EFFECT OF FORMALDEHYDE-TREATED FABA BEANS (VICIA-FABA L) ON PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING GOATS

Feeding of 400 g day(-1) faba beans (Vicia faba L.), untreated (T-0) or treated with formaldehyde at 0.43 g 100 g(-1) (T-1) or 0.54 g 100 g(-1) (T-2) faba bean protein, to lactating goats for a period of 105 days did not show any adverse effect on the total intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrient (TDN). Digestibility coefficients of DM, CP, ether extract (EE), nitrogen free extract (NFE), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) did not vary significantly among treatment groups. Nitrogen (N) balance was positive in all groups. Ruminal pH, NH3-N, serum glucose, protein and urea were also similar in all treatment groups. Formaldehyde-protected faba beans did not improve significantly total milk yield, milk fat and total solids. Percentage milk protein, however, decreased (P < 0.05) in T-1 and T-2. Treatment of faba bean protein with formaldehyde at 0.54 g % did not show any significant improvement in the performance of lactating goats in milk yield, its composition or digestibility of nutrients. Thus, this level of formaldehyde may not be an economical proposition. However, in view of a trend towards better performance of the animals, higher levels of formaldehyde for treating faba bean protein need to be tried.