VOLUNTARY FEED INTAKE, FEED UTILIZATION AND BODY WEIGHT OF RED SOKOTO GOATS FED CONCENTRATE REPLACED WITH Parkia biglobosa

Abstract

To assess the effect of replacement of supplemental concentrate diet at 0 (T1), 25 (T2) and 50% (T3) with Parkia biglobosa (PB) forage (dry matter basis) on feed intake, utilization efficiency and weight change, fifteen Red Sokoto bucklings were used in a 70-d experiment. Goats were fed at 5% of their body weight (BW). Intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and nitrogen free extract were outstanding (p<0.05) for concentrate replacement with 25% PB forage compared with 0 and 50% replacement. Intakes of crude fibre and ether extract and final BW were not (p>0.05) affected by the diets. Mineral (ash) intake was greater (p<0.05) for 25% concentrate replacement than 50% concentrate replacement with PB forage. However, mineral intake was similar for 0 and 25% and 0 and 50% concentrate replacement respectively. While final BW was similar across the treatments, BW gain was higher for T2 than for T1 and T3 which had parallel BW gain. Feed efficiency expressed as (kg BW gain/kg DM intake and kg BW gain/kg CP intake) was not influenced by the diets. Concentrate ration can replaced by 50% of PB forage in the diet of goats without impairing the growth performance. However, for optimisation of growth performance, 25% concentrate replacement with Parkia forage is recommended.