The experiment was carried out to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility and the milk yield of goats fed elephant grass silages containing industrial by-products. Eight Saanen breed goats were used, distributed in two 4 × 4 Latin squares, with four 14-day periods (ten days of adaptation and four days for data collection). The treatments were: elephant grass silage + concentrate; elephant grass silage containing 15% cassava meal + concentrate; elephant grass silage containing 15% coffee hulls + concentrate; elephant grass silage containing 15% cocoa meal + concentrate. The greatest intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), total carbohydrates (TC), nonfiber carbohydrate (NFC) and digestible total nutrients were observed in the animals fed silage containing cassava meal. The greatest intake of ether extract was verified in the silages with cassava meal or coffee hulls. The greatest digestibility values of the DM, OM, EE and TC were obtained in the diet containing elephant grass silage with cassava meal. The NFC digestibility value was similar among diets containing elephant grass silage with cassava meal, coffee hulls and cocoa meal. The neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility was greater in the silage without additive, with cassava meal or cocoa meal. Greater intake, digestibility coefficients and milk yield were obtained in goats fed elephant grass silage containing cassava meal.
by-product; conservation; goats; residue; silage
