Determination of digestibility and nitrogen balance of Quercus coccifera and vetch hay (as reference) in goats
1991
Holzer, Z. | Ehrlich, A. (Agricultural Research Centre, Bet Dagan (Israel).)
About 40,000 ha of the hill area in Israel is covered by the Mediterranean scrub forest. A great part of that area is used, or is destined to be used, as a pasture source for beef and goat herds. Approximately 70% of the Mediterranean scrub forest is composed of Quercus coccifera and constitutes a great part of the diet of beef and goats. In a series of digestibility and nitrogen balance trials with goats, the nutritional values of Quercus coccifera and vetch hay (as reference) has been determined. The intake, per kg metabolic weight (Wo.75) was 63 and 94 g per goat per day for Q. coccifera and vetch hay, respectively. The organic matter digestibility coefficients were 46 and 61 in the same order. The nitrogen balance (g N retained per goat per day) was -0.6 and 4.9 for Q. coccifera and vetch hay, respectively. It appears that Q. coccifera, used as the sole feed for goats, does not supply fully the protein requirements for maintenance, although the energy requirements may be met
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