Effects of Crossbreeding and Feed Supplementation on Meat Productivity of Goats in Laos: 1. Feed Intake, Live Weight Gain and Carcass Sections

Abstract

A 5 month long 2 x 2 factorial feeding trial was carried out to determine effects of crosbreeding and feed supplementation on improved meat productivity of goats in Laos. The indigenous goat breed (Lat) was used as the control to compare with F1 (BT x L) as a result of crossbreeding Lat does with bucks of Bach Thao, an improved goat breed imported from Vietnam. For each genotype, 30 growing male goats at 6-7 months of age were chosen and equally divided into 2 groups, one raised according to the traditionalfeeding regime (free ranging only) and the other with an improved feeding regime including cassava hay and mineral block provided ad libitumin addition to free ranging. Observations included feed intake, live weight gain, dressing percentage, body composition, carcass sections and meat quality. Results as presented in this paper showed that the F1 goat had higher a intake of cassava hay (P<0.001) and mineral block (P<0.01) as a result of heavier live weight compared to the indigenous goat. The ADG of F1 (60.02g/head/day) was very much higher (56.09%) than that of the indigenous goat (38.45 g/head/day). The ADG of goats supplemented with cassava hay and mineral block (55.45g/head/day) was also significantly higher (28.89%) than that of those not supplemented (43.02 g/head/day). No significant (P>0.05) effects of the crossbreeding and supplementation were found for dressing percetage and percentages of front leg, rear leg, and breast-rip sections in the carcass; however, the F1 had a bigger neck (P<0.01)but a smaller abdomen (P<0.01) compared to the indigenous goat. It was therefore concluded that crossing Lat does with Bach Thao bucks and feed (protein and minerals) supplementation could improve meat productivity of goats in Laos