Effect of a diet based on mesquite pod, maguey silage and prickly pear on production and physicochemical quality of Saanen goat milk

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production and quality of milk from Sannen goats supplemented with maguey silage, prickly pear cladodes and mesquite pod. Two diets for milk-producing goat were prepared. The first diet was formulated with maize, alfalfa hay, soy meal and poultry litter (diet 1); the second diet was prepared with the same ingredients, and it was supplemented with maguey, prickly pear, and mesquite (diet 2). The diets were subjected to a chemical analysis and an in vitro digestibility test. Eight secondcalving Saanen goats were used. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The considered variables were production of milk per goat per day, and to define its physicochemical quality, percentages of fat, lactose, protein and non-fat solids were measured. Milk production was higher with diet 1 (P < 0.05) but fat percentage was higher (P < 0.05) with diet 2 (3.6 %); the rest of the variables were similar with both diets. Supplementation with maguey silage, prickly pear and mesquite pod decreased milk production; milk quality was similar between diets. In addition, the feed cost per animal decreased 54 %, i.e., it changed from $22 to $10 pesos.