Milk Production and Composition in Goats Fed with Different Inclusion Levels of Dried Orange Peel

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the inclusion of dried orange peel (DOP) into total mixed rations on milk production and composition in goats. Twenty four multiparous Boer x Saanen goats were used, with average body weight of 39.2 +/- 2.3 kg. Four treatments were defined using four total mixed rations with different levels of inclusion of DOP (0, 10, 20, and 30\%). From the last third of gestation treatments were randomly assigned and they were supplied until the end of lactation at the eighth postpartum week. Milk yield and percentages of protein, fat, lactose and nonfat solids were determined. The average milk production obtained in this study was 0.884 +/- 0.026 L, which was not affected by treatments. Experimental treatments affected milk fat percentage (P<0.0001), obtaining the highest percentage for treatments that included 20 and 30\% of DOP, with values of 4.402 and 4.542\%, respectively. Percentages of protein (4.064, 4.211, 4.268, and 4.149\%), lactose (4.914, 4.586, 4.621, and 4.741\%) and nonfat solids (9.009, 8.643, 8.827, and 8.893\%) were not affected by treatments (0, 10, 20, and 30\% of DOP, respectively). It is concluded that DOP inclusion in diets for goats increases the percentage of fat content in milk.