The effects of chitosan addition to the diets on the fattening performance, blood and rumen parameters in kids

In this study, the effects of different levels of chitosan addition to the diets on fattening performance, blood and rumen parameters were investigated in goat. With this purpose, thirty Honamlı hybrid male goats, each 5-6 month-old and at similar weight were used in this trial. Animals were divided into three groups, as one control and two test groups, each consisting10 goats. While chitosan was not added to the concentrate of the control group,100 ppm and 200 ppm chitosan was added to the concentrate of the first and second experimental groups, respectively. The experiment was carried out for a total of 63 days, including 7 days of adaptation and 56 days of experimentation period. During the trial, in addition to the concentrate feed, alfafa, and wheat straw were given to animals and water ad libitum. The goats were weighed before feeding in the morning at day 0, 14, 28, 42 ve 56. On the day of 56, blood sampling was performed from randomly selected 7 animals from each group and rumen fluid was taken from randomly selected 5 animals from each group. Whole blood counts and biochemical parameters in blood. serum values were analyzed. The pH, protozoa count, and volatile fatty acid levels were determined in the rumen fluids at the end of the experiment. No significant difference was observed in serum biochemical values, volatile fatty acid levels and Ph in rumen, however, there was a statistically significant difference in the number of protozoa, WBC, RBC, and MID values in the whole blood. In this study, it was concluded that chitosan addition to the diets did not make any significant differences on fattening performance and some blood and rumen parameters. In order to understand the effects of chitosan in goat diets, it would be beneficial to perform similar studies at higher doses in a longer period.