Use of Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris Saccharifera) Bulb for Fattening Goat’s Kids under Tropical Conditions of Sudan

In this study the effects of feeding sugar beet bulb to kids as grain replacement were determined. Twenty four goat kids were used each in a 4x2x3 arrangement. Sugar beet bulb replaced sorghum grain in experimental diets at 0, 11, 22 and 33%. Goat kids total weight gains were, 4.91, 4.81, 4.48 and 2.48 for group A (control), B, C and D respectively. Daily feed intake was 0.37, 0.39, 0.39 and 0.30 kg for groups A, B, C and D respectively. Groups A and B had the best feed conversion ratios 6.40 and 6.89 respectively. Treatment effect was not significant (p > 0.05) in absolute slaughter values except for feet weight. Warm carcass weight was superior in group A (8.43±0.64), this group recorded the highest values for most of the slaughter components except head, spleen and tail. Groups C and D were lowest in most slaughter values. Treatment effect was not significant (p > 0.05) in dressing-out percentages on empty body basis which were 51.77, 51.36, 51.38 and 43.27 for groups A, B, C and D respectively. Treatment effect was not significant (p > 0.05) in average weights of carcass cuts and their percentages out of the warm carcass, except plate , brisket and fore shank in the absolute values and brisket and fore shank in the percentage expressions. In meat quality attributes, goat kids recorded ranges of tenderness 73.3-100%, flavor 66.4-100%, color 53.30 -100% and juiciness 33.4-93.30%.