Growth Performance, Haematobiochemical Profile and Enteric Methane Emission of Goats Supplemented With Terminalia brownii Dried Leaves
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Animal Science College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Mekdela Amba University Tulu Awulia Ethiopia
- 2Department of Animal Science College of Agriculture and Environmental Science Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar Ethiopia
- 3Amhara Agricultural Research Institute Bahir Dar Ethiopia
- 4Unique land use GmbH ILRI Campus Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Abstract
Background: Goats are vital for livelihoods and food security in tropical regions such as Ethiopia. However, poor‐quality feed, especially during dry seasons, limits their growth, health and overall productivity.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementing Terminalia brownii tree leaves on growth performance, hematobiochemical profile and methane (CH4) emission of goats.
Methods: Twenty‐five male goats with an average initial weight of 19.1 ± 1.6 kg were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments, each with five replicates. The treatments included a control group fed 100% concentrate mix (CM) (T1), 85% CM + 15% Terminalia brownii (T2), 70% CM + 30% Terminalia brownii (T3), 55% CM + 45% Terminalia brownii (T4) and 40% CM + 60% Terminalia brownii (T5). All goats were provided with natural pasture hay as a basal diet. After 90 days of feeding, a seven‐day digestibility trial was conducted to assess nutrient digestibility. CH4 emission was measured by laser methane detector tool. The data of nutrient content, nutrient intake, digestibility, body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency (FCE), blood profile and CH4 emission were recorded. Data were analysed using SAS (version 9.4) software.
Result: The result showed that goats that received the T5 treatment consumed significantly more DM (779.24 g) and CP (181.06 g) than other treatment groups. The digestibility of NDF and ADF was not statistically different among the treatments. The average daily weight gain of goats reared in T5 (63.4 g and T4 (59.0) was higher than T1, T2 and T3. Goats fed T5 recorded the highest count of lymphocytes (LYM) (61%) followed by animals fed T3 (58.17%) while the least (36.5%) was observed in T4 treatment. Besides, goats fed T4 diet had the highest neutrophil count (56.9). Goats fed on T5 diet had the highest haemoglobin levels as compared to other treatments. The CH4 value was lower in T5 (34.84 ppm‐m), where goats were fed with 60% Terminalia brownii leaves, in comparison to the other treatments.
Conclusion: This indicates that Terminalia brownii leaves could potentially act as a viable alternative to concentrate feeds while also reducing methane emissions. This suggests that the T4 and T5 treatments effectively promoted both growth and feed intake in the goats. In addition, substituting Terminalia brownii leaves with concentrate feed had no adverse effect on the blood profile of goats. Future studies should incorporate a comprehensive cost‐benefit analysis to determine whether the potential improvements in goat performance and environmental benefits offset the costs of harvesting and processing Terminalia brownii leaves.
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BibTeX
@article{kibret2026growth,
title = {{Growth Performance, Haematobiochemical Profile and Enteric Methane Emission of Goats Supplemented With Terminalia brownii Dried Leaves}},
author = {Berihun Kibret and Bimrew Asmare and Likawent Yeheyis and Shigdaf Mekuriaw},
journal = {Veterinary Medicine and Science},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/vms3.71312},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.71312},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Growth Performance, Haematobiochemical Profile and Enteric Methane Emission of Goats Supplemented With Terminalia brownii Dried Leaves
AU - Berihun Kibret
AU - Bimrew Asmare
AU - Likawent Yeheyis
AU - Shigdaf Mekuriaw
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Veterinary Medicine and Science
DO - 10.1002/vms3.71312
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.71312
AB - Background: Goats are vital for livelihoods and food security in tropical regions such as Ethiopia. However, poor‐quality feed, especially during dry seasons, limits their growth, health and overall productivity. Objective: To evaluate the effect of supplementing Terminalia brownii tree leaves on growth performance, hematobiochemical profile and methane (CH4) emission of goats. Methods: Twenty‐five male goats with an average initial weight of 19.1 ± 1.6 kg were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments, each with five replicates. The treatments included a control group fed 100% concentrate mix (CM) (T1), 85% CM + 15% Terminalia brownii (T2), 70% CM + 30% Terminalia brownii (T3), 55% CM + 45% Terminalia brownii (T4) and 40% CM + 60% Terminalia brownii (T5). All goats were provided with natural pasture hay as a basal diet. After 90 days of feeding, a seven‐day digestibility trial was conducted to assess nutrient digestibility. CH4 emission was measured by laser methane detector tool. The data of nutrient content, nutrient intake, digestibility, body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency (FCE), blood profile and CH4 emission were recorded. Data were analysed using SAS (version 9.4) software. Result: The result showed that goats that received the T5 treatment consumed significantly more DM (779.24 g) and CP (181.06 g) than other treatment groups. The digestibility of NDF and ADF was not statistically different among the treatments. The average daily weight gain of goats reared in T5 (63.4 g and T4 (59.0) was higher than T1, T2 and T3. Goats fed T5 recorded the highest count of lymphocytes (LYM) (61%) followed by animals fed T3 (58.17%) while the least (36.5%) was observed in T4 treatment. Besides, goats fed T4 diet had the highest neutrophil count (56.9). Goats fed on T5 diet had the highest haemoglobin levels as compared to other treatments. The CH4 value was lower in T5 (34.84 ppm‐m), where goats were fed with 60% Terminalia brownii leaves, in comparison to the other treatments. Conclusion: This indicates that Terminalia brownii leaves could potentially act as a viable alternative to concentrate feeds while also reducing methane emissions. This suggests that the T4 and T5 treatments effectively promoted both growth and feed intake in the goats. In addition, substituting Terminalia brownii leaves with concentrate feed had no adverse effect on the blood profile of goats. Future studies should incorporate a comprehensive cost‐benefit analysis to determine whether the potential improvements in goat performance and environmental benefits offset the costs of harvesting and processing Terminalia brownii leaves.
SN - 2053-1095
ER -