Evaluation of different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions on performance, ingestive behavior, and nitrogen balance in dairy goats

Cell components soluble in neutral detergent are a diverse group, both compositionally and nutritionally. The present study aimed to evaluate production responses, behavior (eating, ruminating, and idling), and nitrogen balance of dairy goats fed different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions. Five multiparous Alpine does with mean ± SD initial body mass of 49.5 ± 7.9 kg and 60 days of lactation were randomly assigned in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments were the ratios of starch (starch associated with soluble sugar [StSS]) to neutral detergent-soluble fiber (NDSF) (StSS:NDSF): 0.89, 1.05, 1.24, 1.73, and 2.92. No effect was observed ( P > 0.05) of StSS:NDSF on the intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and NDSC. However, DM intake showed a quadratic behavior ( P = 0.049). The ingestive behavior was affected by StSS:NDSF linearly increased ( P = 0.002) the feeding efficiency. The increase in StSS:NDSF caused a linear increase in fecal ( P = 0.011), urinary ( P