Nutrient digestibility of complete feed containing cocoa pulp with different fiber sources for local goat

Abstract

Cocoa pulp can be used as an alternative to molasses in a complete feed formulation with low-quality agricultural byproducts as the main fiber source. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutrient digestibility of complete feed containing cocoa pulp with different fiber sources for local goats. Twelve local male goats, aged 1-1.5-year-old, were placed in individual metabolism cage (1 goat/cage). Then each goat was randomly assigned to get one of three experimental diets according to a completely randomized block design consisting of three treatment diets and four blocks as replications. Initial body weight of the animal was used as the base for grouping. The experimental ration was P1 = complete feed with rice straw as the fiber source, P2 = complete feed with corn cobs as the fiber source, and P3 = complete feed with soybean straw as the fiber source. The three types of complete feed contained 10% of cocoa pulp. The analysis of variance showed that the treatment did not give a significant effect (P>0.05) on the nutrient digestibility of complete feed. In conclusion, the three types of fiber sources, i.e., rice straw, corn cobs, and soybean straw can be used in complete feed formulation containing 10% of cocoa without deteriorating effects on nutrient digestion of complete feed for the local goat.