Effect of feed restriction on compensatory growth response of young male goats

Forty eight 8-month-old male goats were divided into three groups. In each group, eight goats were feedrestrictedfor 45, 60 or 75 days, and eight goats served as the control. Restricted groups were fed with amaintenance ration, and the control goats were fed with a ration supporting 50 g of daily weight gain. At theend of restriction period, the restricted goats were offered the same ration as the control goats. When theaverage weight of the 75-day restricted goats approached that of the control, the goats were slaughtered. Thecarcass, several organs, carcass cuts and dissectible (trimmed) fat were weighed, and the chemicalcomposition of the meat was determined. Feed restriction decreased the proportion in live weight of thedissectible fat, internal fat, liver and testis weight, meat dry matter and fat content, but the proportion ofintestinal and splenic weights, and meat protein content were increased. Re-alimentation after 75 days ofrestriction was associated with a greater daily gain and less internal fat. Other measurements were notdifferent from the control. Data showed that 8-month-old native kids are capable of considerablecompensatory growth after 75 days of feed restriction without any deleterious effect on carcass composition.