Intake and digestibility of Acacia macracantha and A. tamarindifolia in mixed rations with agricultural byproducts in goats

Abstract

Intake and digestibility of leaves, Acacia macracantha (Am) and A. tamarindifolia (At), in rations mixed with ammoniated rice straw (R) and maize hominy (C), was evaluated for growing goats. 8 goats (20.5 kg liveweight) were used in the experiment. A complete randomized experimental design with a factorial (2x2) arrangement was conducted. The factors were: 1. Am and At; 2. Two different inclusion levels: low (18.75%) (L) and high (37.5%) (H). The intake of Am was higher (803 g DM/day) compared with At (638 g DM/day). Intake at different inclusion levels did not differ between species (H=685 and L=765 g/goat/day, P=0.247). The digestibility of the two Acacia species differed: DM, Am=80.02 and At=74.62%; NDF, Am=80.33 and At= 74.79%; hemicellulose, Am=94.35 and At= 88.50%. It was concluded that intake and digestibility of Am was higher than of At.