DEVELOPMENT OF DUSA-DRIED FOOD LEFTOVER BASED MULTI-NUTRIENT BLOCK IN THE SEMI-ARID REGION OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Study on production of multi-nutrient block was conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Science. Five formulations F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 were developed. Locally available feed ingredients were used to develop the multi-nutrient blocks which includes dusa, dried food leftover, blood meal, poultry litter, urea, molasses, cement, salt and potash. The dry matter composition of the formulations ranged from 95.60% in F2 to 97.50% in F5. The crude protein content ranged from 9.30% in F3 to 15.60% in F4. The ether extract value ranged from 3.00% in F5 to 5.00% F1 and F3. However, the crude fibre values ranged from 10.50% in F4 to 15.50% in F2. The lowest value of ash was recorded in F3 (7.50%) while the highest was recorded in F2 (18.00%). The cost effectiveness of 20 kg mixture producing (10 - 20) blocks for the F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 were ₦781.70, ₦755.95, ₦748.39, ₦754.52 and ₦766.17, respectively. The cost for each block ranged from ₦63 to ₦78.02 for the different formulations. These formulations can be afforded by smallholder farmers for feeding their livestock for improved productivity and performance in a semi-arid environment of Nigeria.