Impact of milk fat source and level on the productive performance of suckling goat kids

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the food intake, nutrient digestibility, and weight gain of female suckling goat kids fed with goat and cow milk with different levels of fat. Thirty-two crossbred goats in the suckling phase were distributed in a 2x2 factorial arrangement, in a completely randomized design. Two sources of fat (goat and cow milk) and two levels of fat addition to milk (3.5 and 7.0%) were evaluated for 97 days in eight replicates. Dry matter intake was affected by milk source and fat levels. The highest nutrient intake was observed with goat milk with 7.0% fat. Crude protein intake was affected only by fat source due to the greater presence of protein in goat milk, whereas crude fat intake was affected only by fat levels. The average daily gain was higher for goat kids that ingested milk with 7.0% fat. The source of fat did not affect nutrient digestibility, but the levels of fat influenced dry matter digestibility. The inclusion of 7.0% fat in milk increases the weight gain of suckling goat kids without affecting fat digestibility. Fat from goat milk increases weight at weaning possibly due to a higher energy intake.