Age and season effects on quality of diets selected by Criollo crossbred goats on rangeland
Leticia Gaytán A , Abdel-Fattah Z. M. Salem B , Alvaro Rodríguez C , Jose E. García C , Jose R. Arévalo D and Miguel Mellado C E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Department of Veterinary Science, Torreon, 27054, Mexico.
B Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Estado de México, 50110, Mexico.
C Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Department of Animal Nutrition, Saltillo, Coahuila, 25315, Mexico.
D Department of Parasitology, Ecology and Genetics, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, 38200, Spain.
E Corresponding author. Email: mmellbosq@yahoo.com
Animal Production Science 55(6) 758-765 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13349
Submitted: 21 August 2013 Accepted: 3 April 2014 Published: 27 May 2014
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of age of goats (4-week old, 6.2 ± 0.7 kg vs mature, 46.9 ± 5.6 kg) and season (rainy vs dry) on nutrient content of diets selected by Criollo crossbred female goats on an overgrazed Chihuahuan desert rangeland. Two groups of goats, 10 goat kids and 10 non-lactating pluriparous goats from a commercial goat herd were used. Diet quality and dry matter (DM) intake was assessed via repeated collections (3-h periods) of forage from the mouth of goats, which were momentarily restrained using a light short permanent rope tightened to their neck while grazing. Feed intake was assessed by 24-h fecal collection with canvas fecal-collection bags. Mature animals ate more (P < 0.01, 23 g DM/kg bodyweight ± 7 s.d.) than goat kids (19.5 g DM/kg bodyweight ± 6 s.d.) across grazing seasons, but DM digestibility of selected diet was greater (P < 0.01) in goat kids than in mature goats (58.5 ± 4.0% vs 55.3 ± 3.5%, respectively) across seasons. Ash (100 ± 16 vs 79 ± 13 g/kg DM), phosphorus (1.36 ± 0.41 vs 1.13 ± 0.36% DM) and crude protein (94.5 ± 4 vs 88.5 ± 5 g/kg DM) contents were greater (P < 0.01) in diets selected by goat kids compared with mature goats. Dietary protein was greater in rainy than in the dry season. Across grazing seasons, herbage selected by goat kids had a lower (P < 0.01) concentration of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre than did that selected by mature goats. There was an age by grazing season interaction (P < 0.05) for most chemical components of forages selected by goats. In conclusion, both age and season affected diet quality of goats on rangeland, as goat kids ingested a diet richer in nutrients than that of mature goats. This supports the theory that herbage selection is shaped by physiological effort and, consequently, nutrient consumption is driven by higher nutrient requirements for growth, although incomplete development of rumen function and small body mass limited feed intake in preweaning goat kids.
Additional keywords: body size, diet quality, feed intake, foraging, forage selection, herbivore.
References
Abou-Ward GA (2008) Effect of pre-weaning diet on lamb’s rumen development. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Science 3, 561–567.Allen MS (1996) Physical constraints on voluntary intake of forages by ruminants. Journal of Animal Science 74, 3063–3075.
Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) (1996) ‘Official methods of analysis.’ 16th edn. (AOAC: Arlington, VA)
Babcock CJ (1938) Feed flavors in milk and milk products. Journal of Dairy Science 21, 661–668.
| Feed flavors in milk and milk products.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaA1cXms1arsg%3D%3D&md5=709ec43e302bb06daa864c21b027708dCAS |
Borja MS, Oliveira RL, Ribeiro CVDM, Bagaldo AR, Carvalho GGP, Silva TM, Lima LS, Barbosa LP (2010) Effects of feeding Licury (Syagrus coronate) cake to growing goats. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 23, 1436–1444.
| Effects of feeding Licury (Syagrus coronate) cake to growing goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Casler MD, Jung HJG (2006) Relationships of fibre, lignin, and phenolics to in vitro fibre digestibility in three perennial grasses. Animal Feed Science and Technology 125, 151–161.
| Relationships of fibre, lignin, and phenolics to in vitro fibre digestibility in three perennial grasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXht12ku7vI&md5=763b6389d4aa4a83a49e48333dd64cafCAS |
Demment MW, Van Soest PJ (1985) A nutritional explanation for body-size patterns of ruminant and nonruminant herbivores. American Naturalist 125, 641–672.
| A nutritional explanation for body-size patterns of ruminant and nonruminant herbivores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Estevez JA, Landete-Castillejos T, García AJ, Ceacero F, Martínez A, Gaspar-López E, Calatayud A, Gallego L (2010) Seasonal variations in plant mineral content and free-choice minerals consumed by deer. Animal Production Science 50, 177–185.
| Seasonal variations in plant mineral content and free-choice minerals consumed by deer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXktlyitrc%3D&md5=7ab212716f43ca6b305e05045012988fCAS |
Flores ER, Provenza RD, Balph DF (1989) Role of experience on the development of foraging skills of lambs browsing the shrub serviceberry. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 23, 279–284.
