Nutrient digestibility and growth response of goat kids fed total mixed ration with crop by-products

Abstract:

A total mixed ration, or TMR, is a feeding strategy in which roughage, concentrate, and supplements are blended into a single uniform feed, preventing selective eating and ensuring that each mouthful delivers a balanced nutrient profile. This research evaluated the effect of TMR formulated with three locally available crop by-products teff straw, maize stover, and groundnut haulm on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, and average daily gain in growing goat kids of the Arsi-Bale breed. Twenty-four male kids (initial body weight 8.2 ± 0.7 kg, age 3-4 months) were randomly assigned to four treatments: T1 (conventional separate feeding, control), T2 (TMR with teff straw), T3 (TMR with maize stover), and T4 (TMR with groundnut haulm). Each treatment had six kids, and the feeding trial lasted 90 days at the Haramaya University, Dire Dawa. Kids on T4 achieved the highest dry matter digestibility (69.1%) and average daily gain (72.4 g/d), while T1 recorded the lowest values (62.3% and 54.8 g/d respectively). Crude protein digestibility was also significantly higher in TMR groups. The results indicate that TMR based on groundnut haulm is a cost-effective feeding option that improves both nutrient use and growth in small ruminants.