growth rates in Htoo et al (2015) with kids consuming 230 g/d of a 14% CP feed in a pen-based, intensive management system from 7 to 84 d of age. Differences in management systems likely explain differences among studies for kid responses to creep feed.…”

“…Effects on creep feeding on preweaning weight gain in lambs have been variable ( Glimp, 1971 ; Wilson et al, 1971 ; de Villiers et al, 2002 ; Brand and Brundyn, 2015 ). Two studies published on goats ( Goetsch et al, 2002 ; Htoo et al, 2015 ) have also produced mixed results. Despite limited data, numerous outreach publications exist guiding meat goat producers in creep feeding and there are various commercial creep feeds and creep feeders designed for meat goats available for producers to purchase.…”

Black soldier fly as feed ingredient for ruminants

“…The growing goat kids fed cricket creep feed had higher average daily gain (123 g/d) [ 12 ] compared to the BSF creep feed treatment (89 g/d). It is reported that kids with intensive management could increase growth rate with consumption of 230 g/d of creep feed containing 14% CP based alfalfa [ 18 ]. Other experiments reported that with the supplementation of 18% CP creep feed, the consumption is around 152 g/d and no difference in weight gain [ 19 ].…”

Monitoring Body Weight Gain of Goat Kids for Improving Productivity

“…Creep feed consists of crushed grains, and leaf meal of different fodder species can also be mixed with grains. Generally, kids of 3-4 weeks age, start nibbling, but they can be very selective, with preference shown for leguminous leaf meals, alfalfa in particular [30]. Leaf meals of Acacia, Sesbania, Leucaena and some species of Prosopis are also preferred.…”