Feed selection and water intake of indigenous goat wethers under stall-feeding conditions

Six indigenous (Pedi) goat wethers (18 months old) with an average body mas s of 25.1 kg were fed five diets, consisting of a mixture of lucerne (Medic ago sativa) and teff (Eragrostis teff) in a cafeteria style arrangement (Tr ial 1). The diets were formulated to be iso-caloric with crude protein (CP) levels of 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15%. In Trial 2, the 15% CP diet was excluded. Intake of DM was highest on the highest CP diet and declined rapidly on the diets where the CP content was lower. Water was available ad lib. leading to an average daily water intake of 1.4 +/- 0.4 litres in both trials. It w as concluded that goats have the ability to select for a higher protein die t and can utilise less water than sheep.