Effect of buffer supplementation on nutrient utilization in lactating Barbari goats

To study the effect of buffers on mineral utilization, rumen characteristics and excretion behaviour twenty lactating Barbari does were allotted to four treatments on the basis of their phenotypic and productive features and given diet containing legume roughage, concentrate and mineral mixture to meet their requirement with buffers (sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide in 2:1) at 4 levels i.e. 0, 0.75, 1.50 and 2.25% of DMI assumed to be 4% of B.W. The pH, different fractions of N and VFA at 0,2, 4 and 6h of feeding were determined after 21 days of preliminary feeding for 5 consecutive days. The excretion behaviour in terms of defications and urinations, their frequency and quantities were recorded during the excretion behaviour trial of 10 days after 25 days period of preliminary feeding. The data were statistically treated. DMI was significantly higher in T₃ and T₄ followed by T₂ and T₁. TVFA, acetates, isobutyrate, total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen content and A:P ratio and pH increased and butyrate propionate, valerate and acidity were decreased due to increased level of buffers whereas isovalerate did not show any pattern in the rumen liquor. Total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen increased with the increased interval after feeding the same, No. of faecal droppings excreted at a time, total DM excreted at a time and in a day were maximum in T₄ and were positively related to the doses of buffer. It can be concluded that addition of buffer in goat nutrition increased DMI, TVFA and A:P ratio and the rate of excretion which indirectly influenced the productivity of the animals.