Effect of Rumen Degradable Protein Concentrations on Nutrient Digestibility, Growth Performance and Blood Metabolites in Beetal Kids

Volume 2 - Issue 5

Muhammad Sharif*, Hammad Qamar and Ayesha Abdul Wahid*

Received:August 01, 2019;   Published:August 19, 2019

DOI: 10.32474/CDVS.2018.02.000150

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Abstract

This research study was planned to evaluate the influence of various rumen degradable protein levels on growth performance, nutrient intake and digestibility, blood metabolites and nitrogen balance in male Beetal kids. Twenty kids having 5-6 months of age were distributed into four groups. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated containing 35, 45, 55 and 65% rumen degradable proteins and were represented as 35RDP, 45RDP, 55RDP and 65RDP, respectively. Feed was offered twice a day. The experiment lasted for 90 days during which data about feed intake/ refusal and body weight was recorded. Blood samples (n=3) from each group were collected fortnightly to determine BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and pH. Higher dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber intake and digestibility were observed in goats offered 65RDP diet as compared to those fed 55RDP, 45RDP and 35RDP diets. Blood urea nitrogen and nitrogen balance were increased in goats fed 65RDP diet than those fed other diets. Better weight gain was achieved by goats fed 65RDP diet than other treatments. This study revealed that 65RDP diet increased nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, growth rate and nitrogen balance and proved to be the best in terms of cost benefit analysis in goats as compared to 35RDP, 45RDP and 55RDP diets. Further research is needed to devise an effective program through the use of various levels of RDP and RUP using large number of goats in order to harvest the real benefits of the research.

Keywords: Protein Degradability; Goats; Intensive Feeding; Nitrogen Balance; Digestibility

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Results| Discussion| Acknowledgement| References|