PERFORMANCE OF PRE-WEANED WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED SOYABEAN DIET AS REPLACER FOR MILK

Abstract

Thirty-five early weaned west African dwarf (WAD) goats kids weighing 1-1.5kg at birth were used to evaluate the performance of pre-weaned kids fed soyabean diet (SBD) as replacer for milk. Replacement of whole milk with soyabean diet up to 50% level had no significant (P>0.05) effect on dry matter intake (g/day) of the kids. Replacement of whole milk with SBD up to 25% had no appreciable effect on weight gains, and efficiency of feed utilization of the kids (P>0.05), values observed for weight gains, and efficiency of feed utilization decreased significantly (P<0.05) as 50% of whole milk was replaced with SBD, kids running with their dam had lower weight gains (P < 0.05) when compared with those reared artificially on experimental diets between 7 and 13 weeks of age. Result suggested that replacement of milk with 25% SBD, will give adequate performance for pre-weaned kids. This level can be higher from 6 weeks after parturition but must not exceed 50% percent of replacement with SBD.