Performance of West African dwarf goats fed Panicum maximum and concentrate diets supplemented with Lablab (Lablab purpureus), Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) foliage.

Abstract

Performance of Sixteen West African dwarf (WAD) goats were evaluated by feeding varying proportions of Lablab purpureus (LP) and Panicum maximum (PM) based diets. The study lasted for 105 days during which Leucaena leucocephala (LL) with Panicum maximum (PM) were fed at ratio 25:75 (T), Gliricidia sepium (GS) and PM at ratio 25:75 (T) and Lablab purpureus (LP) with PM were fed at ratio 25:75 (T) and 50:50 (T)) respectively. Concentrate (13 % CP) was given to the animals at 1 % body weight. The animals were arranged in a completely randomized design. Parameters such as feed intake, growth rate, digestibility and nitrogen balance were monitored. The DM intake (g/kgW0.75/day) was not significant among the treatment means. Animals placed on 50 % lablab had better dry matter than goats in other treatments. Treatment 3 and 4 had highest values 115.71 and 121.87 respectively than the control, Treatment, The crude protein intake (g/ kgW0.75/day) was highest in treatment 4 (23.97) and lowest in treatment 3 (20.57). The liveweight gain (g/day) was highest in animals fed with leucaena and those on 50% lablab. The digestibility of DM, CP, ADF, ADL and NDF were generally higher than the control and best in the 50 % lablab supplementation. The N balance (g/kgW0.75/day) and retention were also highest in 50% lablab and lowest in 25 % Gliricidia supplemented diet. Result indicated that feeding lablab at 50 % supplementation with Panicum marimum-diets could lead to improve feed intake, weight gain, digestibility and nitrogen utilization in WAD