Evaluation of the use of 1% of urea in the diet of young male goats
non-protein nitrogen, biometry, morphometric measurements, Saanen, body development
SILVA FILHO, Carlos Alberto. Evaluation of the use of 1% of urea in the diet of young male goats 2018. _p. Dissertation (Master in Animal Science). Instituto de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, 2018.
Brazil has an increasing demand for products of goat origin, however, national goat breeding does not supply the domestic market. Techniques to reduce feed costs should be used to increase the viability of goat production. Therefore, sources of non-protein nitrogen (NNP), such as urea, may be a viable option in the diet composition of small ruminants. Urea is widely used in ruminant production, but its impacts on development and meat products are poorly studied in goats. In this context, an assessment of its use can meet this demand for knowledge. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of urea inclusion on the diet of goats on weight gain, development, carcass yield and diet cost. For this, 18 kids were divided into 2 groups with isoprotein diets. The control group did not receive urea and the experimental group received 1% MS in the diet. The experimental period was 123 days. The average weight gain (g / day), body and testicular biometrics, as well as weight and carcass yield in the animals were evaluated. There were no significant differences in the studied variables related to weight gain, body biometry and carcass. It is concluded that the use of 1% of urea in the diet of young male goats does not affect the development nor the carcass for weight and yield.