Restricted Feeding and Re-Alimentation: An Approach to Improve Growth Performance of Beetal Kids Under High-Input Feeding System
Restricted Feeding and Re-Alimentation: An Approach to Improve Growth Performance of Beetal Kids Under High-Input Feeding System
Muhammad Umar Farooq1, Kashif Ishaq1*, Muhammad Imran Khan1, Muhammad Farooq Iqbal1, Tanveer Ahmad1, Jamil Akbar1, Asim Fraz2, Sara Naeem1 and Aansa Latif1
ABSTRACT
The high input feeding system has been found most efficient in fodder-scarce areas of Pakistan. However, the economic worth of the system is questionable due to the high feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the goats. The current study was planned to improve the Beetal male kid’s performance using a compensatory growth tool. A total of twelve male Beetal kids with an average weight of 20±2 kg and approximately 6 months old were randomly selected and kept for 85 days including 15 days of an adjustment period. There were two phases of the experiment. During the restriction phase; the animals were divided into three groups i.e. T1=feeding @2% of body weight (BW), T2=feeding @3% of BW, and T3=feeding @4% of BW. In the re-alimentation phase; all the animals were fed ad-libitum. The animals were kept in individual pens and were offered total mixed pelleted ration by following NRC recommended feeding standards. All the animals had free access to fresh and clean water. They were kept under the same husbandry practices. The results showed that ADG was highest (P<0.001) in T3 (887 g/d) followed by T2 and T2 due to higher intake during restriction phase. However, this was reversed in re-alimentation phase where the ADG was highest (P<0.001) in T1 (153 g/d) followed by T2 (112.10 g/d) and T3 (100.08 g/d) mainly due to compensatory growth phenomena. The ADFI data also support the ADG trend as it was higher in the groups showing higher gains. This trend was also followed by body measurements. The FCR was significantly (P=0.014) lower (6.83) in the T1 group during the re-alimentation period followed by T2 and T3. Total feed cost was also significantly (P<0.05) lower in T1 (Rs. 1938). Serum glucose was also higher (P=0.04) in group T1 (63.11 mg/dl) and least in T3 (55.97 mg/dl). This is also confirming the physiological modification in feed restricted animals that are responsible for compensatory growth. It is concluded that the growth performance of Beetal male kids can be improved by giving them restricted feeding @2% BW followed by re-alimentation which also improves the feed efficiency.
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