Effect of treating Searsia lancea with polyethylene glycol on performance of Boer goats fed Cenchrus ciliaris based diet

This study examined the effect of treating Searsia lancea with incremental levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on growth performance, blood parameters, and apparent nutrient digestibility of Boer goats fed grass hay. Twenty-five (25) male Boer goats with an average weight (27 ± 2 kg) were allocated to dietary treatments offered in a complete randomized design (CRD). Dietary treatments were Cenchrus ciliaris at 60 % grass mixed with 40 % PEG-treated S. lancea at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg DM leaves. The dry matter (DM) intake exhibited positive linear and quadratic effects (P = 0.002 and P = 0.021). There was a positive quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the intake of ash, CP, NDF, and ADF. The average daily gain (ADG) exhibited positive linear responses (P = 0.039) in response to incremental levels of PEG. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed negative linear and quadratic effects (P = 0.008 and P = 0.003). Creatinine (P = 0.005) and calcium (P = 0.005) showed linearly positive effects. Nutrient digestibility showed positive linear and quadratic responses (P < 0.05). Treating S. lancea with incremental levels of PEG improved growth performance and digestibility while not compromising the overall health status of Boer goats. The optimal level of PEG was determined to be 15.4 g/kg for the final weight, the weight gain, the average daily gain, and the feed conversion ratio based on quadratic responses. • Average daily gain exhibited positive linear responses to polyethylene glycol (PEG). • Treatment of Searsia lancea with PEG improved growth performance and digestibility. • Generally, blood parameters were not affected by treatment of S. lancea with PEG.