A response of nutrient intake, nitrogen retention and live weight change of Bach Thao goat fed dietary cabbage (Brassica oleracea) residues
A study was implemented to evaluate the effects of replacing Para grass (Brachiaria mutica) by cabbage residue (Brassica oleracea) in the diets on feed utilization, rumen characteristics and daily weight gain in growing Bach Thao goat. It was a 4 x 4 Latin square using 4 male Bach Thao goats (24.3 ±0.92 kg). The treatments were replacing Para grass with 4 levels of cabbage residue (DM basis); 0, 25, 50 and 75% (CR0, CR25, CR50 and CR75). Concentrate and urea were supplied to balance level of protein in all treatments at 6.0 gCP/kg live weight. The experimental period was 14 days consisting of 7 days adaption and 7 days of sampling period. The results showed that DM intake was not different among the treatments which ranged from 705 to 760 g/day (p>0.05). Similarly CP intake tended to increase (149 -159 g/day) with increasing content of cabbage residue but not significantly different. As expected because of the lower NDF and ADF content in the cabbage residue, the NDF and ADF intakes reduced with increasing cabbage residue in the diets. Rumen pH, N-NH3 and VFA concentrations were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the treatments It cab be concluded that replacing para grass with cabbage residue up to 75% of the diet did not result in any adverse effects on feed digestibility and rumen parameters. However, Bach Thao goats fed with 50% replacement (CR50 treatment) resulted in better in growth gain.
