Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes, Acacia saligna, wheat bran and cotton seed cake on growth, digestibility, intake and carcass characteristics of goats. A randomized complete block design was used in the experiment with 24 yearling central highland goats with an initial body weight of 15.6 - 16.1 kg. The same amount of grass hay (GH) + 150 gDM/head/day wheat bran (WB) was given to all animals. The experimental diets consisted of 80 gDM of cotton seed cake (CSC) as treatment 1 (T1); 45 gDM of CSC + 160 gDM of cactus cladodes (CC) as T2; 45g DM of CSC + 80 gDM of Acacia saligna (AS) as T3; and 45 gDM of CSC + 80 gDM of CC + 40 gDM of AS as T4 (per day per goat). Data were gathered on the goats’ growth, digestibility, intake, and carcass of major organs, edible and nonedible organs. The consumption of dry matter and organic matter was higher in goats fed T2 and T4 than in the T1 group. The dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were higher in T4 and T3 goats when compared to T2 goats. Goats fed on T4 had higher hot carcass weight and dressing percentage on slaughter body weight basis than T2, T3, and T1 supplemented goats. Generally, the experimental diets improved goats’ performance in descending order (T4 > T3 >T1 >T2). Supplementation of T4 (replacement of 35 gDM of cotton seed cake per day by 40 gDM of Acacia saligna and 80 gDM of cactus cladodes on dry matter bases) could be recommended to improve goat performance. © The Author(s) 2024