KSU TARIM VE DOGA DERGISI-KSU JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURE, vol.21, no.2, pp.209-214, 2018 (ESCI)
The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two feeding systems (total mixed ration; TMR vs. roughage and concentrate offered separately; SF) on performance and milk composition of German Fawn (n=16) and Saanen (n=16) dairy goats. Animals were randomly allocated into 2 sub groups and fed TMR or SF system. Roughage:concentrate ratio were arranged as 60:40 in TMR groups. Wheat straw (25%) and chopped alfalfa hay (75%) were used as roughage. Roughage was offered at ad libutum while concentrate was given in two equal meals (total 800 g/goat per day) in SF groups. The study was lasted 50 days. Live weights were recorded before morning feeding. Milk yields were recorded weekly. Individual milk samples were collected to determine total solids, fat, protein, casein, lactose, and urea-N. Feeding systems did not affect (P>0.05) milk yield, body weight, total solid, fat, protein, and casein concentrations. Separate access to roughage and concentrate decreased dry matter intake (P<0.01) and tended to decrease urea-N concentration (P= 0.053). Milk yield of German Fawn does was lower than Saanen does (P< 0.01: 1205.4 g/d vs. 1476.8 g/d). When milk composition of two genotypes were compared, protein was higher (P<0.01) in German Fawn does than Saanen does. In conclusion, there was no advantage of mixed diet over separate feeding for dairy pats having moderate milk yield (1200-1500 g/d).