• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 1993

Four isocaloric (68.71, 67.07, 66.68 and 66.25% TDN) and isonitrogenous (12.96, 13.36, 13.36 and 12.96% CP) diets without or with 20, 25 and 30% broiler litter were fed to 20 male kids for 90 days. Weight gain and feed efficiency were higher (p < 0.05) for kids offered control diets as compared to kids fed diets containing broiler litter. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the feed intake with increasing level of broiler litter in the diets. Digestibility for organic matter, crude protein and crude fibre were not affected (p > 0.05) by the inclusion of broiler litter in the diets, whereas inclusion of broiler litter depressed (p < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter and ash. Nitrogen balance was positive for all diets, however, nitrogen retention decreased (p < 0.01) with the increased level of broiler litter. Blood Na, K, Ca, P and urea-N were within normal range.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 1988

A comparative growth trial involving 12 Beetal and 12 Barbari kids was conducted for 120 days. The kids were allowed to suckle their dams and also offered ad libitum green fodder and concentrate at 2% of their liveweight. Beetal kids attained higher (P<.01) weight, consumed more (P<.01) milk, green fodder and concentrate, and utilized protein efficiently as compared to Barbari kids. However, variation due to sex was non-significant. Blood glucose, protein and cholesterol levels increased (P<.01) with increasing age irrespective of sex and breed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 1998

Seasonal variations in the feeding behaviour of Jamunapari and Barbari goat breeds and their utilization of browse and grass nutrients was evaluated in a promising 3-tier (Leucaena leucocephala- Dichro-stachys nutan-Cenchrus ciliaris) reconstituted pasture during summer, rainy and winter season of the years 1987 and 1988. Distinct diurnal pattern of feeding was observed with both the breeds. Jamunapari goats spent significantly more time foraging during winter season (352.0 min) followed by summer (306.0 min) and least in rainy season (277.0 min). Though no significant difference was observed in the relative time spent by Barbari goats on grazing activities during summer and winter season, they spent significantly more (p < 0.05) time during rainy season as compared to other two seasons. The preference of grazing goats for certain plant species in relation to others was evident with distinct seasonal and breed variations. DM intake (g/kg $BW^{075}$) varied significantly (p < 0.05) from season to season. Among the browse. L. leucocephala was prefered over D. nutan irrespective of breed over the seasons. There was no breed difference in DM intake, or proximate composition and nutrient digestibility of ingested herbage. The available nutrient content of ingested forage was found sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of adult goats for maintenance (NRC, 1981). The reconstituted 3-tier pasture dominated by plant species like L. leucocephala and Cenchrus species appear to have great potential to sustain the nutrient requirement of goats without adverse seasonal fluctuations in pasture quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.483-486
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• 2000

The influence of feed allowance on intake and nutrient utilization by Barbari goats given green maize (Zea mays) and potential feeding value of left-overs were studied. The goats were offered food at 3 levels to give left-overs of about 20% (T-1), 35% (T-2) and 50% (T-3) DM of offered amount. A marked effect of refusal rate on intake and digestibility of nutrients was found. The DMI, g/kg $W^{0.75}$ increased from 39.86 in T-1 to 50.91 and 66.55 g in groups T-2 and T-3, respectively. Allowing selective consumption at higher levels (T-2 and T-3), the intake of TDN and DCP from green maize was found not only to meet the maintenance requirement but provided surplus energy and protein for substantial production. The variability in diet selectivity between goats under different treatments was pronounced. As the level of food excess increased to T-3, the left overs had a higher IVDMD and crude protein and decreased cell wall constituents (p<0.05). Considering the substantial increase in intake and digestibility from feeding green maize at high allowances to goats, further studies are needed to develop practical feeding strategies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1437-1449
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• 2006

Thirty six pre-weaned Barbari kids at 4 months age were reared on four rations computed using coarse cereal grains and by-products of pulses and oil seeds with Crude Protein (CP) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) of 12 and 55% (Low protein Low energy); 12 and 60% (Low protein High energy); 14 and 55% (High protein Low energy); and 14 and 60% (High protein High energy), respectively. After 180 days on feed, male animals ($4{\times}5=20$) were slaughtered to study the effect of diet on carcass characteristics and meat quality. To asses the effect, if any, of such diet on product quality, meat balls were prepared and evaluated for quality changes when fresh as well as during storage ($-20{\pm}1^{\circ}C$). Feeding a ration with CP12 and TDN 60% (LH) to kids produced animals with highest slaughter weight (20.3 kg) yielding higher carcass weight and dressing percentage, lean (65.6%) and fat (6.6%) contents with low bone and trim losses. Although total variety meat yield was markedly higher in HL, the non-carcass fat deposition was relatively higher in LH carcasses. The water activity ($a_w$) of fresh goat meat ranged from 0.994-0.995 and total cholesterol 72.8-90.5 mg/100 g meat. The pH was high in HL and HH meat resulting in decreased ($p{\leq}0.05$) extract release volume (ERV). Meat balls were prepared using meat obtained from goats fed different rations (treatments) and stored at $-20{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. They were evaluated on day 0 and months 1, 2, 3, 4 for physicochemical, microbiological and organoleptic changes. Overall moisture (%), $a_w$, TBA number and pH value were 67.9, 0.987, 0.17, 6.6 respectively and were not affected by treatments except pH that was significantly ($p{\leq}0.01$) lower on LH. As the storage period advanced moisture, pH, $a_w$ and TBA number increased irrespective of treatments. Feeding various diets had no marked effect on microbial load of meat balls but with increasing storage period Standard Plate Count (SPC) and psychrotrophs declined ($p{\leq}0.01$). Treatment LL and LH produced meat balls with better flavour.