Evaluation of Meskit (Prosopis juliflora) pods as a feed for goats

A study was completed to evaluate effects of increasing dietary levels of dry pods of Meskit (Prosopis juliflora) on Omani native goat performance. Individual feed intake and body weight were determined during a 50-day experimental period. Rations with four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg) of Meskit pods were fed to Omani goats by reducing the proportion of Rhodes grass (Chloris guyana) hay in the diet. The ripened Meskit pods contained 930 g/kg dry matter, 120 g/kg crude protein, 317 g/kg acid detergent fibre, 402 g/kg neutral detergent fibre, 26 g/kg ether extract and 40 g/kg ash. Feed intake, growth rate and feed conversion were maximized with Meskit in the diet at 200 g/kg. However, these values dropped sharply when Meskit pod proportion in the ration was increased to 300 g/kg. Feeding diets containing levels of Meskit pods up to 300 g/kg did not affect proportions of body components or carcass chemical composition. Results indicate that P. juliflora pods can be used up to proportions of 200 g/kg in Omani goat diets to improve feed intake, feed conversion and body weight gain without compromising carcass yield or quality.