The objective ofthis experiment was to verify the response of lactating goats fed diets withdifferent levels (content) of soybean hulls replacing coastcross hay (Cynodonsp.) on performance. Thirty-six lactating Saanen goats (38±5 days oflactation; 2.1±0.4 kg/day) were assigned to a randomized complete blocksdesign and housed for 8 weeks. Goats were fed diets of 50% roughage and 50%concentrate, but with the same amount of neutral detergent fiber. Soybean hullsreplaced hay by 0, 33, 67 or 100% of the dry matter (DM). Dry matter and NDFintake and feed efficiency showed a quadratic response to the levels of soybeanhulls in the diet. Milk yield and body weight variations did not change; however,milk fat, lactose and total solids concentration increased while time spentwith rumination and chewing decreased, when soybean hulls were added to thediet. Soybean hulls can replace entirely coastcross hay in diets for lactatinggoats, with no detrimental effect on milk yield or with an increase on milkfat and lactose concentration. Compared with chopped coastcross hay, soybeanhulls show less effectiveness to stimulate rumination and chewing.
