Intake of ashe juniper and live oak by Angora goats

Abstract

Angora mutton goats (Capra hircus) were fed diets of either live oak [Quercus virginiana (Small) Sarg. var. fusiformis], alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa L.), Coastal bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon (L.)Pers.) or female ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei Buchholz) plus Coastal bermudagrass hay during the spring and fall of 1991 in a digestion/metabolism study. Nitrogen concentration of Coastal bermudagrass hay was nearly equal to that of alfalfa hay; nitrogen concentration of ashe juniper and live oak were much lower than those of the hays, and were higher in fall than spring. Dry matter intake and dietary nitrogen were highest for alfalfa hay, intermediate for Coastal bermudagrass hay, and lower for ashe juniper and live oak. Goats retained more nitrogen when consuming alfalfa and Coastal bermudagrass hays than juniper or live oak during fall, but differences were smaller (P > 0.10) during spring. Nitrogen balance was negative for goats consuming live oak in the spring. Nitrogen balance was positive for live oak in the fall and positive for ashe juniper for the spring and fall. Animals fed hay diets had higher levels of urine output than those fed juniper or live oak. Dry matter digestibility of juniper and live oak diets was less in fall than in spring. During fall, dry matter intakes of juniper and live oak were significantly lower than those of alfalfa and Coastal bermudagrass hays. We conclude that both ashe juniper and live oak foliage can provide nutrients for goats but only as portions of diets.