Hematological Parameters of Saanen × Bach Thao Crossbred Goats Fed Corn Stover Silage

This study evaluated the effects of corn stover silage on hematological parameters of Saanen × Bach Thao crossbred goats under semi-intensive management conditions. Forty-five six-month-old goats (average body weight 12 kg) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with three replicates (five animals per replicate). The control group (CON) was fed fresh elephant grass and 1.0 kg/head/day of concentrate. Treatment 1 (T1) and Treatment 2 (T2) were fed corn stover silage combined with elephant grass and reduced concentrate levels of 0.5 and 0.2 kg/head/day, respectively. The experimental period lasted 90 days following a two-week adaptation phase. Blood samples were collected at four time points: before the trial, at day 45, at day 90, and one week post-trial. Hematological indices were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer, and data were processed using descriptive statistics and T-tests at α = 0.05. Results indicated that most hematological parameters, including white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and platelet indices (PLT), remained within physiological reference ranges throughout the experimental period. No significant adverse effects of corn stover silage inclusion were observed. Minor fluctuations among treatments were detected but were not biologically meaningful. These findings suggest that corn stover silage can be effectively incorporated into diets of Saanen × Bach Thao crossbred goats without compromising hematological health status.