Comparative digestibility of feedstuffs by various ruminants, specifically goats

The digestive system of the goat is similar to that of other ruminants. The capacity of the reticulorumen relative to the whole stomach is greater in goats (85 percent) than in sheep (73 percent) or cattle (64 percent). Dry matter intake of roughages per kg W0.75 is lower in goats compared to cattle but it tends to be higher relative to that of sheep, particularly with low-protein, high-fiber roughages. Retention time of digesta in the goat is shorter compared to that in cattle but similar to, or longer than, that of sheep despite variability among goat breeds. Goats living in arid environments have longer retention time and consequently better feed digestibility than those in temperate areas. The limited number of comparative studies between goats and other ruminants have shown no digestibility differences among domestic ruminants for most of the feedstuffs. However, with low-protein, high-fiber roughages goats were superior to other ruminants in their ability to digest organic matter, crude protein and particularly crude fiber. Higher crude fiber digestibility in goats compared to sheep was also obtained with corn or alfalfa silages. A better mastication of feed and longer rumination time by small ruminants, particularly by goats, could be responsible for the better digestibility of poor quality roughages compared to large ruminants. Larger counts of cellulolytic bacteria and increased recycling of urea could also contribute to the goat's ability for a better digestion of fiber. No differences between sheep and goats have been reported for rumen pH and rumen ammonia concentration, although rumen pH is always slightly lower in goats. Microbial protein (g/100 ml rumen liquor) at 3 hour postfeeding has been shown to be higher in goats than in sheep fed various roughages alone or with concentrates. The goat's ability to consume a variety of vegetation types not normally eaten by other ruminants, and its higher digestive efficiency for poor quality roughages, are two important factors favoring goat production in areas with low availability of forages

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	87746 Louca, A., 43144 Antoniou, T., 76459 Hatjipanayiotou, M., 6757 Dairy Goat Journal Publishing Co., Scottsdale, AZ (EUA), 33022 3. International Conference on Goat Production and Disease Tucson, AZ (EUA) 10-15 Ene 1982
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	Scottsdale, AZ (EUA) 1982
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