Effects of breed and test duration on feed efficiency and feeding behavior in growing goats using GrowSafe feeding technology

Abstract This study aimed to determine the effects of breed and test durations on feed efficiency and feeding behavior in growing goats. Nineteen female goats (10 Alpine and 9 Spanish) were used in an 84-d feeding trial. Goats were housed in pens equipped with a GrowSafe feed bunk and received a pelleted diet twice daily with ad libitum access to feed, water, and mineral blocks. Feed intake, feeding behavior, and body weight were monitored throughout the trial to estimate average daily gain (ADG), metabolic body weight (MBW), expected dry matter intake (DMI), and residual feed intake (RFI) at 42, 56, 70, and 84 d. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures model. The breed × test duration (TD) interaction was not significant for any trait except head-down (HD) duration and HD duration:bunk visit duration (BVD). Alpine goats exhibited greater ADG (0.233 vs. 0.191 kg/d) and DMI (1.80 vs. 1.44 kg/d) than Spanish goats (P ≤ 0.03). A tendency for a breed effect was observed for RFI (P = 0.09), with Alpine goats exhibiting greater RFI values than Spanish goats. However, feed efficiency indices and most feeding behavior traits were not affected by breed (P > 0.05). Feeding behavior changed over time, with greater feeder activity early in the trial and higher eating rates later in the trial (P ≤ 0.004). These findings indicate that breed influences growth performance and feed intake but has limited effects on feed efficiency and feeding behavior in growing goats. The greater growth performance observed in Alpine goats appears to be associated with higher feed intake rather than differences in feed utilization efficiency. Further research involving larger populations, additional breeds, and diverse production systems is needed to validate these findings and assess their broader applicability.