Researchers conducted three experiments to study how different types of rice straw can be used by goats in Malaysia. They found that exposing rice straw to rain and sun reduces its nitrogen and phosphorus content. Treating rice straw with urea increases its intake and digestibility for goats compared to just supplementing with urea. Goats fed urea-treated straw had higher ammonia and fatty acid levels in their rumen and better nitrogen retention. However, goats fed untreated straw absorbed more dietary phosphorus. The time it takes for food to pass through a goat's digestive system was similar for all diets, but slightly longer for goats fed urea-treated straw.