Development of an Intensive Native Goat Rearing Model to Enhance Production Efficiency for Vulnerable Youth in Thailand's Southern Border Provinces

Abstract

This study aimed to develop an intensive native goat farming model and to enhance rearing capabilities for vulnerable (unemployed) youth in Thailand's southern border provinces. Using a completely randomized design (CRD), twenty 6–7-month-old native goats were divided into four groups (5 goats/group): Group 1 received only Napier grass; Group 2 received Napier grass supplemented with 2% BW commercial feed; Group 3 received Napier grass plus 2% BW concentrated feed Formula A (yeast-fermented corn); Group 4 received Napier grass plus 2% BW concentrated feed Formula B (rice bran + fish meal).  (After a 120-day trial (concluding at week 16), initial weights were 7.73±1.00, 7.60±1.07, 7.73±0.81, and 7.66±1.10 kg/animal for Groups 1–4, respectively, with weight gain percentages of 19.81, 29.50, 31.59, and 36.17%, respectively). Nutritional analysis revealed that Formula A contained 13.8% crude protein, 8.1% fat, 10.2% crude fiber (CF), and 40–50% moisture; whereas Formula B contained 15.20% protein, 4.5% fat, 9.4% crude fiber (CF), and 40–50% moisture. Fresh Napier grass contained 9.8% protein, 0.6% fat, 33.2% crude fiber (CF), and 9.3% moisture, while fermented Napier grass

contained 10.2% protein, 10.2% fat, 32.1% crude fiber (CF), and 9.9% moisture. Production costs averaged at 5.80 THB/kg (dry) and 3.49 THB/kg (fresh) for Formula A, and 10.54 THB/kg (dry) and 6.33 THB/kg (fresh) for Formula B, enabling farmers to reduce feed costs by over 50%.