EFFECT OF SODIUM BICARBONATE UPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH AND CARCASSES TRAITS OF CYPRUS GOAT KIDS THAT FEED HIGH LEVEL OF CONCENTRATE

Abstract

This investigation was carried out at Ruminants research station –Agricultural research center during 30 April to August 2013 and included feeding trials for Cyprus Goat kids aged four years with an average initial weight of 12.65 1.4 kg. The aim of this experiment was to assess the effect of incorporating sodium bicarbonate in to experimental diets as to evaluate growth, carcass characteristics, , meat quality and chemical composition of meat. six teen goats were divided in to four groups each comprised of four . Four experimental diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated and included addition of 0, 1,1.5,and 2 kg/100kg ration respectively .The rate of concentrate roughage ranged between 20 -80% .The obtained results showed that goat fed on T3 and T4 diets resulted higher insignificant values for feed intake, daily and gross weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, hot and cold carcasses weights, Leg , Rack, Brest and flank weights as compared to T1 (control). T3 was superior to other treatments for dressing percentage. there was insignificant increase (P>0.05) for weights of meat, fat and bones for Racks of T2, T3 andT4 as compared to T1. The chemical composition of Rack meat showed significant drop ( P< 0.05) in moisture content for T4 compared to T1 there was significant increase (p< 0.05)in fat for T4 compared to T1 . A significant increase was found in LD weight for T3 and T4 compared to T1 and was an increase in eye pieas areas for T3 and T4 compared to T1.