Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Inulin on Performance of Barbari Goats Fed High and Low Concentrate Diet

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of inulin on growth performance, feed consumption and efficiency of feed utilization in Barbari goats fed high or low-concentrate diet. For the study eighteen yearling female Barbari goats purchased under RKVY project “Establishment of goat unit for conservation and revitalization of superior germplasm of Barbari goat” of uniform age, sex and conformation were selected. They were allocated into three groups with six animals per treatment distributed based on their live body weights using completely randomized block design. The control group was fed on basal diet having concentrate to roughage ratio of 50:50 without inulin supplementation. The treatment group T1 and T2 consisted of animals fed low concentrate diet (LCD) having concentrate to roughage ratio of 40:60 and high concentrate diet (HCD) having concentrate to roughage ratio of 60:40, respectively, with 2% level of inulin supplementation in both the groups on % DM basis. The results showed that there was an overall increase in dry matter intake in inulin supplemented group. The mean daily body weight gain was higher in group T2 followed by group T1 and control group. There was an overall improvement in feed conversion efficiency in Barbari goats under treatment groups in comparison to control group. The body condition score and faecal score of experimental goats was improved in inulin treated group compared to control group during the trial period. The supplementation of inulin had no adverse effect on biochemical parameters, however, there was an overall increase in the concentration of total protein in inulin supplemented group fed with high concentrate diet. The results of study suggested beneficial effects of inulin supplementation in growing goats