1Department of Animal Nutrition, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana-141004, India
2Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana-141004, India
Department of Livestock Production Management, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana-141004, India
*Corresponding author: dhattarwalpriya@gmail.com
Online published on 2 January, 2025.
In a 120-day study, two types of total mixed ration (TMR, hay based i.e. H-TMR made up of sun-dried available green fodder in the form of hay mixed with a concentrate mixture, and green fodder based i.e. G-TMR consisted of chopped available green fodder blended with concentrate mixture) were compared with conventional (separate forage and concentrate feeding i.e. control) feeding system in terms of effects on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal fermentation patterns, hematological and blood biochemical parameters in Beetal kids. Twenty-four Beetal kids were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (n = 8) based on sex and body weight as follows: 1) Conventional feeding method as the control group (CON); 2) Hay-based TMR as H-TMR group; 3) Green fodder based TMR as G-TMR group. Most morphometric measurements were identical between the dietary treatments. However, abdominal width and chest width were significantly increased for the H-TMR group followed by G-TMR and CON groups (P<0.05). The rumen fermentation, hematological and serum biochemical indices were found to be comparable (P>0.05) indicating a normal physiological picture. The hemoglobin value (g/ dl) was found to be significantly higher for G-TMR (P<0.0). A significant increase (P<0.05) in propionate concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) for the kids fed hay-based TMR was also noticed. However, the relative proportion (%) of isovalerate was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher for G-TMR group as compared to H-TMR group. The DM intake (g/kg BW) was statistically higher (P<0.01) in green fodder-based TMR group than in the other groups. In conclusion, feeding hay based TMR to grower Beetal kids improved DMI along with significant increase in propionate concentration as compared to those conventional fed. Beetal kids fed with TMRs seemed to perform better without exerting any adverse effects on hematological parameters, blood metabolites, or liver enzymes.
Beetal goat, Rumen fermentation, Serum biochemical profile, Stall-fed, Total mixed ration
