FIBRE FRACTION UTILIZATION AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF BUCKS FED BLACK PEPPER (PIPER NIGRUM) SEED MEAL SUPPLEMENTED DIETS

Abstract

A seventy (70) day study aimed at investigating fibre fraction utilization and growth performance of West African Dwarf bucks fed black pepper supplemented diets was conducted. The study involved twelve (12) West African Dwarf bucks aged 1-1½ years with an average live weight of 5.02±0.23 kg. A basal diet was formulated and supplemented with varying levels of black pepper as A= 0mg, B= 250mg, C= 500mg, and D= 750mg. Parameters investigated were nutrient composition, nutrient intake, and performance characteristics of the bucks Data generated were subjected to statistical
analysis and from the result, diet D had the highest crude protein (17.37%). Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) increased with increased black pepper supplementation. Acid detergent lignin (ADL) ranged from 10.69% (diet B) to 13.28% (diet C). NDF and ADL intake were significantly (p<0.05) impacted by treatment. The NDF and ADL intake was significantly (p<0.05) impacted by treatment, ADF intake ranged from 133g/day (diet A) to 198.75g/day (diet C), ADL intake ranged from 33.71 g/day (diet D) to 60.24g/day (Diet A). Performance characteristics showed that daily weight gain of bucks fed diet D (63.48 g/day) was the highest and bucks fed diet C converted their feed to flesh (4.23) better than other goats however, any of the diets could be fed to enhance performance of the bucks since there was no significant (p>0.05) differences among the performance parameters. The study concluded that black pepper as additive could serve as affordable and sustainable way of improving protein quality of diet and fibre utilization by ruminants.