Effect of dietary inorganic and organic chromium on nutrient utilization and growth performance in Black Bengal goats (Capra hircus)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary chromium (Cr) supplementation on nutrient utilization and growth performance in Black Bengal goats. Thirty Black Bengal kids of 3–5 months (5.40 ± 0.34 kg body weight) were assigned randomly to five groups. The experimental diets consisted of a basal diet supplemented with Cr at the rate of 0 (basal diet without any supplementation), 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg (inorganic Cr), and 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg (organic Cr). The duration of the growth experiment was 150 d, followed by a 7-d digestibility trial. Results showed that the total dry matter and crude protein intake of Cr supplemented groups were comparable with the control group (P = 1.00). However, the nutrient utilization in the 1.5 mg/kg inorganic Cr and 1.5 mg/kg organic Cr groups were better, with a higher digestibility coefficient for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, organic matter, total carbohydrate, and hemicellulose (P < 0.05) when compared with the remaining groups. The average daily gain of 1.5 mg/kg organic Cr supplemented groups were significantly higher than the rest of the groups (P = 0.039). Cr supplementation tended to improve the feed conversion ratio per dry matter intake (P = 0.09) and crude protein intake (P = 0.023) in all the treatment groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1.5 mg/kg organic Cr may positively influence the nutrient utilization and body weight gain of Black Bengal goats.