THE EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC BIOPLUS ON DIGESTIBILITY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GOATS KEPT IN 32 "C THERMAL CHAMBERS

Abstract

Based on a previous study, average daily gain of cattle given Bioplus, was kept high
although the animals \vere under environmental stress (Nucleus—Plasm Scheme in Lampung) In this study, goats were kept in 32 “C rooms. Eighteen mature goats (2 Et'tawa.h crossbred males and I6 female bean goats, weighing average 16.3 kg) were randomly divided into 2 groups and kept in 32 “C thermal chambers. Each goat in either of the group was administered 100 g Bioplus that was given in the begirming of the study. They were kept for a I0 months experimental period. The dict consisted ofapproximately 70% Pennisetum purpureum and 30% Leucaena Ieucocephala. Water was available at all time. Bioplus increased dry matter
digestibility (from 43 to 53%, P<.05) but the digestible dry matter intake was similar (18 vs. 20 g/kg LW). During the trial, 6 and 8 kids were obtained from the control a.nd Bioplus groups, respectively. Average kid birth weight was 1.4 kg (sd 0.3 kg) and I.7 kg (sd 0.4 kg) for the respective groups. Kid mortality was lower in Bioplus group (25 vs. 50%) indicating that milk production was higher in Bioplus group. However, incidence of aborts happened in Bioplus group only and this might be due to mismanagement (putting male among some pregnant goats). The study supports the previous suggestion that Bioplus could improve animal performance when they are subjected to wami thermal environment.