A joint study by Chinese and Pakistani scientists has found that adding a probiotic called Clostridium butyricum to goat feed can make goats healthier by improving digestion and strengthening their immune systems without using antibiotics. The research was carried out by Inner Mongolia Agricultural University in China and edited by Prof. Aziz ur Rahman Muhammad from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan.

The study was published on October 10, 2025, in the international journal PLOS One, Gwadar Pro reported on Thursday. The scientists tested two types of the probiotic, a “rumen-protected” version that lasts longer in the stomach, and a regular version, on 24 goats to study their effects on growth, digestion, and immunity.

According to the paper, “both interventions were effective in reducing the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in feces, increasing β-oxidation products, potentially improving immunity and enhancing fatty acid metabolism in the liver.” In simple terms, the probiotic helped reduce harmful bacteria in the gut and supported energy and immune functions, even though it did not make goats grow faster.

The researchers wrote that “the rumen-protected C. butyricum could alleviate the decrease in rumen pH,” meaning it helped keep the goats’ stomachs healthy, while “direct feeding of C. butyricum could help improve the immune performance of fattening goats.” They also found that “feeding with unprotected C. butyricum significantly increased IgM expression, suggesting a positive impact on the immune response.” IgM is an antibody that helps animals fight infections.

Although the treatments “did not significantly affect growth performance, digestibility, or antioxidant enzyme activity,” the study concluded that they helped “maintain optimal rumen pH and improve meat quality under high-concentrate diet conditions.” The findings suggest that Clostridium butyricum could be a safe, natural alternative to antibiotics in goat farming, helping farmers raise healthier animals and produce better-quality meat.

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25 (PES-25), the country’s total goat population increased from 84.7 million in FY 2022-23 to 87 million in FY 2023-24, and further to 89.4 million in FY 2024-25, as these small ruminants are well-suited to smallholder farmers and regions with limited water resources.

The PES-25 shows that goat milk production in the country was 1.103 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, compared to 1.074 million tonnes in FY 2023–24. This records a 2.7% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, mutton production (from goats and sheep) was 0.835 million tonnes in FY 2024–25.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China