Effects of Feeding Prosopis Juliflora Pods on Growth Performance, Nutrient Intake, Digestibility, and Carcass Characteristics of Black Goat Kids Fed Finishing Diets

Prosopis juliflora pods (PJP) are a source of raw energy and are a suitable meal for ruminants. The objective of this study is to assess the growth performance, nutrient intake, digestibility, and carcass characteristics of Black goat kids fed finishing diets replacing barley grains with PJP. For an 80-day feeding period, thirty-two weaned male kids (body weight = 16.8±0.91 kg; age = 110±3 days) were randomized to receive one of the four treatment diets. Experimental diets were 0 (CON), 10 (PJP10), 15 (PJP15), and 20 (PJP20), with all diets being similar in terms of metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP). Intake values were similar except for ether extract which was higher (P<0.05) for the PJP20 group and acid detergent fiber which was higher (P<0.05) for the PJP15 kids. Intakes of CP, organic matter (OM), dry matter (DM), and neutral detergent fiber were unaffected. The feed conversion ratio, average daily gain, and final live weight of the treatment groups were similar. With the ADF that was not different, results of digestibility were better (P<0.05) for the PJP20 group but mostly not different from the control group. Regarding meat dressing-out % and carcass cuts and linear dimensions, hot and cold carcass weight, and fasting live weight, no variations were found across the treatment diets. The total lean % in racks was greater (P<0.05) in the CON and PJP15 groups. The meat-to-bone ratio in racks and shoulders was the lowest (P<0.05) in the PJP20 group compared to the other groups. This study highlighted the impacts of PJP on the growth of Black goat kids without having adverse effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, or meat quality.