Effect of Physical Form and Level of Wheat Straw Inclusion on Growth Performance and Blood Metabolites of Fattening Goat

摘要

The growth of small ruminant production is critical as the increasing human population continues to consume meat. An intensive and sustainable fattening system requires faster gains and fewer labor requirements at a lower cost. The current experiment was planned to evaluate the effects of pelleted and conventional total mix ration (TMR) with 15% and 25% wheat straw on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balancing, liver enzymes, blood metabolites, and complete blood counts. The feed intake and growth performance improved in both pelleted TMR treatments. The rumen pH was comparatively higher in those goats fed conventional TMR; however, in pelleted TMR the pH was greater than the threshold level set for subacute ruminal acidosis. Nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balancing, blood metabolites, complete blood count, and liver enzymes were not influenced by straw level or physical form of diet.