Preliminary results of growth and carcass quality of goat kids fed whole cow's milk and an exogenous source of DHA.

Abstract

30 Majorera males and females newborn goat kids were randomly assigned to three groups according to different diets and sexes: goat milk (GM), whole cow's milk (WCM) and whole cow's milk plus Docohexanoic Acid (DHA-gold©, DHA) (WCM9). All animals were fed ad libitum during the experiment. Goat milk was taken from the bulk tank every day during the experiment and the dehydrated cow whole milk was rehydrated and used to feed WCM and WCM9 groups. For whole cow’s milk diets, the dry matter was 16% w/w, being 9g the concentration used of DHA-gold©. Twice a week, animals were weighted and the group intakes measured in each fed. When goat kids reached 8 kg of body weight (BW), they were slaughtered following EU regulation. In order to study the carcass quality, pH and color (parameters “a” and “b”) were measured at 0 and 24 hours by insertion into the longissimus muscle (at the 12/13th rib ) after slaughter as well as the conformation of the animals at 24h, when the carcasses were split down and frozen at -20° C for subsequent analysis. Growing periods were grouped from birth to 6 kg BW and from 6 kg to BW at slaughter, and the average daily gain (ADG) was calculated. During the first period, ADG were 134, 149 and 124 g/d for GM, WCM and WCM9, respectively, while in the second period the ADG were of 143, 176 and 133 g/d for GM, WCM and WCM9, respectively. Within the first period statistical differences were found between diets and sex. However no significant differences were found when sex effect was considered in the second period. Preliminary results show that there were not statistical differences in pH neither at 0 hours nor at 24 hours. Statistical differences in colour parameter “a” were found between treatments at 0 hours. However 24 hours later, differences in the color parameter “a” did not reach significance and the color parameter “b” differed significantly between sexes within the same and different treatments. No statistical differences were found in the carcass conformations neither the joints of the half carcass in connection with to the treatments. In conclusion, feeding goat kids with WCM is a good option to consider, cheaper and with good results in growth. More analysis in carcass and meat quality should be done to determine if the DHA addition improves the quality of the final product.