Effects of grazing and stall feeding on the growth of castrated goats using different feed supplements : terminal report

The low level of goats' productivity in the Philippines at present may be caused by underfeeding, diseases and parasites, and poor husbandry practices. A research study dealing with goats feeding was undertaken in order to determine the effects of different feeds supplement on growth rate, comparison between stall feeding and grazing and economics of raising goats in total confinement and grazing. Forty-two (42) castrated goats with ages ranging from 5 to 6 months were initially utilized as experimental animals after grouping them into six treatments. Four treatment groups were raised in total confinement while the other two were allowed to graze. Two goats were removed from each treatment when some of them got sick during the middle part of the feeding trials. Three different concentrate rations were formulated and fed to three treatment groups. Copra meal, poultry manure and dried ipil-ipil leaves were used as main components of each ration. The feeding trials lasted for 182 days and the experimental goats were weighed and the bodies measured for height, length and heart girth. Among the concentrate feed supplement given to the goats, the one which consisted of 20% rice bran and 70% copra meal gave better result than those given 20% rice bran, 20% copra meal, and SO% poultry manure; and 20% rice bran and 70% ipil-ipil leaf meal. The group of animals fed with the concentrate containing poultry manure gave the poorest result. The grazing animals particularly those given supplemental feeding were found to give better results than the stall fed goats. Economic wise, the grazing system of feeding is more economical