Marica Goat’s Response To The Provision of Superior Feed

Abstract

Marica goat is an endemic local goat found only in South Sulawesi province. This kind of goat is one of the genotypes of goat originally from Indonesia. According to FAO report this kind of goat belongs to scarce category and is almost endangered. Marica goat has a genetic potential to adapt well in agro-ecosystem area of dry land that is in an annual very low rainfall area. Marica goat can survive at dry season although they feed only on hay in rocky land area. The aim of this study was to find out how marica goat responds to the provision of superior feed. The study was complete random design with 3 treatments and 3 cattle as replication. The treatment applied was the types of foliage provided: field grass (RL), superior grass (RU) and superior grass plus legume (RU+L) . Marica goat used was growing female goat (research result Stage III). The pen used for intensive breeding was individual pen in the form of stage 1.5 x 1.5 m in size made of bamboo supplied with place to feed and place to drink.The results of the study indicate that marica goat had a good response to intensive breeding and provision of superior feed foliage at ex-situ condition. The provision of superior feed foliage at intensive breeding system gave response to body weight increase, feed consumption and efficiency of the use of marica goat’s feed better compared to the provision of superior grass plus legume and field grass.

Keywords: Marica goat; superior feed