Apichart Loopachr, Surasuk Kochapakdee, Saowanit Kuprasert and Wanwisa Ngampongsai

pp. 715 - 723

Abstract

       The objective of this research was to study the effects of feeding systems on feed intake and milk yield of 50 % Thai Native-Anglo Nubian crossbred does. Twenty four does at 90 days of pregnancy were kept in individual pens and fed Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) ad libitum. They were alloted to 3 groups of different feeding systems according to a completely randomized design: 1) no supplemented concentrate during late pregnancy period but supplemented with 14 % crude protein (CP) concentrate ad libitum during post-partum period; 2) supplemented with 14% CP concentrate ad libitum both during late pregnancy and post-partum periods; and 3) as group 2 but the concentrate contained 18% CP.   

        Feeding systems significantly (P<0.05) affected feed intake of Napier grass during late pregnancy period. Dry matter intake of Napier grass of group 1 (865.32 g/d or 62.27 g/BW^0.75/d or 1.73 %BW) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of groups 2 and 3 (225.72; 310.58 g/d or 15.34; 21.12 g/BW^0.75/d or 0.43; 0.60 %BW, respectively). However total dry matter intakes (Napier grass+concentrate) of does in this period were not significantly different (P>0.05). They were 865.32; 982.98 and 1,026.60 g/d or 62.27; 66.71 and 68.51 g/BW^0.75/d or 1.73; 1.89 and 1.93 %BW, respectively. Similarly, feeding systems were significantly
(P<0.05) affected dry matter intake of Napier grass during post-partum period. Dry matter intake of group 1 (36.03 g/BW^0.75/d or 1.04 %BW) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of groups 2 and 3 (24.49;
29.57 g/BW^0.75/d or 0.68; 0.82 %BW, respectively). However total dry matter intakes (Napier grass+concentrate) of does in this period were not significantly different (P>0.05). They were 1,599.19; 1,557.44 and 1,682.23
g/d or 123.41; 109.22 and 117.17 g/BW^0.75/d or 3.57; 3.04 and 3.25 %BW in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
          Feeding systems significantly (P<0.05) affected milk yield of does. Milk yield in weeks 1, 2 and 3 of group 1 (1,043; 1,220 and 1,291 ml/d, respectively) was significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of groups 2
and 3 (1,793; 1,964; 1,992 and 1,695; 1,901; 1,729 ml/d, respectively). Does giving twin kids produced significantly higher milk yield than single kid does.

 

Keywords

• 50% Thai Native-Anglo Nubian crossbred
• late pregnancy period
• post-partum period
• feed intake
• milk yield