Effects of Chopping and Supplementation of Sorghum Straw on Feed Intake, Hematological Parameters and Performance of Desert Goats in El Nuhud, North Kordofan, Sudan

Jumaa Barram Jadalla; Mohamed Adam; Mohamed Ali Musa; Ahmed Musa Tibin; Maria Jadalla Osman Alnazeer

Volume : IV, Issue : V, May - 2014

Effects of Chopping and Supplementation of Sorghum Straw on Feed Intake, Hematological Parameters and Performance of Desert Goats in El Nuhud, North Kordofan, Sudan

Jumaa Barram Jadalla, Mohamed Adam, Mohamed Ali Musa, Ahmed Musa Tibin, Maria Jadalla Osman Alnazeer

Abstract :

This study was conducted at El Nuhud locality, West Kordofan State, Sudan, with the objective of evaluating the effects of chopping and supplementing sorghum straw with concentrates on feed intake, digestibility, body weight changes and some hematological indices of Desert goats. Feed–sex interaction was also studied. Eighteen Desert male and female goats (6–8 months old, average weight of 12.5 kg) were divided into three groups of six animals (three females and three males) and fed three rations; un–chopped sorghum straw (UCSS), chopped sorghum straw (CSS) and chopped straw supplemented with concentrate ration (CSS+Supp). The experiment was in a randomized complete block design with six replicates and the data was analyzed via analysis of variance. The results showed that dry matter intake was significantly (P<0.01) affected by ration and sex (P<0.01). Males consumed more feed compared with females. Total dry matter intake was 3.19, 3.91 and 4.71% body weight for goats on un–chopped, chopped and chopped straw with supplementation respectively. Dry matter and organic digestibility coefficients as well as crude fiber, ether extract and nitrogen free extracts were highest (P<0.01) for chopped and supplemented straw whereas crude protein digestibility was highest (P<0.01) for chopped straw that was supplemented with concentrates. Total digestible nutrients, digestible organic matter and digestible crude protein were significantly higher (P < 0.01) for CSS +Supp. The Hb and PCV% was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by type of feed. There was significantly (P<0.01) positive correlation between total weight gain and both total dry matter intake and hematological indices. The study concluded that feed intake and digestibility of sorghum straw could be improved by chopping only or with chopping and supplementation leading to improved goats’ performance. 