Abstract
The study assessed the value of Leucaena leucocephala bark in leucaena—grass hay diets fed to Thai goats. Thai goats in metabolism pens were fed diets containing leucaena leaf (55%) + pangola grass hay (hay, 45%); leucaena leaf (48%) + leucaena bark (9%) + hay (43%); leucaena bark (57%) + hay (43%); and hay only. Feed percentages are expressed on a dry weight basis. The digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were measured for the four diets. Leucaena bark had lower CP concentration than the leaf (11.7 vs. 25.9), and the leucaena bark + hay diet had lower DM and CP digestibility than the other diets. The calculated bark digestibilities of DM and CP of 44.1% and 38.2%, respectively, were much lower than the values for the leucaena leaf of 62.9% and 89.1%, respectively. The lower than expected CP digestibility was attributed to higher tannin levels in the bark compared to the leaves. Despite this, the bark was well accepted by the goats and was often preferred to the hay. Stripping of the bark by goats also results in stems that dry quicker and have higher calorific value as fuel. However, if leucaena branches are fed as a sole diet, the goats may consume up to 30% of bark on a DM basis and this would reduce nutritive value and animal productivity.
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Abbreviations
- CP:
-
Crude protein (g)
- CPD%:
-
Apparent crude protein digestibility
- CPI:
-
Crude protein intake per MW (g/MW)
- DCPI:
-
Digestible crude protein intake per MW (g/MW)
- DDMI:
-
Digestible dry matter intake per MW (g/MW)
- DHP:
-
3-Hydroxy-4(1H)-pyridone
- DM:
-
Dry matter (g)
- DMD%:
-
Apparent dry matter digestibility
- DMI:
-
Dry matter intake per MW (g/MW)
- FDMO:
-
Faecal dry matter output per MW (g/MW)
- FNO:
-
Faecal nitrogen output per MW (g/MW)
- MW:
-
Metabolic weight (live weight (kg)0.75
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Acknowledgements
Acknowledgement is given to Miss Parichat Chamsoon, Miss Onmanatspa Jumruernnusit and Mr. Natdanai Kunjaephong, students from The Faculty of Animal Science and Agricultural Technology, Silpakorn University, Petchaburi IT Campus, Cha-Am, Petchaburi, Thailand 76120, for assisting in the conduct of this experiment. Appreciation is also given to Dr. Mondop Noppakun, Director Animal Research and Development Center, Cha Am, Petchaburi, Thailand 76120.
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Palmer, B., Jones, R.J., Poathong, S. et al. The value of Leucaena leucocephala bark in leucaena—grass hay diets for Thai goats. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 1731–1735 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9628-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9628-9