IMPACT OF COMPLETED FEED SYSTEM ON FEED DIGESTIBILITY AND SOME BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF GOAT BUCKS

Authors

  • M. H. Kadhim Department of Animal Production / College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad
  • Jamal A.T. Al-Ani Department of Animal Production / College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad
  • Salam S. Ibrahim Office of Agricultural Research/ Ministry of Agriculture

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36103/ckfz5k26

Keywords:

Acetate, Completed feed, Goats, Roughage to concentrate ratio, urea

Abstract

 The study looks at the effect of an ad libitum complete feed system on feed intake, digestibility, and blood biochemical parameters in goat bucks. There are two experiments with Two roughage-to-concentrate ratios (70:30 and 50:50), each with varying acetate levels (0%, 2%, 3%). The rations involved treated and untreated roughage sources like palm fronds and wheat straw. The first experiment had four treatments (T1,T2,T3 and T4) with the 70:30 ratio and acetate levels. The second experiment used fimilar number of bucks but with a 50:50 ratio, resulting in (T5,T6,T7 and T8) . The design was a 2x4 factorial, completely randomized. The results showed that the 50:50 ratio with urea-treated roughage and 2% acetate (T6, T7) performed best, The dry matter intake in the T6 treatment increased to 1,215 g/day. Similarly, the organic matter intake reached an average of 1,104 g/day, while crude protein consumption was 171 g/day. Ether extract intake amounted to 44 g/day, and crude fiber consumption reached 297 g/day. Additionally, the nitrogen-free extract intake increased to 591 g/day, whereas the metabolizable energy intake averaged 13.18 g/day, improving intake, digestibility, TDN, and blood parameters. The conclusion is that 50% urea-treated roughage with 50% concentrate and 2% acetate enhances feed intake and digestibility, mitigates ammonia issues from urea, and improves rumen efficiency.

Received: 16/11/2024

Accepted: 9/2/2025

Published: 30/6/2026

 

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Published

2026-06-30

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Vol. 57 No. 6 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 M. H. Kadhim, Jamal A.T. Al-Ani , Salam S. Ibrahim

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Kadhim, M. H., Al-Ani , J. A., & Ibrahim, S. S. (2026). IMPACT OF COMPLETED FEED SYSTEM ON FEED DIGESTIBILITY AND SOME BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF GOAT BUCKS. IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 57(6), 1731-1741. https://doi.org/10.36103/ckfz5k26