Some of the breakdown products produced through digestion of feed by bacteria are absorbed by the animal through the rumen wall and can supply a large part of the energy needs. The rest of the byproducts of digestion, undigested feed and ruminal microorganisms flow out of the reticulo-rumen into the omasum where large feed particles are trapped for further digestion and water is reabsorbed. Material then flows into the abomasum where acidic digestion takes place and then to the small intestine for further enzymatic digestion and nutrient absorption.
The rumen provides several advantages to the goat in addition to digestion of dietary fiber. The bacteria in the rumen are capable of synthesizing all B vitamins needed. Bacteria can also synthesize protein from nitrogen recycled in the body, which may be advantageous in low protein diets.
For proper ruminal function, goats require a certain level of fiber in the diet, measured as crude fiber, acid detergent fiber or neutral detergent fiber. They have bacteria in the rumen that can detoxify anti-nutritional factors like tannins. Their digestive tracts, which are similar to those of cattle, sheep and deer, consist of the mouth, oesophagus, four stomach compartments, small intestine and large intestine.
Like other ruminant animals, goats have no upper incisor or canine teeth. Goats depend on the dental pad in front of the hard palate, lower incisor teeth, lips and tongue to take food into their mouths. Rumen: This is the largest of the four stomach compartments of ruminant animals.
The capacity of the rumen of goats ranges from 3 to 6 gallons depending on the type of feed. The conversion of the cellulose of feeds to volatile fatty acids acetic, propionic, and butyric acids is the result of microbiological activities in the rumen. These volatile fatty acids are absorbed through the rumen wall and provide up to 80 percent of the total energy requirements of the animal. Microbial digestion in the rumen is the basic reason why ruminant animals effectively utilize fibrous feeds and are maintained primarily on roughages.
Rumen microorganisms also convert components of the feed to useful products such as the essential amino acids, the B complex vitamins, and vitamin K. The rumen is often very noisy during the digestion process and will make lots of sounds. Not only do goats absorb many nutrients through their rumens, but all that rumen activity helps to keep them warm.
Once the cud has been broken down enough it passes to the next chamber, the reticulum. The reticulum is the second chamber and aids the rumen in the fermentation process of food break down.
From here the food moves onto the omasum. This chamber has many folds that helps to remove the water from the food particles and further grind them up. Volatile fatty acids are absorbed in this chamber. This gives the goat needed energy. After the first two chambers, food is then passed into the Omasum.
The omasum functions as a filter where water is reabsorbed and food is pushed along to the Abomasum. The Abomasum is the last compartment and is the true stomach. This compartment functions like our stomachs by breaking down food with acids and enzymes. Finally, digested food passes to the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed. Remaining water is then reabsorbed in the large intestine before being passed from the body as solid waste. Other benefits of the digestive system other than allowing goats to digest dense plant fibers are the ability to synthesize vitamins and proteins.
Thanks to the bacteria that live in the rumen, these microbes can synthesize all necessary B vitamins. However, high concentrations of tannins can have negative effects on goat health. Knowing the goat digestive system is important for every goat owner. Understanding this process helps in planning dietary plans, feed strategies on trail, and overall nutrition.
This information also helps understand what is toxic, harmful, and beneficial for goat digestive health.
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