METABOLIZABLE ENERGY-REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF PASHMINA PRODUCING CHEGHU GOATS

Eight male goats of Cheghu breed, 1-2 years old, weighing 19.5-35.2kg were divided into two groups of four animals in each. Digestibility an d N-balance measurements were made on berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) based rations which were given either alone (T-1 group) or supplement ed with crushed maize (T-2 group) to provide different levels of energ y about their maintenance requirements. Energy and N balances were det ermined by conducting respiration calorimetry trials on all the indivi dual animals in an open circuit respiration chamber. The DM intake was 50.1 and 65.2 gkg(-1)W(0.75) per day in T-1 and T-2 groups, respectiv ely, which were different (P < 0.05) from each other. The animals in b oth groups were in positive N balance. The ME intake per kgW(0.75) per day in T-2 group (696.2 kJ) was higher (P < 0.05) than T-1 group (482 kJ). The retention of energy per kgW(0.75) per day in T-2 group was 1 49.2 kJ which was higher (P < 0.05) than that in T-1 (6 kJ) group. The energy requirement for maintenance (MEm), determined from regression of energy retention (ER) on metabolizable energy intake (MEI), was 476 kJkg(-1)W(0.75) per day. Fasting heat production (FHP) was 326 kJkg(- 1)W(0.75) per day with efficiency of utilization of ME for maintenance (k(m)) 0.686. It is concluded that the ME requirements for maintenanc e of pashmina bearing Cheghu goats which inhabit the higher altitude o f Himalayan range under severe cold and dry climate is similar to the goats found in the plains of India. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.