NUTRIENT INTAKE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF ALKALINE TREATED MALTED SORGHUM SPROUT

Résumé

A twelve week trial was conducted to determine the nutrients intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization of West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed diets containing graded levels of Alkaline treated malted sorghum sprout (AMSP) using Panicum maximum as the basal diet. A total number of sixteen (16) WAD goats with an average live weight; 5.8 ± 0.6 kg were allotted on weight equalization into four (4) dietary treatments consisting of four goats per treatments in a completely randomized design. Four (4) diets were formulated to contain 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% AMSP. Data was collected on feed intake and nutrient intake was determined. Significant difference (P<0.05) were observed in all the nutrient intake parameters observed except the dry matter intake. Goats fed 40% AMSP recorded the highest total ash intake (27.01%), total acid detergent fibre (11.46%) and total cellulose intake (83.13%) compared with other dietary treatments. It can therefore be concluded that 40% AMSP can be used as potential sources of supplements in ruminants feed most especially during dry season as it enhanced nutrient intake.