Asian Journal of Agriculture
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026)

Effects of rainy-season by-product mixture in Boer crossbred goat diets on fecal traits, growth, and feed efficiency

PHAN NHAN (Faculty of Applied Biology, Tay Do University. 68 Tran Chien Street, Thanh My Area, Cai Rang Ward, Can Tho City 900000, Vietnam)
LE VAN PHONG (Faculty of Applied Biology, Tay Do University. 68 Tran Chien Street, Thanh My Area, Cai Rang Ward, Can Tho City 900000, Vietnam)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Abstract. Nhan P, Phong LV. 2026. Effects of rainy-season by-product mixture in Boer crossbred goat diets on fecal traits, growth, and feed efficiency. Asian J Agric 10 (2): g100220. https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjagric/g100220. Rainy-season goat production in tropical smallholder systems is challenged by fluctuating feed availability, high dietary moisture, and the cost of conventional feed resources. This study evaluated whether locally available banana stem (Musa spp.), sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas), and brewers’ grains could partially replace the basal diet while maintaining fecal stability and growth in Boer crossbred goats (Capra hircus). Thirty-two healthy goats, with an initial body weight of 19.86 ± 1.07 kg and approximately 5-6 months of age, were assigned to a completely randomized design with four treatments and eight goats per treatment. The control group received the basal diet, whereas PB10, PB20, and PB30 received diets in which 10%, 20%, and 30% of basal diet dry matter were replaced by the by-product mixture, respectively. The mixture contained banana stem, sweet potato vine, and brewers’ grains at a 40:40:20 ratio on a dry matter basis. The trial lasted 70 days, including 10 days of adaptation and 60 days of data collection. Fecal traits, dry matter intake, feed refusal, body weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and selected health observations were recorded. Treatment effects were significant for mean fecal score (P < 0.001), fecal moisture (P = 0.002), average daily gain (P = 0.003), feed conversion ratio (P = 0.005), and feed refusal (P = 0.012). PB20 showed the most favorable response, with better growth and feed efficiency while maintaining lower fecal score and moisture than PB30. Under single-farm rainy-season conditions, 20% replacement appeared to provide the best balance between by-product use, fecal stability, and productive performance.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

aja

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry

Description

Aims and Scope Asian Journal of Agriculture encourages submission of manuscripts dealing with all aspects to optimizing the quality and quantity of both plant and animal yield and final products, including agricultural economics and management, agricultural engineering and mechanization, agronomy ...