EFFECT OF FEED UTILIZATION ON THE BODY CONDITION SCORE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) AND SAHEL DOES USING LIKERT SCALE ANALYSIS IN BALI, TARABA STATE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4184Keywords:
Feeds, body condition score, Gmelina leaves, Ficus leaves, Likert scaleAbstract
The study evaluated the influence of feed utilization on body condition score of West African Dwarf and Sahel does at theTeaching and Research farm of the Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba State. A total of 24 does of the two breeds were used for the experiment. They were fed Gmelina and cassava peel meal, Gmelina and cowpea husk, Ficus and cassava peel meal and, Ficus and cowpea husk as experimental treatments (T1-T4), respectively. The body condition was scored from 1 to 5. The backbone, loin and rump areas were palpated to determine the degree of sharpness or roundness and therefore the muscles and fat under the skin were evaluated. The study was aimed at determining the management tool that can be used to evaluate the nutritional status of animals. In conclusion therefore, the likert rated moderate BCS for WAD while thick was rated for Sahel breed of goats. Animals fed diet containing Gmelina leaves gives a higher (thick at average) BCS.
