RESPONSE OF GOATS TO COMPLETE FEED INCORPORATING SORGHUM FORAGE SILAGE AND INDIGOFERA SP. SILAGE C L. Kaunang, N.H. Tuwaidan, J.R. Leke, M. M.Telleng, U. Paputungan, J. D.Kalele, S.S. Malalantang
Faculty of Animal Science, Sam Ratulangi University
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the response of goats to complete feed formulations containing sorghum forage silage and Indigofera sp. silage, with the goal of determining the most effective ration composition. The study was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and five replications, using 20 local male goats aged nine months. Each goat was housed individually in a 1x1 m pen equipped with a feeding trough. The dietary treatments were: R0: 100% sorghum silage (control) R1: 60% sorghum forage silage + 30% Indigofera sp. forage silage + concentrate (1% of body weight)- R2: 50% sorghum forage silage + 40% Indigofera sp. forage silage + concentrate (1% of body weight) and R3: 40% sorghum forage silage + 50% Indigofera sp. forage silage + concentrate (1% of body weight). Parameters measured included dry matter intake (DMI), daily weight gain (DWG), and blood metabolic profile. Analysis of variance revealed that the inclusion of sorghum forage silage and Indigofera sp. silage in complete feed significantly affected (P < 0.01) DMI. Post hoc analysis indicated that R3 produced significantly higher (P < 0.01) DMI compared with R0, R1, and R2. Treatment R2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than R1, and R1 was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than R0. The highest DMI was observed in R3. The feed treatments also had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on DWG. R3 yielded the highest DWG, which was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than R0, R1, and R2. R2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than R1, and R1 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than R0. In addition, the dietary treatments significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the blood metabolic status of goats. Overall, the R3 formulation comprising 40% sorghum forage silage, 50% Indigofera sp. forage silage, and concentrate at 1% of body weight resulted in the most favourable outcomes for goat performance.
