Nutritive value, feed intake and blood profile of buckling goats fed diets containing Pleurotus ostreatus biodegraded sugarcane scrapings

This study examined the effects of biodegrading sugarcane scrapings (SS) with Pleurotus ostreatus on their chemical and phytochemical composition and the impact of feeding biodegraded sugarcane scrapings (BSS) diets on feed intake and hematology of growing goats. Twenty-one healthy Kano Brown bucklings (6–7 months old, average weight 9.40 ± 0.39 kg) were assigned to three diets with BSS inclusion levels of 0% (T1), 15% (T2), and 30% (T3) in a completely randomized design for a duration of 16 weeks. Biodegradation of SS enhanced crude protein, ether extract, and non-structural carbohydrate content while reducing dry matter, fiber fractions, metabolizable energy, and phytochemical levels compared to untreated sugarcane scrapings. Nutrient intake, except for non-structural carbohydrates, was highest (P<0.05) in T2. Hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were also higher in T2, while red blood cell counts were significantly greater (P<0.05) in T2 and T3. All hematological parameters remained within normal ranges. Biodegradation with P. ostreatus improved the nutritive value of SS, and incorporating BSS (15%) in goat diets enhanced nutrient intake and maintained health, offering a sustainable, non-conventional feed alternative. In conclusion, incorporating 30 kg of biodegraded sugarcane scrapings into the diet of goats was deemed safe, as it supported optimal performance.