The Effect of Extruded Feed Additives with Balsamic Poplar Buds on Productivity of Dairy Goats

Abstract

Goats are important livestock species for meat and milk production. Meeting goat nutritional requirements is essential in maintaining goat health and the quality of derived food products. Dietary supplementation with certain bioactive compounds can improve the quality of diet and help to create a productive and economical nutrition program. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of several feed additives on the milk productivity of Saanen goats. According to the method of pairs of analogues, 72 dairy goats were distributed into four groups (18 goats/group): the control (CG) – the conventional diet with no additives: the experimental groups 1 (EG1) - the diet with 10% extract of balsamic poplar buds; the experimental groups 2 (EG2) – the diet with vegetable protein hydrolysate; the experimental groups 3 (EG3) – the diet with 10% extract of balsamic poplar buds with activated charcoal (EG3). Supplementation of feed with balsamic poplar buds increased goat's milk productivity by 34.2% without compromising milk quality, which was evaluated by the amount of milk and contents of milk fat and protein. Supplementation of feed with balsamic poplar bud extract and activated carbon contributed to an increase in milk yield by 25%. Such, using phytobiotic feed additives is a promising method in animal husbandry.