Goat kid's growth improvement with a lactic probiotic fed on a standard base diet

The objective of the present study was to increase kid's growth fed on alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa) and a high protein concentrate, with the addition of a lactic probiotic containing lactobacilli. A 120 day experiment was carried out in Mexico with 80 alpine kids divided in two groups, with two goats fixed with ruminal cannulas in each group. The basal diet was made of 55 % alfalfa and 45% high protein concentrate. Kids in treatment 1 (T1) were fed on a basal diet only. Animals in treatment 2 (T2) were fed on a basal diet mixed with a lactic probiotic solution. Daily weight gain were 129 g/d and 169 g/d for T1 and T2 respectively (P < 0.05). NH3 concentration was higher in T2 (P < 0.05). Nitrogen digestibility was greater in T2 (80.2%) in comparison with T1 (57.6%). Fibre digestibility was better in T2 (P < 0.05). NDF digestibility were improved in T2 (P < 0.05). True digestibility was 47.7% in T2 and 38.3% in T1. Half-time disappearance for hemicellulose was higher (P < 0.05) for T2 (32.03 h) compared to T1 (17.37 h). Lactobacillus plantarum, L. helvaticus, L. delbrueckii, Lactoccocus lactis, L. cremoris and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were identified. Lactobacilli counts were 1.6 and 4.4 million/ml the first day and increased to 5.5 and 12.5 million/ml in 7 days. Purines were significantly increased with the probiotic diet of T2 (P < 0.05). Adding a probiotic to the diet increased body weight gain and digestibility of fibre in the rumen of goat kids in T2.