Effect of Spirulina platensis Supplementation on Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization in Osmanabadi Goats

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Spirulina platensis supplementation on growth performance and nutrient utilization in Osmanabadi goats. Eighteen healthy kids (3-4 m old, 9-10 kg BW) were divided into three groups: T0 (control, basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 0.25% Spirulina), and T2 (basal diet + 0.50% Spirulina). The feeding trial lasted 90 d, followed by a 7-day metabolism trial. Parameters studied included body weight gain, average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Spirulina supplementation improved body weight gain and ADG numerically, with Group T2 showing higher values compared to control. Digestibility coefficients of DM, CP, CF, EE, and NFE were statistically similar across groups, while nitrogen retention (%) was significantly higher in T1 compared to T0 and T2. It may be concluded that Spirulina supplementation up to 0.5% of dry matter intake can be safely included in the diet of Osmanabadi goats without adverse effects on growth performance and/or nutrient utilization.