South African Journal of Animal Science versão impressa ISSN
0375-1589 ATAşOğLU, C et al. Effects of kefir as a probiotic
source on the performance of goat kids. S. Afr. j. anim. sci.
[online]. 2010, vol.40, n.4, pp. 363-370. ISSN 0375-1589. Kefir
is a sour, viscous, slightly carbonated and alcoholic milk
beverage, which is traditionally fermented using a culture of
bacteria and yeasts. The influence of kefir on health has been
well studied in mice and rats. However, research on kefir use in
ruminants is rather limited. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effect of kefir as a probiotic on the
performance of goat kids during the pre- (45 days) and post-
weaning (45 days) periods. Forty eight kids were randomly
allocated to four treatment groups: Control, Kefir, Auto-Kefir
(autoclaved) and Probiotic (a commercial probiotic). The kids
were weaned at 45 days of age. The supplementation of different
probiotics did not have any significant effect throughout the
study on live weight and weight gain of the ki