Effect of Pellet Diameter on Physical Characteristics and Intake of Concentrate Pellet in Goats

Abstract

Three types of concentrate pellet of same composition (Bulk density, 0.614 g/cm³) was prepared using different pellet die (8mm, 10mm and 12mm) size at the feed pelleting unit of Animal Nutrition Experimental shed, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom. The physical properties of pellet like Sectional expansion index (SEI), longitudinal expansion index (LEI), Water absorption index (WAI) and cutting strength (CS) was similar in all type of pellets. Volumetric expansion index (VEI) increased while specific length (mm/g), specific gravity (g/cc) and bulk density (g/cm³) decreased with increase in the pellet die diameter. Water solubility index (WSI%) was similar in 8mm (10.02) and 10mm (10.22) pellet but reduced in 12 mm (9.74) pellet. Feeding trial was conducted in male goats (Age 1 yr with mean body weight 23.84) to study the impact of pellet diameter on feed intake and behaviour of animals. Twelve adult goats were divided into three groups (Gr I, Gr II and Gr III) of four each and fed with 8mm, 10mm and 12 mm pellet respectively. Animals were fed with concentrate pellet at the rate of 1.5 % of live body weight and arhar straw ad libitum. During 1^st week of feeding the consumption time (mins) of pellet was significantly (P<0.05) highest in Gr III (21.46) followed by Gr I (16.10) and Gr II (13.57). After that there was no significant difference was reported in consumption time of different concentrate pellet in goats. Overall there was no impact of pellet diameter on the pellet intake and feed intake in goats. Present study concluded that goat can adopt for the intake of pellet of different diameter and feed intake was not affected by pellet diameter.