Performance of Crossbred (Alpine × Local) Growing Goats Fed Sorghum Stover with Ensiled Molasses-Poultry Litter Based Supplements

Eighteen crossbred growing goats (19.7±1.1 kg BW) were randomly allotted to one of three supplements in a completely randomized design to investigate the effects of poultry litter-molasses plus whole cotton seed or feather meal supplementation given sorghum stover based diet on apparent digestibility and nitrogen retention. Goats in control group were fed sorghum stover (5.1% CP) alone while goats in T₂ and T₃ were supplemented with 120 g of molasses-poultry litter-cotton seed, (MPWCS, 15.2% CP) and molasses-poultry litter-feather meal (MPFM, 25.4% CP), respectively. Sorghum stover and supplements were offered individually once a day for 37 days period. Blood samples were collected on the last day of the experiment via jugular vein puncture for BUN estimation. Rumen fluid was collected using oesophageal tube and analysed for NH₃-N. Feed intake was not influenced by supplementation. DM and OM digestibility were similar in all the treatments. Goats in groups MPWCS and MPFM showed higher nitrogen retention (P<0.01) than in control group. NDF digestibility was not affected, however, ADF digestibility was lower (P<0.05) in treatment groups. NH₃- N concentration in rumen fluid was higher (P<0.01) in experimental goats whereas BUN concentration was not affected. Supplementation with molasses-poultry litter and whole cottonseed or feather meal improved rumen nitrogen availability and nitrogen retention in growing goats fed with sorghum stover.