EFFECT OF FEED ADDITIVES SUPPLEMENTS ON CARCASS WEIGHT, MEAT QUALITY AND BLOOD PARAMETERS OF MALE PATERI GOAT KIDS

Background: Goat farming plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods, with the Pateri goat breed being one of the most economically significant in Sindh, Pakistan. Feed additives like probiotics and yeast have shown promising effects in enhancing livestock productivity through improved metabolism, growth, and meat quality. However, limited data exists on their breed-specific effects under controlled intensive systems. This study was designed to fill this gap by evaluating the influence of dietary supplementation on male Pateri goat kids. Objective: To assess the effects of dietary supplementation with probiotics and yeast on growth performance, carcass weight, meat quality, and blood parameters in male Pateri goat kids. Methods: A total of twelve healthy, three-month-old male Pateri goat kids were randomly assigned into three groups (n=4): Group A (control), Group B (probiotics: Bacillus subtilis + Lactobacillus acidophilus, 2 g/head/day), and Group C (yeast: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 2 g/head/day). All kids were raised under an intensive system for 90 days. Parameters assessed included body weight, length, height, heart girth, biochemical markers (glucose, BUN, cholesterol), carcass characteristics, and meat quality traits. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by LSD test (P<0.05). Results: Group B exhibited significantly higher final body weight (18.20 ± 0.94 kg), length (58.25 ± 1.58 cm), height (63 ± 0.81 cm), and heart girth (61.52 ± 1.72 cm) than Group A (13.37 ± 1.86 kg, 51.75 ± 1.70 cm, 59 ± 2 cm, 55.5 ± 1.29 cm, respectively). Blood glucose was highest in Group A (80.5 ± 2.38 mg/dL), while BUN and cholesterol were highest in Group B (31.25 ± 2.63 mg/dL; 97.75 ± 16.18 mg/dL). Meat from Group B had higher protein (23.96 ± 0.85%), lower cooking loss (31.3 ± 4.01%), and better water holding capacity (62.76 ± 2.25%). Carcass weight and dressing percentage were also highest in Group B (9.6 ± 0.43 kg; 49%). Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation significantly enhanced growth performance, metabolic efficiency, meat composition, and carcass traits in Pateri goat kids under intensive conditions.