Evaluation of Complete Ration Silage on Performance and Quality of Goat Meat

Abstract

Major constrains of animal production development in Indonesia are the availability and quality of feeds, particularly in dry season. This study was aimed at studying the effect of silage in complete ration on weight gain and quality of goat meat. The experimental design in this study was complete randomized design consisting of 4 treatments and 4 replications using 16 of one year old goats. Ration consisted of R1(forage), R2 (forage and concentrate were given separately), R3 (complete hay), and R4 (complete ration silage). Feeds were given to meet the nutrient requirements of the animals, i.e. 3% of body weight, and drinking water was given ad libitum. The variables measured were nutritional composition of rations, blood plasma cholesterol, slaughtered and carcass weights, as well as carcass percentage of the goat. Results showed that the quality of goat meat determined by its levels of protein, fat, and cholesterol was affected by the rations. Meat produced by R4 (complete ration silage) were better than the others, containing 21.97% protein, 1.9% fat, and 75.41 mg/dl cholesterol. This R4 goat performance was also showing higher slaughtered weight (22.70 kg) with a carcass weight of 9.86 kg and carcass yield of 43.44% out of slaughtered weight and income over feed cost (IOFC) of Rp. 495,768. Therefore, the complete ration containing silage was considered as quantitatively better than other treatments in giving a better performance and meat quality of the goat.