Feasibility of Replacing Concentrate Mixture with Bio-Upgraded Wheat Straw for Goats in Egypt

The effect of replacing concentrate mixture with fungal treated wheat straw on feed intake, nutrient utilization, blood parameters and carcass traits was studied in goats. In one experiment, 12 adult Ossimi rams were divided into 3 groups of 4 animals each. Three experimental rations were formulated using untreated wheat straw (UWS), biologically (Trichoderma viride) treated wheat straw (TWS), clover hay and concentrate feed mixture. The 1st ration (T1) contained UWS and roughage: concentrate (R: C) ratio was 45: 55 while TWS was included in the 2nd (T2) and 3rd (T3) ration replacing 10 and 15% of the concentrate mixture and contained 55: 45 and 60: 40 R: C ratio, respectively. There was decrease (P<0.05) in nutrients digestibility, rumen NH3-N and total VFA's concentration in groups T2 and T3 compared to T1. In second experiment, 30 Zaraibi male growing kids (4 months old) were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each based on body weight and fed rations to meet their requirements. The rations were similar as in the previous experiment.  The growth trial lasted for 180 days and growth rate, blood parameters and carcass traits were assessed. The group T3 recorded lower (P<0.05) daily gain compared to T1 and T2. Feed conversion ratio was better in group T1 compared to T2 and T3. A significant (P<0.05) decrease in carcass weight and dressing percentage was recorded in group T2 and T3 compared to control group. Therefore, replacing 10 and 15% of ration concentrates by biologically treated wheat straw decreased total ration digestibility, growth rate and carcass yield in goats.