GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND WEIGHT GAIN BY GOATS FED BLACK PEPPER SUPPLEMENTED DIETS)

Abstract

(A Seventy (70) days study aimed at investigating growth performance and (weight gain by) goats fed black pepper supplemented diets was conducted. The study involved twelve (12) West African Dwarf goats aged 1-2 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= (Control diet) 0mg, B= 250mg, C= 500mg, and D= 750mg. Parameters investigated were (nutrient composition), nutrient intake, (nutrient digestibility nitrogen utilization) and performance characteristics of the goats. Data generated were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at (P<0.05) results revealed that, diet C had the highest numerical weight gain values (3.67kg), ranges from (5.13- 8.80), followed by diet D which is 5.07 – 8.62, Diet A ranges from 5.0- 8.28 and diet B from 4.90- 8.20. Goats fed diet C (65.48 g/day) had the highest daily weight gain while those fed diet D converted their feed to flesh (4.23) better than other goats however, any diets could be fed to enhance Performance of the goats since there was no significant (P>0.05) differences among the performance parameters. The study concluded that black pepper as an additive could serve as an affordable and sustainable way of improving protein quality
of diet and fiber utilization by ruminants).