Evaluation of urea-treated maize stover based complete feed in goats

Four iso-nitrogenous complete feed (CP 12.3%) formulated using untreated and urea ammoniated maize (Zea mays) stover were evaluated in a 4 x 4 latin square design in Osmanbadi bucks (20.53±0.44kg). The bucks were fed either untreated ground maize stover and lucerne hay (R₁), untreated ground maize stover and concentrate mixture (R₂), urea treated ground maize stover and concentrate mixture (R₃) or urea treated chopped maize stover and concentrate mixture (R₄). Urea-ammoniation of maize stover did not improve the DMI. But, grinding of maize stover prior to urea-ammoniation increased the DM (P<0.05). The digestibility of nutrients (except hemicellulose) increased significantly (P<0.01), by the urea-ammoniation of maize stover. However, the digestibility of nutrients except EE in ground urea treated stovers was significantly (P<0.01), lower than that of chopped urea-treated stovers. N retention, DCP, TDN values of the rations were increased significantly (P<0.01) by urea-ammoniation and grinding has no advantage over chopping on nutritive value and N retention. Hence, processing beyond chopping prior to urea-ammoniation has no advantage on digestibility and nutritive value of maize stover in goats.