Effect of different feeding levels on the productive and reproductive performance of Shami (Damascus) goats in the Jordan Valley
1996
Dayeh, R.A.A. | Tabbaa, M.J. | Harb, M.Y. (Jordan Univ., Amman (Jordan). Faculty of Agriculture)
This experiment studied the effect of level of concentrates feeding on the productive and reproductive performance of Damascus goats given shredded wheat straw (tibin) ad libitum. The three levels of concentrates were: low (LL); medium (ML); and high (HL) levels. Fifty-one goats between 2 to 5 years of age were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments. The first period of the experiment covered the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, while the second period covered the last 5 weeks of it. The third period extended from kidding to weaning 70 days later. During the first period, 0, 50, 0.75 and 1.0 kg/head/day of concentrate diet were provided to goats under LL, ML, and HL treatments, respectively. Goats of the three treatments were provided with an additional 250 g of concentrate during the second period. Also, during the third period, an additional 250 g of concentrate were provided. In the first and second periods, the individual intake oftibin was significantly (P 0.05) higher for goats under LL and ML than those under HL. In period 1 and 2, the final body weight, body condition score of goats under LL was significantly (P 0.05) lower than goats under HL. During the first period the individual intake of tibin was significantly (P 0.05) higher for goats under LL and ML than those under HL. The final body weight and body condition score of those under LL was significantly (P 0.05) lower than those under ML and HL. In addition, kids' birth weight, weaning weight, litter size at weaning and milk production were lower for goats under LL than that for goats under ML and HL. There was no significant difference (P 0.05) in fertility, prolificacy, and litter size at birth among the three groups. In early pregnancy, goats under LL were able to maintain body weight but not during late pregnancy and early lactation in contrast to goats under ML and HL treatments.
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