Effect of Varying Levels of Concentrate Feeding on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Parameters and Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Goat Kids

An experiment on 27 Barbari kids (67d old; 5.9±1.52 kg LW) in three equal groups assessed the influence of increasing concentrate level at 10 (10-C), 20 (20-C) g/kg LW or ad libitum (Ad-C) on performance, gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and haemato-biochemicals for 120d with free access to water, dry and green roughage. Concentrate feeding enhanced average daily gain (P<0.001), with the similar total feed DM intake in the three groups. However, DM intake through roughage and green reduced (P<0.005) with higher concentrate feeding. Feed efficiency for gain improved by concentrate feeding and the best FCR (4.7 kg feed/kg gain) was observed in Ad-C kids. Total ME and protein intake was similar, while efficiency of ME (MJ/kg gain; P<0.001) and protein (g/kg gain; P<0.082) increased with higher concentrate feeding. Rumen fluid pH and NH₃-N were different while TVFA were similar among three groups. Faecal egg count (FEC) in different groups showed a linear trend (P=0.075) of low prevalence with increase in concentrate feeding. The mean FEC was 2.6 times higher in 10-C kids (6891 eggs/g), 1.7 times in 20-C kids (4529 eggs/g FEC) compared to Ad-C kids (2609 eggs/g). Plasma protein and albumin reduced (P<0.05), while globulins, and plasma urea did not change, whereas blood Hb levels had increased (P<0.05), while WBC reduced (P<0.05) with higher concentrate levels. Concentrate feeding improved (P<0.05) carcass traits. It was concluded that, higher concentrate feeding promoted growth and lowered GI nematodes burdens, where animals consumed 57% concentrate in total diet.