| Role of experience on the development of foraging skills of lambs browsing the shrub serviceberry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fonseca AJM, Dias-da-Silva AA, Ørskov ER (1998) In sacco degradation characteristics as predictors of digestibility and voluntary intake of roughages by mature ewes. Animal Feed Science and Technology 72, 205–219.
| In sacco degradation characteristics as predictors of digestibility and voluntary intake of roughages by mature ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Frost RA, Wilson LM, Launchbaugh KL, Hovde EM (2008) Seasonal change in forage value of rangeland weeds in northern Idaho. Invasive Plant Science and Management 1, 343–351.
| Seasonal change in forage value of rangeland weeds in northern Idaho.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Handl WP, Rittenhouse LR (1975) A comparison of three methods of estimating digestibility for determining intake of grazing cattle. Journal of Range Management 28, 414–416.
| A comparison of three methods of estimating digestibility for determining intake of grazing cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hanley TA (1982) The nutritional basis for food selection by ungulates. Journal of Range Management 35, 146–151.
| The nutritional basis for food selection by ungulates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hepper PG (1988) Adaptive fetal learning: prenantal exposure to garlic affects postnatal preferences. Animal Behaviour 36, 935–936.
| Adaptive fetal learning: prenantal exposure to garlic affects postnatal preferences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hooper AP, Welch JG (1983) Chewing efficiency and body size of kid goats. Journal of Dairy Science 66, 2551–2556.
| Chewing efficiency and body size of kid goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaL2c7js1Gjuw%3D%3D&md5=ecc92cf5de16857c2e7a9c0408176e0dCAS | 6668378PubMed |
Illius AW, Gordon IJ (1992) Modelling the nutritional ecology of ungulate herbivores: evolution of body size and competitive interactions. Oecologia 89, 428–434.
Juárez-Reyes AS, Cerrillo-Soto MA, Meza-Herrera CA, Nevárez-Carrasco G (2004) Diet composition, intake, plasma metabolites, reproductive and metabolic hormones during pregnancy in goats under semi-arid grazing conditions. The Journal of Agricultural Science 142, 697–704.
| Diet composition, intake, plasma metabolites, reproductive and metabolic hormones during pregnancy in goats under semi-arid grazing conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Juárez-Reyes AS, Nevárez-Carrasco G, Cerrillo-Soto MA, Murillo-Ortiz M, Luginbuhl JM, Bernal-Barragán H, Ramírez RG (2008) Dietary chemical composition, plasma metabolites and hormones in range goats. Journal of Applied Animal Research 34, 81–86.
| Dietary chemical composition, plasma metabolites and hormones in range goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jung HG, Allen MS (1995) Characteristics of plant cell walls affecting intake and digestibility of forages by ruminants. Journal of Animal Science 73, 2774–2790.
Kothman MM (1980) Nutrition of livestock grazing on range and pasture lands. In ‘Digestive physiology and nutrition of ruminants’. 2nd edn. (Ed. DC Church) pp. 56–90. (O and B Books: Corvallis, OR)
Kyriazakis I, Tolkamp BJ, Emmans G (1999) Diet selection and animal state: an integrative framework. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 58, 765–772.
| Diet selection and animal state: an integrative framework.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3nsVynsQ%3D%3D&md5=b44dccb87874beae7fcebbf6be6fca36CAS | 10817142PubMed |
Launchbaugh KL, Howery LD (2005) Understanding landscape use patterns of livestock as a consequence of foraging behavior. Rangeland Ecology and Management 58, 99–108.
| Understanding landscape use patterns of livestock as a consequence of foraging behavior.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lundberg P, Astrom M (1990) Functional response of optimally foraging herbivores. Journal of Theoretical Biology 144, 367–377.
| Functional response of optimally foraging herbivores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCollum FT, Galyean ML (1985) Cattle grazing blue grama rangeland II. Seasonal forage intake and digesta kinetics. Journal of Range Management 38, 543–546.
| Cattle grazing blue grama rangeland II. Seasonal forage intake and digesta kinetics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mellado M, Rodríguez A, Olvera A, Villarreal J, López R (2004) Age and body condition score and diets of grazing goats. Journal of Range Management 57, 517–523.
| Age and body condition score and diets of grazing goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mellado M, Estrada R, Olivares L, Pastor F, Mellado J (2006) Diet selection among goats of different milk production potential on rangeland. Journal of Arid Environments 66, 127–134.
| Diet selection among goats of different milk production potential on rangeland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mellado M, Aguilar CN, Arévalo JR, Rodríguez A, García JE, Mellado J (2011) Selection for nutrients by pregnant goats on a microphyll desert scrub. Animal 5, 972–979.
| Selection for nutrients by pregnant goats on a microphyll desert scrub.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXlvFKqtbo%3D&md5=0e90a37a8b993dfb5c81f34281521b0fCAS | 22440037PubMed |
Mellado M, Rodríguez A, Lozano EA, Dueñez J, Aguilar CN, Arévalo JR (2012) The food habits of goats on rangelands with different amounts of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) cover. Journal of Arid Environments 84, 91–96.
