NUTRIENT INTAKE, NITROGEN METABOLISM AND FEED GAIN RATIO OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED CASSAVA PEEL BASED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH GRADED LEVEL OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Abstract

A-90 day study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient intake, nitrogen metabolism and feed gain ratio of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed cassava peel based diets supplemented with graded level of saccharomyces cerevisiae. Five concentrate diets were formulated such that yeast (S. cerevisiae) were supplemented at diet A (control), diet B (0.25g), diet C (0.375g), diet D (0.50g) and diet E (0.625g) respectively. Fifteen WAD goats with an average live weight of 8.30±2.5kg were randomly allotted to the five dietary treatments, of three goats per replicate in a completely randomized design experiment. Parameters assessed included; nutrient composition, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization and weight gain. Results showed that inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae significantly (P<0.05) influenced the dietary treatments. Dry matter (DM) contents ranged from 77.03±0.86% (Diet B) to 82.56±0.46% (Diet A). Crude protein (CP) content of the diets increased progressively with increased supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the diets. Diet E of 0.625g level of S. cerevisiae had the highest CP content of 16.75±1.52%. The DMI was higher in the WAD goats fed the control diet (422.87±10.81) while the CPI was higher in the diet D of 0.5g level of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (78.19±6.95g/day). Highest nitrogen intake (10.70±0.12g/day) and highest nitrogen retained (72.47±2.16%) were obtained in WAD goats fed Diet A (control). However, yeast supplementation caused a better ruminal digestion, improved nitrogen balance and nutrient utilization; and at supplementation level up to 0.625g, no significant improvement was noticed on the weight gain.