A study was made of different ways of offering three tree foliages (Mulberry [Morus alba], Jackfruit [Artocarpus heterophyllus] and Cassava [Manihot esculenta] to goats. The feeding methods were: offering fresh leaves (L) or foliage (F) in the feed trough or the foliage hanging on the side of the pen (FH). The treatments were allocated to each foliage in three successive 3*3 Latin square arrangements to 3 growing goats confined in metabolism cages. The evaluation consisted of a study of the pattern of feed intake and nutrient digestibility.
In all the plant species examined, the leaves had a higher DM, ash and crude protein concentration than the foliage (leaves plus stems). On all three plant species the goats ate more dry matter in a shorter time when they were offered the foliage hanging from the roof of the cage. Intake was lowest and eating time longest when only the leaves were offered in the feed trough. Ruminating rate was not influenced by source of foliage or method of feeding. DM and OM digestibility followed the same pattern as DM intake, with highest values for hanging foliage and lowest for leaves fed separately. For jackfruit and cassava the N retention was highest for hanging foliage and lowest for the leaves fed in the trough. There were no differences in N retention for the different ways of offering the mulberry foliage. There was no effect of feeding method on ruminal pH and protozoa counts. Rumen ammonia levels were very high (from 400 to 1000 mg/litre) and were not affected by offer method or source of foliage.
A survey was conducted in Pearm Okgna Ong commune of Lvear Em district in Kandal Province, from 1st July to 30th November, 2002. This commune is located on the East site of the Mekong river, about 25 km from Phnom Penh city. The main objective of the survey was to identify the constraints related to goat production and management by small-holders in using available locally available feed resources by-products in the traditional way.
The survey results indicated that natural grass, maize stover, kapok leaves, banana leaves and Manila Tamarind (Pethicelobium dulces) are the main feeds used. The traditional method of feeding was usually by hanging or tying the bunch of feed to the fence, or putting on the top of a big jar or in a rack. They do not use concentrated feed, medicine or processed feeds. High transport costs and difficulty of the road system are factors that make it difficult to move feeds to the homesteads where the goats are kept. The lacks of an effective extension or animal health service and/or natural disasters (flooding) were other factors that limited the possibilities for raising goats. During the flood, all areas are covered by water, causing a shortage of feed due to the shortage of grazing area. At that time goats are kept in the elevated pen and offered local feed resources, especially foliage from trees that are tolerant to flooding and have high biomass yield.
It is concluded that research and extension should focus ways of improving the nutritive value of the by-products, the introduction of legumes and trees tolerant to flooding with high nutritive value and biomass yield.
Key words: Behaviour, flooding, digestibility, foliage, goats, intake, N retention, shrubs, small-holders, trees, traditional systems