Effects of dietary supplementation with different concentration of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation indices of Nubian goats

Abstract

Background Molasses is a potential energy supplement; extensively used to improve growth performance, milk and meat characteristics in goats at relatively low concentrations of 5–40% of the diet. Few data are available concerning feeding molasses to goat kids; therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with higher concentrations of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation indices. Twenty male Nubian goat kids (4–6 months old; 9–10 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 4 groups receiving different concentration of molasses: 0% (M-0), 30% (M-30), 40% (M-40) and 45% (M-45) for 5 weeks. Feed (DFI) and water intake (DWI) were measured daily, while the blood and rumen liquor samples were collected weekly. Results The DFI increased and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased in all molasses-supplemented groups (P ≤ 0.05), whereas DWI increased in M-30 and decreased in M-45 (P ≤ 0.05). The final BW and average daily gain (ADG) increased (P < 0.0001) in groups M-30 and M-40 compared to the control and M-45. Blood pH was significantly influenced by dietary molasses concentration (MC) and the duration of molasses supplementation (MD), where it decreased in groups M-30 and M-45 compared to the control and M-40 (P < 0.05). The MC had no significant effect on blood Hb, HCT, TLC, albumin, [K+], AST, ALT and total protozoa count (TPC), as well as ruminal-[Na+], [K+], strong ion difference concentration ([SID3]) and [NH3]; however, only [NH3] was significantly affected by MD and the interaction between MC and MD (MC × MD). Serum TP, globulins, [Na+] and [Cl−] increased (P ≤ 0.05) in all supplemented groups, while A/G ratio and [SID3] decreased (P ≤ 0.05). Ruminal pH decreased (P < 0.0001) in M-40 and M-45 compared to the control and M-30. However, [VFAs] increased (P < 0.04) in M-30 and M-40 compared to the control and M-45, while osmolality increased (P ≤ 0.05) in M-30 compared to the other groups. Conclusions Dietary supplementation with molasses at a concentration of 30% for 3 weeks improved growth performance, protein metabolism and rumen fermentation without compromising animal health, immunity, and electrolytes and acid-base homeostasis.

Response of Awassi lambs feeding to fattening on rations of Alfalfa hay stalks treatment with urea or addition of molasses

“…The results of our study agreed with what Alshefea and Hassan (2021) obtained from a highly significant increase (P<0.01) in the daily weight gain and final weight, our results also agreed with what was found by Al-Mamouri (2022) that there is a highly significant (P<0.01) in the daily and total weight gain in favor of urea treatment (7.17%) compared with the untreated when replacing treated and untreated yellow corn impurities instead of wheat bran in feeding of Awassi lambs, it also agreed with what was found by Osman et al (2020) that there was a highly significant increase (P > 0.0001) in final weight and daily gain in a group fed with addition of 40% molasses compared to other groups when feeding young Nubian goats due to increased palatability of molasses, and also agreed with the results of Abera et al (2016), while our results did not agree with what Saro et al (2019) found, there are no significant differences in the daily weight gain and final weight when replacing soybean with urea in fattening Assaf lambs.…”

Effect of Partial Replacement of Corn by Biscuit Waste (Bw) on Nutrients Digestibility, Milk Production and Economical Evaluation in Lactating Damascus Goats

“…The values of results showed no significant effects on plasma AST and ALT concentrations with different treatments , this indicates that goats were in normal health without any adverse effects of (BW) supplementation on liver function ,this agree with Osman et al (2020) who found that values of AST and ALT in normal range when increasing molasses levels in ration. urea and creatinine concentrations were in the normal range, urea and creatinine not affected with experimental rations compared to control Supplemented groups had significantly increase in concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides.…”

Growth, Feed Intake And Conversion Ratio of Improved Goats Fed Brachiaria Grass And Napier Grass Mixed With or Without Leucaena Leaf Meal

“…The high body weight gains of goats fed to Mulato II or ML could be due to high crude protein and metabolisable energy content in the diets. Similar observations were reported that once the grass is mixed with legumes/shrubs increase quality of diets and palatability thus, increases goats' production (Alvarez et al, 2018;Osman et al, 2020). This is due to the quality of dry matter intake which characterises the increase of body weight gain Gusha et al (2015).…”