Evaluation of silage based ration in lactating goats under stall-fed condition

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding maize silage based ration on milk yield and composition in lactating Barbari goats under intensive system. Twelve Barbari goats (age 2-3 years with avg. body weight of 35.58 kg) at mid lactating stage were divided into two groups (CON and SIL) of six each. Goats were randomly divided on the basis of body weight and milk yield. Goats of CON group were fed with 600 g concentrate pellets and 500 g greens/head/day and ad libitum gram straw, while goats of SIL group were fed with 600 g concentrate pellets and ad libitum maize silage. Does were kept under stall fed system with uniform management conditions by housing them in well ventilated sheds.  The duration of experimental feeding was 37 days. Body weight changes, milk production and milk composition were recorded during experimental feeding. There was no statistically (P 0.05) similar between CON and SIL group of goats. Present study concluded that lactating goats can be fed with silage based ration without any adverse effect on milk yield and composition.