The objective of this work was to evaluate nutrients apparent digestibility of diets containing cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) meal or palm kernel (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) cake, which partially replaced corn and soybean meal concentrate in lactating goats feeding. Five Saanen goats, in 60 days of lactation, were used in a 5x5 latin square experimental design, during 14 days, comprehending an adaptation period of 10 days and four days for data collection. Diets formulated to allow milk production of 2 kg day-1 consisted of 36% roughage and 64% concentrate. The roughage used was corn silage and 0%, 15% and 30% of cocoa meal or palm kernel cake substituted the standard concentrate. There was reduction of crude protein real digestibility with inclusion of cocoa meal (15% and 30%). The ether extract apparent digestibility coefficient of diets, with 30% palm kernel cake, was greater than that of 15% cocoa meal. The by-products have potential as alternative feed for lactating goats, based on their apparent digestibility.
goat; residues; by-products
