Effects of Low-Fat Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles Supplementation on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, Blood Metabolites, and Carcass Characteristics of Kiko Crossbred Wether Goats

Abstract

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced in the US are predominately low fat, as the economics favor separating as much oil as possible for sale as renewable diesel feedstock and also for use in swine and poultry feed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding different amounts of low-fat DDGS (LF-DDGS) on the growth performance, growth efficiency, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics of Kiko crossbred wether goats. Twenty-four goats, 5–6 months of age, were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental diets (n = 6/diet), 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% LF-DDGS on an as-fed basis, and fed for 84 days. The data collected were analyzed using an orthogonal contrast test for equally spaced treatments. The average total gains, average daily gains, and gain-to-feed ratios were similar among the treatments (p > 0.05). The rumen acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations and the acetate:propionate ratios were similar (p > 0.05) among the treatments. There were no differences (p > 0.05) among the treatments for the dressing percentage, rib eye area, and backfat thickness. The findings suggest that at least up to 30% LF-DDGS can be included in the diets of castrated male goats without affecting the production performance and carcass characteristics.