Effect of Feeding Systems on Feed Intake, Eating Behavior, Growth, Reproductive Performance and Parasitic Infestation of Black Bengal Goat |
M. Moniruzzaman, M. A. Hashem, S. Akhter, M. M. Hossain |
|
|
|
|
Abstract |
The experiment was conducted to find out the effect of 4 feeding systems on growth, feed intake, eating behavior, lactation performance, gestation period, post-partum heat period, conception rate and parasitic infestation of Black Bengal goat. Twenty four does of approximately 1 year of age were randomly selected for 4 treatment (feeding systems) groups having 6 replications in each. Treatments were stall feeding (T1), tethering (T2), restricted grazing (T3) and grazing (T4). T1 group was housed continuously and adequate amounts of natural grass were supplied for ad libitum feeding. T2 group was tethered for grazing natural grass from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. being moved at one hour intervals. Goats of T3 group were allowed grazing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. T4 group was grazed from 8 a. m. to 4 p.m. Concentrate supplement was given at the rate of 150 g per day per goat for all of the treatment groups. Duration of experiment was 219 days. Daily live weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in case of stall fed goats than that of others. DM intake also significantly (p<0.05) differed among the treatment groups and was 3.40 3.95, 3.76 and 4.05 per cent of their live weight for stall feeding, tethering, restricted grazing and grazing groups, respectively. Rate of rumination was significantly (p<0.05) higher in case of tethering group of goats than that of others. Birth weight of kids, milk yield, lactation period and post-partum heat period were significantly higher in case of stall fed goats than others. Tethering group showed significantly (p<0.05) higher litter size than others. Infestation rate of Fasciola was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the grazing group. In conclusion, it may be stated that among these feeding groups overall performance of stall fed goats was more satisfactory, and that the tethering group showed better performance than the others. |
Keywords:
Feeding System; Intake; Growth; Reproduction; Goat |
|