THE USE OF RUMEN WASTE AS PROTEIN SOURCE IN REPLACEMENT FOR PALM KERNEL MEAL AND ITS EFFECT ON FEED INTAKE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND RETENTION OF WEANED WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS.

Abstract

Rumen wastes are abattoirs wastes, available in enormous amount in most slaughter houses in Nigeria. Owing to their nutritional value, utilizing them as a protein source in the diets of ruminants has become of interest. This study was carried out to investigate effect of replacing palm kernel meal with rumen waste on feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty five West African Dwarf goats were fed five diets containing Cattle Rumen Waste (CRW) and Goat Rumen Waste (GRW) at 0%, 20% and 40% inclusion levels, respectively, using a completely randomized design for a period of 12 weeks. At the end of the 10th week, a digestibility trial was conducted for a period of 14 days; daily feed intake and weekly weight changes were recorded. Urine samples were collected in plastic containers and acidified with few drops of 25% sulphuric acid. Aliquots and feed samples as well as urine samples were subjected to proximate analysis. Dry Matter Intake, Organic Matter Intake, Weight Gain as well as Dry Matter (DM) and Organic Matter (OM) digestibilities, were similar (P>0.05) for all the treatments. Except for goats on diet 5 (40% GRC), which had the least Dry Matter and Organic Matter digestibility. This is an indication that rumen waste can adequately replace PKM as a protein source in the diets of WAD goats, with an adequate and commensurate feed intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention.