Authors : N.K. Gurung, S.G. Solaiman, D.L. Rankins and W.H. McElhenney
Abstract: Objectives were to evaluate, the effects of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) on feed intake, growth, gain efficiency, selected blood metabolites and carcass quality of growing Kiko x Spanish intact male kids. Twenty-four male goats (28.9±1.28 kg BW and 4-5 months of age) were stratified by weight and randomly assigned to diets containing 48.4% Bermudagrass Hay (BGH) and 51.6% concentrate mix containing 0, 10.3, 20.6 and 31.0% of DDGS on a DM basis (6 goats diet-1). Feed intake was monitored daily. Body weight was monitored every 4 weeks and blood samples were collected at the start and end of the trial. After 57 days, goats were harvested and carcass characteristics were determined. Feed intake, average daily gain, gain efficiency, selected blood metabolites and carcass data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design. Initial BW (p = 0.22), final BW (p = 0.39), Average Daily Gain (ADG; p = 0.62), DM intake (p = 0.62) and Gain to Feed ratio (G:F; p = 0.84) were not different among treatments. There were no effects of DDGS on plasma urea nitrogen (p = 0.17). Serum cholesterol concentrations increased linearly (p<0.001) with increasing levels of DDGS. Dressing percent (p = 0.18) and rib eye area (p = 0.73) remained similar. Body wall fat (p = 0.45) and longissisimus muscle area (p = 0.73) values were unaffected. Results indicated that DDGS is a viable feedstuff for meat goats and up to 31% of DDGS can be included in the diet on a DM basis for growing goats without any compromise in DM intake, growth performance and carcass quality.
N.K. Gurung, S.G. Solaiman, D.L. Rankins and W.H. McElhenney, 2009. Effects of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles on Feed Intake, Growth Performance, Gain Efficiency and Carcass Quality of Growing Kiko x Spanish Male Goats. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 2087-2093.