Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of substituting concentrate mix (CM) with wood ash-treated Prosopis juliflora pod (WPJP) on feed intake, digestibility, weight gain, and carcass yield of Afar goats fed on natural pasture hay. Twenty male goats (16.4 ± 0.04 kg) were assigned in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four dietary treatments in five replications for 90 days. Dietary treatments include: T1: 300 g of CM (control), T2: 200 g of CM + 100 g of WPJP, T3: 100 g of CM + 200 g of WPJP, and T4: 300 g of WPJP. Goats fed on T1 had a higher (p > 0.05) total DM and organic matter (OM) daily intakes compared to T4. However, goats fed on T4 diet had lower crude protein (CP), DM and, OM digestibility. Final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and rib-eye muscle area were lower (p < 0.001) for T4 compared to all other treatment groups. Substitution effect of CM with WPJP on DM basis for goats feed on T2 and T3 had a non-significant effect on feed intake, growth performance, and carcass traits compared T1 fed diet. In conclusion, WPJP can substitute up to 66% CM in diets offering a practical strategy to reduce feed costs while maintaining sustainable productivity in Afar goats fed on natural pasture hay.