Effects of Energy Feed Combinations and Non-Protein Nitrogen on Feed Intake and Nutrient Digestibility in Saanen Crossbred Goats

Abstract

This study was carried out from February to May 2024 at the experimental farm of An Giang University, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The experiment was conducted using a Latin square design on 4 male Saanen crossbred goat (25.2±1.06 kg). Treatments were maize and cassava chips (Ma.C); maize, cassava chips and urea (Ma.C.U); broken rice and cassava chips (BrR.C); broken rice, cassava chips and urea (BrR.C.U) in basal diet of premix, tofu waste, Operculina turpethum vines and fresh elephant grass ad libitum. than without. It was 7.68, 7.88, 8.43 and 8.80 MJ/goat/day corresponding to Ma.C, Ma.C.U, BrR.C and The result showed that dry matter intake per body weight (%) tended to increase (P>0.05) from Ma.C treatment to Ma.C.U, BrR.C and BrR.C.U treatments (2.67, 2.68, 2.79 and 2.85%, respectively). The ME consumption was higher (P>0.05) with urea BrR.C.U treatments. The dry matter digestibility (%) of BrR.C.U was higher (P<0.05) than Ma.C. treatment but it was not different (P>0.05) with BrR.C and Ma.C.U treatments (76.9, 71.1, 72.3 and 72.6%, respectively). The crude protein digestibility tended to be higher (P>0.05) with urea than without. In detail, It was 81.6, 78.2, 69.8 and 68.8% corresponding to Ma.C.U, BrR.C.U, Ma.C and BrR.C.U treatments. The nitrogen retention was lower (P>0.05) for the Ma.C treatment and higher in the BrR.C.U treatment (5.69 and 10.3 g/goat/day, respectively). The Ma.C and BrR.C treatments were not different (P>0.05) for nitrogen retention. Similarly, Ma.C.U and BrR.C.U were not different (P>0.05) for nitrogen retention. The daily weight gain was higher (P>0.05) with urea than without. In conclusion, the energy feed combination and without urea or urea that feed intake, nutrient value and nitrogen retention well from high to low were BrR.C.U, Ma.C.U, BrR.C and Ma.C treatments.