| The food habits of goats on rangelands with different amounts of fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) cover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Minson DJ (1990) ‘Forages in ruminant nutrition.’ (Academic Press: San Diego, CA)
Mirza SN, Provenza FD (1990) Preference of the mother affects selection and avoidance of foods by lambs differing in age. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 28, 255–263.
| Preference of the mother affects selection and avoidance of foods by lambs differing in age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
National Research Council (NRC) (2007) ‘Nutrient requirements of small ruminants: sheep, goats, cervids, and New World camelids.’ (National Academies Press: Washington, DC)
Oba M, Allen MS (1999) Evaluation of the importance of the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber from forage: effects on dry matter intake and milk yield of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 589–596.
| Evaluation of the importance of the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber from forage: effects on dry matter intake and milk yield of dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXitVWjtLg%3D&md5=be6828611003591650f177f29b4150cdCAS | 10194678PubMed |
Orskov ER, Hovell FDD, Mould F (1980) The use of the nylon bag technique for the evaluation of feedstuffs. Tropical Animal Production 5, 195–213.
Pinos-Rodríguez JM, Aguirre-Rivera JR, Mellado M, García-López JC, Álvarez-Fuentes G, Méndez-Villazana JC (2007) Chemical and digestibility characteristics of some woody species browsed by goats in Central Mexico. Journal of Applied Animal Research 32, 149–153.
| Chemical and digestibility characteristics of some woody species browsed by goats in Central Mexico.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Provenza RD, Balph DF (1987) Diet learning by domestic ruminants: theory, evidence, and practical implications. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 18, 211–232.
| Diet learning by domestic ruminants: theory, evidence, and practical implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Provenza FD, Burritt EA (1991) Socially induced diet preference ameliorates conditioned food aversion in lambs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 31, 229–236.
| Socially induced diet preference ameliorates conditioned food aversion in lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Provenza FD, Malechek JC (1986) A comparison of food selection and foraging behavior in juvenile and adult goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 16, 49–61.
| A comparison of food selection and foraging behavior in juvenile and adult goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ramírez RG, Loyo A, Mora R, Sánchez EM, Chaires A (1991) Forage intake and nutrition of range goats in a shrubland in northeastern Mexico. Journal of Animal Science 69, 879–885.
Ramírez-Orduña R, Ramírez RG, Romero-Vadillo E, González-Rodríguez H, Armenta-Quintana JA, Ávalos-Castro R (2008) Diet and nutrition of range goats on a sarcocaulescent shrubland from Baja California Sur, Mexico. Small Ruminant Research 76, 166–176.
| Diet and nutrition of range goats on a sarcocaulescent shrubland from Baja California Sur, Mexico.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Santucci PM, Maestrini O (1985) Body conditions of dairy goats in extensive systems of production: method of estimation. Annales de Zootechnie 34, 473–474.
| Body conditions of dairy goats in extensive systems of production: method of estimation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Searle KR, Hunt LP, Gordon IJ (2010) Individualistic herds: Individual variation in herbivore foraging behavior and application to rangeland management. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 122, 1–12.
| Individualistic herds: Individual variation in herbivore foraging behavior and application to rangeland management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Suttle NF (2010) ‘Mineral nutrition of livestock.’ 4th edn. (CAB International: Oxfordshire, UK)
Thorhallsdottir AG, Provenza FD, Balph DF (1990) Ability of lambs to learn about novel foods while observing or participating with social models. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 25, 25–33.
| Ability of lambs to learn about novel foods while observing or participating with social models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Soest PJ, Wine RH (1968) Determination of lignin and cellulose in acid detergent fiber with permanganate. Journal - Association of Official Analytical Chemists 51, 780–785.
Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991) Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
| Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK38%2FnvVCltA%3D%3D&md5=1b837d0361716b7c813fff797a7701e0CAS | 1660498PubMed |
Verheyden-Tixier H, Renaud PC, Morellet N, Jamot J, Besle JM, Dumont B (2008) Selection for nutrients by red deer hinds feeding on a mixed forest edge. Oecologia 156, 715–726.
| Selection for nutrients by red deer hinds feeding on a mixed forest edge.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18357470PubMed |
Villalba JJ, Provenza FD, Banner RE (2002) Influence of macronutrients and activated charcoal on utilization of sagebrush by sheep and goats. Journal of Animal Science 80, 2099–2109.
Villalba JJ, Provenza FD, Hall JO (2008) Learned appetites for calcium, phosphorus, and sodium in sheep. Journal of Animal Science 86, 738–747.
| Learned appetites for calcium, phosphorus, and sodium in sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXisFyrsb8%3D&md5=c0a0d3028dab94ddc08b89e0b2e6aeb0CAS | 18073279PubMed |
Wiedmeier RW, Villalba JJ, Summers A, Provenza FD (2012) Eating a high fibre diet during pregnancy increases intake and digestibility of a high fibre diet by offspring in cattle. Animal Feed Science and Technology 177, 144–151.
| Eating a high fibre diet during pregnancy increases intake and digestibility of a high fibre diet by offspring in cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtlKrsr%2FL&md5=479bca84afada01ae67bf9396b8ecc32CAS |
