DIETARY EFFECT OF PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT

Abstract

It is important to find alternative source(s) of feed for ruminants feeding in lieu of the limited availability of conventional concentrates and the competition for this resource by man. One plant with great potential for the livestock is oil palm tree with associated residues that include empty fruit bunches (EFB), slurries or decanted cake (DC), palm kernel cake (PKC) and Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME). Twenty (20) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with an average live-weight of 16.00+0.51 kg were used to evaluate the dietary effect of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) on the growth performance of WAD goats. Five experimental diets were formulated such that cassava peel meal was substituted with varying levels of POME at 0% (diet A), 10% (diet B), 20% (diet C), 30% (diet D), and 40% (diet E) and fed to four (4) goats per treatment for a period of 84days. Parameters assessed include; nutrient intake, digestibility, feed/gain ratio and weight gain. Results showed that dry matter values of the diets ranged from 88.43 (diet E) 89.19% (diet D). The crude protein contents increased with increased inclusion level of POME, the highest value (19.30%) was observed in diet E and least value (10.60%) in diet A. The nutrients intake was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the inclusion of POME in the diets. The dry matter intake ranged from 401.57 (diet E) to 554.91 (diet A). Crude protein intake (( CP) increased with increased level of POME in the diets, the highest CPI (77.50g/day) was observed in goats fed diet E. The DM, CP. CF and EE were digested better by the goats fed diet E compared to goats fed diet A. Goats fed diet E had the best weight gain (72.62 g/day) and convert their feed to flesh (5.65) better than other goats. Hence, the appreciable CPI, weight gain and feed/gain ratio of goats fed diet that contained 4 0% POME suggest that POME can be used as a valuable source of protein and energy supplement for ruminant during dry season to reduce cost of production and increase profitability