Authors : M. Ebrahimi, M.A. Rajion, Y.M. Goh, A.Q. Sazili, A.F. Soleimani and J.T. Schonewille
Abstract: Twenty four goats were allocated to three groups (n = 8) and fed either a control diet Without Oil Palm Fronds (CON), a diet incorporated with 25% Oil Palm Fronds (OPFM) or 50% Oil Palm Fronds (OPFH) for 100 days to evaluate their growth rates, carcass characteristics and subcutaneous fatty acid profiles. Animals in all three groups exhibited similar final body weights (p>0.05). The OPFH group showed a significant linear reduction (p<0.05) in dressing percentage, warm carcass weight and back fat thickness and total muscle when compared to the CON group. The total n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) concentrations in the subcutaneous fat of the OPFH animals were significantly higher (linear, p<0.05) than the CON group. The diet containing 25% of oil palm fronds did not produce any adverse effects on the growth performance and carcass characteristics. This demonstrates an environmental-friendly way of utilizing agricultural waste by products for the small ruminant industry in tropical countries growing oil palm tree.
M. Ebrahimi, M.A. Rajion, Y.M. Goh, A.Q. Sazili, A.F. Soleimani and J.T. Schonewille, 2013. Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Frond Feeding of Goats in the Humid Tropics. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 431-438.