Utilization of Calcium in Lactating Goats at Different Levels of Protein Feeding

Eighteen Beetal goats in early stage of lactation were divided into 3 groups following a completely randomized design. There were three treatments of 3 levels of DCP, viz., 125%(A), 100%(B) and 75%(C) of the Morrison standard with same energy level. At mid lactation when a metabolism trial was conducted, the DCP intakes were 9.27, 8.05 and 6.39 g per kg W^0.75 respectively in group A, B and C (P <0.01). The respective Ca intakes were 0.664, 0.636 and 0.628 g per kg W^0.75. Neither the milk yield nor the level of Ca in the milk of goats had any significant difference due to the treatment effect. However, the secretion of Ca as percentage of total intake was significantly (P <0.05) higher in group A as compared to group B and C. Ca requirement for maintenance and milk production calculated by partitioning the total intake using multiple regression analysis were 0.54 g/kg W^0.75 and 1.16 g/g of its secretion in milk respectively.