EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC FEEDING ON MILK YIELD AND COMPONENTS OF CROSSBRED DAIRY GOATS

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of live probiotic supplements on milk yield and components of crossbred dairy goats. Sixteen lactating crossbred Anglo-Nubian x Saanen dairy goats in early to mid-lactation, 35-40 kg body weight, were randomly assigned into four treatments (four animals per treatments) fed daily with 6 ml of 5 x 109 cfu/ml probiotic supplements for 9 weeks: Treatment 1- control (w/o probiotics); Treatment 2 - lactic acid bacteria (Pediococcus acidilactici 3G3 and Lactobacillus plantarum BS), Treatment 3 - Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2030; and Treatment 4 - multi-strain probiotic (P. acidilactici 3G3, L. plantarum BS, and S. cerevisiae 2030). Daily rations for each of the experimental animals consisted of 1 kg concentrate mixed-feed and 4 kg fresh Pennisetum purpureum and Gliciridia sepium leaves. Results of the study revealed that the milk yield of crossbred lactating goats were not significantly (P≤0.05) affected by probiotic feeding but induced a total net income increase of PhP8.82 per animal/day compared to the control group. Milk components such as total milk fat yield, solid-non-fat, and lactose were significantly affected (P≤0.05) by probiotic feeding while total protein yield remained unchanged throughout the experimental period. The findings suggest that live probiotic feeding could have a significant role in improving milk yield and components of crossbred lactating dairy goats.