Protein requirements of growing Shami kids using protected methionine

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of protein to growing kids of the Shami breed. Weanling Shami kids (n=18; 75 to 90 days old) were selected and individually housed at the experimental farm. Kids were divided randomly to one of the three treatments. The three dietary treatments were: T1: Control ration, formulated according to NRC (1981) to cover the protein and other   nutrients required (level 1.)., 2: T2, ration formulated to covered only 75% of protein recommended by NRC (level 2.) and 3:  T3, Control diet + protected methionine 2.4 g Smartamine® ®/ day/ kid (level 3). Kids were individually fed their respective diets ad libitum for 12 weeks and feed intake was recorded daily for each kid. Initial and monthly body weights were also recorded. Blood samples were collected monthly and analyzed for metabolites, Co, Zn and Cu levels. Data was analyzed using CRD with repeated measurements. Decreasing the dietary level of protein (T1) negatively affected (P<0.05) the total live weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion ration when compared with the control and T2 groups. There was no significant effect (P>0.05) of treatments on the total feed intake. Moreover, methionine supplementation, time and time x treatment caused a significant (P<0.05) change on Co concentration in blood serum with a higher value at the end of the experiment.  Only time effect (P<0.05) was detected on cholesterol, albumin and creatinine levels with lower values at the end of the experiment. Methionine supplementation (T2) increased the growth rate and density of Shami hair when compared with the control and T1 groups. In conclusion, the NRC recommendation level of protein for growing kids cover the requirements of growing Shami breed kids with proper performance. Feeding protected methionine (Smartamine® above NRC requirements only affects the growth and yield of Shami kids' hair