Nutrients intake and weight gain ofWest African dwarf goats fed maize offal substituted with urea-molasses treated cassava peel diets

Abstract

A study that involved 20West African dwarf (WAD) goats aged 1½ - 2 years with an average live weight of 13.86 ± 0.14 kg was carried out to evaluate nutrients intake, digestibility, Weight gain, nitrogen balance and feed to gain ratio of WAD goats fedmaize offal substituted with urea-molasses treated cassava peels meal. The goats were divided into 5 groups of four goats per group and allotted to individual pens in a completely randomized design. The experimental period lasted 63days excluding two weeks of adaptation. Five diets were formulated such thatmaize offal was substitutedwith ensiled urea-molasses cassava peels at ratio 0% (A), 20% (B), 30% (C), 40% (D), 50% (E) respectively. The drymatter ranged from 91.26 (diet E) to 91.69% (diet A) while diet B had highest NDF (32.39%) and energy (16.61KJ/100gDM). The crude protein content ranged between 16.31 (diet A) and 23.30% (diet E) and increased with the increased inclusion of urea-molasses treated cassava peel meal in the diets. Nutrients intake, apparent digestibility, dailyweight gain, nitrogen balance and feed to gain ratio were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the treatments except hemicelluloses and cellulose. The highest dry matter (549.42g/day) and crude protein (108. 95g/day) intake were observed in goats fed diet C. All the diets were adequately utilized however, goats fed diet B have the best weight gain (61.90g/day) and convert their feed to flesh better (8.52) than others goats.Hence, the diet was palatable, acceptable and tolerable to the goats without a sign of ill-health. Thus, maize offal replaced with ensiled 20% ureamolasses treated cassava peelsmeal could be a good source of protein and energy that would enhance nutrient utilization by ruminants during difficultmonths of the dry season.