Use of a Total Mixed Ration with Three Sources of Protein as an Alternative Feeding for Dairy Goats on Southeast of Spain

Abstract

Voluntary intake, apparent total tract digestibility milk yield and composition was determined in a total mixed ration offered with three different sources of protein; soybean meal, sunflower meal and fish meal. Eighteen Murciano-Grenadine goats at third lactation (4 month) were used in individual metabolic cages during a period of 30 days. Although no significant differences were found for milk yield, somatic cell count, composition and energy and nitrogen balance among the three sources of protein, greater digestibility was found for fiber fractions and protein in the total mixed ration, which sunflower meal was the source of protein (P < 0.05). According to the results obtained at the present study, we observed the same efficiency when sunflower or soybean meal were used as a main sources of vegetable protein on the total mixed ration on dairy goats.