Author : Sjamsuddin Rasjid

Summary : Fifteen Philippine native goats were used in a randomized complete block design experiment to test three rations, namely: A) 30 percent rice straw and 70 percent dried Ipil-ipil leaves; B) 30 percent rice straw, 50 percent dried Ipil-ipil leaves, and 20 percent rice bran; and C) 30 percent rice straw, 50 percent dried Ipil-ipil leaves, and 20 percent molasses. The feeding trial lasted for three months. Average daily gains were 35.7, 68.6, and 50.0 grams for treatments A, B, and C, respectively. Treatment B was significantly higher (P<0.05) than treatment A. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in dry matter intake. Average daily dry matter intakes were 441.5, 508.5, and 489.0 grams for treatments A, B, and C, respectively. Goats on treatment B had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed efficiency than those on treatments A and C. The mean feed efficiency values were 12.56, 7.65, and 10.54 kg feed per kg liveweight gain for treatments A, B, and C, respectively. There were no significant differences among treatments (P>0.05) in digestibility and total digestible nutrient contents of the rations for goats. Mean dressing percentages were 37.35 percent (treatment A), 43.01 percent (treatment B) and 41.03 percent (treatments C). Treatment B was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the other two treatments and treatment C was significantly higher (P<0.05) than treatment A. There were no significant differences among treatments in rib eye area.