FEEDING PREFERENCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP AND GOAT FED Sacciolepis africana LEAF MEAL

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to determine the feeding preference and acceptability of Sacciolepis africana  leaves by West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep and goat. Sacciolepis africana leaves were harvested and processed into four treatments viz: Diet 1 (Freshly cut Sacciolepis africana), diet 2 (Ensiled Sacciolepis africana), diet 3 (Air-dried Sacciolepis africana) and diet 4 (Sun-dried Sacciolepis africana). Proximate composition of the diets was carried out, using standard laboratory procedure and the feeding preference of twelve each, of growing WAD sheep and goats were observed. Results obtained indicated that the proximate composition of the diets were influenced (P<0.05) by the processing methods. Coefficient of Preference (CoP) of the diets for WAD goats revealed that ensiled Sacciolepis africana was the most preferred with a CoP of 1.70 while the WAD sheep relished fresh and Sun-dried Sacciolepis africana with CoP values of 1.40 and 1.26 respectively. It is concluded that, processing Sacciolepis africana improved its nutritional composition and acceptability by WAD goat while the fresh Sacciolepis africana was most preferred by WAD sheep